60 GHz T/R Module Enables Short-range Multi-gigabit Communications

摘要

A number of wireless multimedia distribution applications under consideration for development include high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable replacement/uncompressed high-definition (HD) video streaming, mobile distributed computing, wireless docking stations, wireless gigabit Ethernet, fast bulky file transfer and wireless gaming. Additionally, some are looking to install a larger number of WPAN clients in an in-building environment without crosstalk amongst other users or other WLAN/LAN electronics. These broadband applications call for a significant increase in the capacity of wireless networks, far in excess of what can be accommodated in RF frequency bands. For several years, the 60 GHz region of the electromagnetic spectrum has received considerable interest due to benefits such as the availability of wide unlicensed bandwidth (up to 7 GHz in the US), the range-limited propagation characteristics (higher path loss and oxygen absorption of 15 dB/km) that allow high-density short-range links, and because of the short wavelength that allows very compact antenna structures. Hence, the 60 GHz spectrum provides the necessary bandwidth and inherent interference mitigation to provide multi-gigabit short-range communications (radial range of 10 meters or less).