Millimeter wave technology pioneer SiBeam announced the release of its new SB6501 and SB6510 UltraGig network processor and RF transceiver chipset, expanding on the company's indoor gigabit solutions.
The 802.11ad version of Wi-Fi, also known as WiGig, adds a new frequency band, 60 GHz, to the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands that are used for Wi-Fi. SiBeam says its WiGig-compliant chipset delivers multi-gigabit throughput for ultra-fast data access and 4K ultra high-definition (UHD) video transmission--ideal for smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks, access points and wireless docks.
SiBEAM's SB6501 and SB6510 WiGig-compliant chipset is geared for use in smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks, access points and wireless docks. (Image source: SiBeam)
WiGig 802.11ad, with up to 7 gigabits per second of bandwidth, is expected to transform future Wi-Fi connectivity by adding network capacity in the unlicensed 60 GHz spectrum and providing throughput up to 10 times faster than today's Wi-Fi technology, according to SiBeam.
David Kuo, senior director of marketing at SiBeam, told FierceWirelessTech that SiBeam's solution is ideally suited for speedy communications within a single room. It does not go through walls, but 60 GHz provides a wide channel and high data throughput to support wireless video. Because the signal does not go beyond the room, there's less chance of someone hacking into it.
Sunnyvale, Calif.-based SiBeam was founded in 2004, acquired by Silicon Image in 2011 and re-launched in January of this year. It's a wholly owned subsidiary of Silicon Image and has established itself as a leader in millimeter-wave on CMOS technology and boasts a strong 60 GHz patent portfolio. In fact, it claims to be one of few companies in the world that can produce millimeter-wave on CMOS.
Intel and Qualcomm both have platforms integrating the 802.11ad standard into their platforms. SiBeam says it offers an alternative.
While it's also is part of the wider Internet of Things (IoT), Kuo said what SiBeam is offering is significantly different than a technology like Zigbee, which is really about sensors and providing updates on temperatures and thermostats in the home. What SiBeam is providing is gigabit speeds for watching 4K movies, for example. "It's IoT but very different," he said.
WiGig and 802.11ad represent the next frontier in Wi-Fi, which is extremely congested. "Wi-Fi has run out of gas and you need additional bandwidth and a fat pipe," Kuo said, adding that the 60 GHz channels are "huge," providing much more bandwidth for future applications.
For more:
- see the press release
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