Understanding WiGig and Its Technical Specifications

WiGig is a technology that allows for high-speed wireless communication between devices. It operates on the 60 GHz frequency band, which is much faster than traditional Wi-Fi.

This frequency band is particularly well-suited for WiGig because it has a much wider bandwidth than lower frequency bands, allowing for much faster data transfer rates.

WiGig devices can transfer data at speeds of up to 7 Gbps, making it ideal for applications that require high-bandwidth connectivity, such as streaming high-definition video and online gaming.

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WiGig is a technology that allows Wi-Fi devices to access the 60 GHz frequency band, expanding the Wi-Fi experience for various applications. This technology was introduced in 2016.

WiGig is designed to increase wireless connectivity speeds to reach the multi-gigabit range, making it ideal for applications that require high-speed data transfer. It achieves this by using the unlicensed 60 GHz frequency.

WiGig is not a typical WLAN connection, but rather a point-to-point connection between two devices with high data rates in the Gigabit range. This means it's not necessary to have a license to use WiGig.

WiGig products are popular for various uses, including wireless docking, simultaneous streaming of multiple ultra-high definition videos, and more immersive gaming experiences. Some other uses include fast download of HD movies, convenient public kiosk services, and easier handling of bandwidth-intensive applications in enterprise environments.

Some of the key benefits of WiGig include expanded capacity, reduced interference, and multi-gigabit per second speeds. This makes it an attractive option for applications that require high-speed data transfer.

WiGig supports data transmission rates up to 7 Gbit/s, which is significantly faster than the highest 802.11n rate.

The WiGig MAC and PHY Specification, version 1.1, is backward compatible with the IEEE 802.11 standard, ensuring seamless communication with existing devices.

WiGig devices can achieve high performance and low power consumption simultaneously, thanks to the physical layer's design.

The specification includes protocol adaptation layers for specific system interfaces, such as data buses for PC peripherals and display interfaces for HDTVs, monitors, and projectors.

WiGig uses the Single Carrier Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (SC-OFDM) method, which allows for high data rates with relatively simple modulation procedures.

Here are the main technical characteristics of WiGig:

The technical specifications of WiGig devices are truly impressive. They support data transmission rates up to 7 Gbit/s, making them over eleven times faster than the highest 802.11n rate.

This is a significant improvement over previous Wi-Fi standards, and it's made possible by the WiGig MAC and PHY Specification, version 1.1. The specification includes a physical layer that enables low power and high performance WiGig devices, guaranteeing interoperability and communication at gigabit per second rates.

One of the key features of WiGig devices is their ability to support beamforming, which enables robust communication at up to 10 meters. This is made possible by the use of phased array antenna beamforming, which allows the beams to move within the coverage area through modification of the transmission phase of individual antenna elements.

The specification also includes protocol adaptation layers to support specific system interfaces, including data buses for PC peripherals and display interfaces for HDTVs, monitors, and projectors. This ensures that WiGig devices can communicate with a wide range of devices and systems.

Here are the key capabilities of the WiGig MAC and PHY Specification, version 1.1:

WiGig uses the Single Carrier Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (SC-OFDM) method to achieve high data rates.

This method allows for faster data transmission compared to other methods used in lower frequency bands.

WiGig achieves data transmission rates of 6.76 Gbps with the use of beamforming to align the emission pattern of antennas.

In contrast, other methods like OFDMA and 256-QAM or 1024-QAM are used in lower frequency bands to achieve comparably high data rates.

Channels play a crucial role in WiGig technology, and it's essential to understand how they work.

The 60 GHz WiGig channels operate in the 57.24-65.88 GHz frequency range, with each channel having a specific center frequency and bandwidth.

There are a total of 40 channels available, with channels 1-8 listed in the table below.

Regional spectrum allocations can vary, which may limit the number of available channels in certain areas. As of October 2016, the US is the only region supporting all six channels.

The main difference between WiGig and the "normal" WLAN standard is the frequency range used. WiGig uses a 60 GHz band, which covers a frequency range of 57 to 66 GHz.

