Information Technology

Scientists from the Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC) at Georgia Tech (in the USA) are testing the use of extremely high radio frequencies (60Ghz, which are currently unlicensed and free for anyone to use in the United States) to achieve broad bandwidth and high data transmission rates over short distances. They are testing wireless data transfer rates of 15 gigabits per second (Gbps) at a distance of 1 meter, 10 Gbps at 2 meters and 5 Gbps at 5 meters.

The input-output (I/O) system of current devices cannot reach such speeds, so the scientists are using advanced computer-aided design tools and testbed equipment to recalibrate system models and achieve the desired improvements in speed and functionality.

This new technology has the potential to be applied to numerous devices: external hard drives, laptop computers, MP3 players, mobile phones and many other gadgets that require data transfer. The users will be able to wirelessly connect any device that currently uses Firewire or a USB. Data centers could install racks of servers without the customary jumble of wires. At 10 Gbps, you could quickly synchronize two laptops or two iPods. Pinel, a GEDC research scientist, also ensures that this multi-gigabit wireless system would present no health concerns.

The designed system, expected to be available within 2 years, will be compatible with WLAN 802.11 – the standard used in most LANs today.

The IEEE (the international association of electrical engineers) is considering a 60 GHz standard to be called 802.15.3C.