Data transfer at 60 GHz

Rapid transfer of a high-definition movie from a PC to a mobile phone — plus a host of other media and data possibilities — is approaching reality.

The Georgia Electronic Design Centre in the US has produced a CMOS chip capable of transmitting 60 GHz digital RF signals.

The design could speed up commercialisation of high-speed, short-range wireless applications, through the low cost and power consumption of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology.

Among the many potential 60 GHz applications are virtual wireless desktop-computer set-ups and data centres, wireless home DVD systems, in-store kiosks that transfer movies to handheld devices in seconds and the potential to move gigabytes of photos or video from a camera to a PC almost instantly.

Consumers could see products capable of ultra-fast short-range data transfer within two or three years.

The chip is the first 60 GHz embedded device for multimedia multi-gigabit wireless use. The chip unites 60 GHz CMOS digital radio capability and multi-gigabit signal processing in an ultra-compact package.

Industry group Ecma International recently announced a worldwide standard for the RF technology that makes 60 GHz 'multi-gigabit' data transfer possible. The specifications for this technology, which involves chips capable of sending RF signals in the 60 GHz range, are expected to be published as an ISO standard this year.