WiGig offers much wider bandwidth channels compared to the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands used in 802.11ac and 802.11ax. An overall bandwidth of approx. 8.5 Gigahertz can be accessed, divided into 4 channels with a bandwidth of 2.16 GHz each.

In contrast, 802.11ac and 802.11ax have maximum channel bandwidths of 80 or 160 MHz in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands.

WiGig is designed for broadband, wireless point-to-point connections over short distances, unlike 802.11ac and 802.11ax which are designed for multi-user-networks spanning several rooms.

The use of the 60 GHz band results in higher signal attenuation in free space and through objects or walls, severely limiting the maximum achievable range of the wireless signals.

WiGig is suitable for wireless transmission of high-resolution 4K video signals or similar signals from the area of home entertainment, making it a great option for streaming movies and TV shows.

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WiGig's technical characteristics set it apart from other wireless technologies. It uses the 60 GHz band, which provides a higher overall bandwidth.

This allows for simpler modulation procedures, using the Single Carrier Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (SC-OFDM) method. WiGig achieves data transmission rates of 6.76 Gbps.

WiGig's energy-saving mode is a key feature for battery-operated devices. It also offers two modes: high-performance data transmission with a high data rate, and robust data transmission with a lower data rate.

WiGig is a Wi-Fi technology, specifically one of the many Wi-Fi (MAC/PHY) technologies listed.

WiGig has already made its mark in the tech world. Currently, we see it being used in screen sharing and Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, with companies like Blu Wireless, Intel, and Qualcomm specializing in WiGig semiconductors.

Dell is now including WiGig in some of its laptops and wireless docking stations, making it more accessible to consumers. New tri-band wireless routers are also being developed, supporting 802.11n at 2.4GHz, 802.11ac at 5GHz, and 802.11ad at 60GHz.

Some notable devices that support WiGig include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 802.11ac/ad ready SoC, which has made its way onto cellphone handsets. The first major handset manufacturer, Google, has also announced two models, the Pixel and Pixel XL, which are based on this chipset.

These devices have been officially listed by the Wi-Fi Alliance as the first Wi-Fi Certified WiGig products, providing a basis for future interoperability tests and certification.

WiGig competes with other 60 GHz frequency band transmission standards like WirelessHD in some applications. This competition is a key aspect of the WiGig technology's development and adoption.

WiGig has a wide range of applications, including wireless displays, transmission of ultra-high-resolution videos, and wireless monitor interfaces. These applications require high-bandwidth connections without the need for intermediate routers.

Some examples of WiGig applications include:

WiGig is designed for high-bandwidth applications that require a direct connection between devices. It's perfect for home entertainment systems that need to transmit large amounts of data wirelessly.

Wireless displays are a key application of WiGig, enabling the transmission of audio/visual data without the need for cables. This technology also enables wireless DisplayPort and other display interfaces that include the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection 2.0 feature.

The WiGig Display Extension supports wireless transmission of ultra-high-definition videos from devices like smartphones and laptops to smart TVs. This is especially useful for applications like virtual reality headsets and 4K video devices.

WiGig can also be used for wireless monitor interfaces on PCs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. This allows for a seamless and cable-free connection between devices.

Here are some examples of WiGig applications:

The WiGig standard also enables simultaneous streaming of multiple ultra-high definition videos and movies, making it ideal for applications like wireless docking and public kiosk services.

WiGig has competition in the form of other 60 GHz frequency band transmission standards like WirelessHD in some applications.

WiGig competes with WirelessHD in areas where high-speed wireless connectivity is needed, such as streaming video content.

This competition has driven innovation in the WiGig technology, leading to faster and more reliable connections.

WiGig was introduced in 2016, allowing Wi-Fi devices to access the uncongested 60 GHz frequency band.

This expanded Wi-Fi experience is perfect for virtual reality, multimedia streaming, gaming, wireless docking, and enterprise applications. Users benefit from the expanded capacity, reduced interference, and multi-gigabit per second speeds.

WiGig products are used for various purposes, including wireless docking between devices, simultaneous streaming of multiple ultra-high definition videos, and more immersive gaming, augmented reality, and virtual reality experiences.

Some popular uses for WiGig products include: