Wireless Gigabit Alliance

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WiGig Alliance logo WiGig Alliance Logo.jpg
WiGig Alliance logo

The Wireless Gigabit Alliance [1] (WiGig Alliance) [2] was a trade association that developed and promoted the adoption of multi-gigabit per second speed wireless communications technology "WiGig" operating over the unlicensed 60 GHz frequency band. The alliance was subsumed by the Wi-Fi Alliance in March 2013. [3]

Contents

The formation of the WiGig alliance to promote the IEEE 802.11ad protocol was announced in May 2009. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] The completed version 1.0 WiGig specification was announced in December 2009. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] In May 2010, WiGig announced the publication of its specification, the opening of its Adopter Program, and the liaison agreement with the Wi-Fi Alliance to cooperate on the expansion of Wi-Fi technologies. [15] [16] In June 2011, WiGig announced the release of its certification-ready version 1.1 specification. [15]

Members

Among the companies that comprise the board of directors are:

Contributor members include:

Ali Sadri is the president and chairman of the board of WiGig Alliance, and also founded the movement. [20] Sadri directs all activities throughout the alliance, from leading the board of directors to providing support for the technical working groups.[ citation needed ]

History

The Wireless gigabit alliance set about its task for creating faster and more efficient communications technology in 2007.[ citation needed ] Their idea was to set about creating wirelessly interconnected home entertainment and office devices, like PCs, tablets, smartphones and displays, entirely removing the need for wires. They also wanted devices to be constantly connected and ready to transfer. Thus eliminating the need to have both a laptop and a tablet, as a device could connect straight to a display. In May 2009, the alliance announced something,[ clarification needed ] and WiGig 1.0, announced in December of the same year. In 2010, WiGig and the Wi-Fi alliance announced a cooperation agreement. The agreement combined 60 GHz with traditional Wi-Fi networking that extended the range at slower speeds and helped signals to go through walls to cover entire homes. On November 3, 2010, the WiGig Alliance and the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) announced an association to define the next generation standard wireless display technology. VESA and WiGig Alliance agreed to share technology specifications to develop multi-gigabit wireless Display Port capabilities.

The official standard was published by the Standards Association of the IEEE in December 2012 as IEEE 802.11ad-2012 as an amendment to the overall IEEE 802.11 standard family. [21]

In January 2013, after more than two years of collaboration, the Wireless Gigabit Alliance announced it would merge with the Wi-Fi Alliance. The merger was finalized in March. [3] Although no longer a separate organization, the WiGig technology kept its name, with the Wi-Fi Alliance planning to jointly certify both devices in late 2013.

On September 9, 2013, a statement revealed that the WiGig protocol would be used in a new wireless version of USB through a deal between the Wi-Fi Alliance and the USB Implementers Forum. The Wireless USB standard would use existing USB 2.0 and 3.0 drivers. The Wi-Fi alliance transferred WiGig wireless transmission technology to the USB Implementers Forum as it is expected that WiGig certified products will implement USB functionality.[ citation needed ]

Applications

On November 3, 2010, WiGig Alliance announced the WiGig version 1.0 A/V and I/O protocol adaptation layer (PAL) specifications. [15] The application specifications have been developed to support specific system interfaces including extensions for PC peripherals and display interfaces for HDTVs, monitors and projectors.

WiGig Display Extension

WiGig Bus Extension and WiGig Serial Extension. The WiGig Bus Extension (WBE) was available to members in 2011. [22]

License

On May 10, 2010, the Wi-Fi Alliance and WiGig Alliance announced a cooperation agreement for multi-gigabit wireless networking. The Wi-Fi Alliance and the WiGig Alliance shared technology specifications for the development of a Wi-Fi Alliance certification program supporting Wi-Fi operation in the 60 GHz frequency band. [23] [24] [25]

On November 3, 2010, the WiGig Alliance and the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) announced a liaison for standard wireless display technology. VESA and WiGig Alliance agreed to share technology specifications to develop multi-gigabit wireless DisplayPort capabilities and create a certification program for wireless DisplayPort products. [26]

On June 28, 2011, the WiGig Alliance announced becoming an Adopter of HDMI Licensing, LLC to further provide WiGig Display Extension (WDE) support for HDMI mapping. WDE is the only 60 GHz specification that defines a framework to connect to DisplayPort monitors and HDMI TVs, enabling applications such as the wireless transmission of compressed or uncompressed video. [15] [27]

Competition

WiGig competes with WirelessHD in some applications. WirelessHD transmits in the same 60 GHz band used by WiGig.

See also

Related Research Articles

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Wi-Fi Alliance a non-profit organization that promotes Wi-Fi technology and certifies Wi-Fi products

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DisplayPort digital display interface

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WiMedia Alliance organization

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WirelessHD, also known as UltraGig, is a proprietary standard owned by Silicon Image for wireless transmission of high-definition video content for consumer electronics products. The consortium currently has over 40 adopters; key members behind the specification include Broadcom, Intel, LG, Panasonic, NEC, Samsung, SiBEAM, Sony, Philips and Toshiba. The founders intend the technology to be used for Consumer Electronic devices, PCs, and portable devices.

IEEE 802.11  – or more correctly IEEE 802.11-1997 or IEEE 802.11-1999 – refer to the original version of the IEEE 802.11 wireless networking standard released in 1997 and clarified in 1999. Most of the protocols described by this early version are rarely used today.

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Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) is a consumer electronic specification for a wireless HDTV connectivity throughout the home.

WiGig, alternatively known as 60GHz Wi-Fi, refers to a set of 60 GHz wireless network protocols. It includes the current IEEE 802.11ad standard and also the upcoming IEEE 802.11ay standard.

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IEEE 802.11ac is a wireless networking standard in the 802.11 set of protocols, providing high-throughput wireless local area networks (WLANs) on the 5 GHz band. The standard was developed in the IEEE Standards Association from 2008 through 2013 and published in December 2013. The standard has been retroactively labelled as Wi-Fi 5 by Wi-Fi Alliance.

WiDi

Wireless Display (WiDi) was technology developed by Intel that enabled users to stream music, movies, photos, videos and apps without wires from a compatible computer to a compatible HDTV or through the use of an adapter with other HDTVs or monitors. Intel WiDi supported HD 1080p video quality, 5.1 surround sound, and low latency for interacting with applications sent to the TV from a PC.

IEEE 802.11ad is an amendment to the IEEE 802.11 wireless networking standard, developed to provide a Multiple Gigabit Wireless System (MGWS) standard at 60 GHz frequency, and is a networking standard for WiGig networks. Because it uses the V band of millimeter wave (mmW) frequency, the range of IEEE 802.11ad communication would be rather limited compared to other conventional Wi-Fi systems. However, the high frequency allows it to use more bandwidth which in turn enables the transmission of data at high data rates up to multiple gigabits per second, enabling usage scenarios like transmission of uncompressed UHD video over the wireless network.

IEEE 802.11ah is a wireless networking protocol published in 2017 to be called Wi-Fi HaLow as an amendment of the IEEE 802.11-2007 wireless networking standard. It uses 900 MHz license exempt bands to provide extended range Wi-Fi networks, compared to conventional Wi-Fi networks operating in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It also benefits from lower energy consumption, allowing the creation of large groups of stations or sensors that cooperate to share signals, supporting the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT). The protocol's low power consumption competes with Bluetooth and has the added benefit of higher data rates and wider coverage range.

References

  1. ↑ "Wireless Gigabit Alliance Web Page".
  2. ↑ WiGig Alliance allies with Wi-Fi group for superfast wireless
  3. 1 2 Stetson, Karl (March 5, 2013). "Wi-Fi Alliance® and Wireless Gigabit Alliance finalize unification" (Press release). Austin, TX: Edelman. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ Nitsche, Thomas; Cordeiro, Carlos; Flores, Adriana; Knightly, Edward; Perahia, Eldad; Widmer, Joerg (December 11, 2014). "IEEE 802.11ad: directional 60 GHz communication for multi-Gigabit-per-second Wi-Fi [Invited Paper]". IEEE Communications Magazine. 52 (12): 132–141. doi:10.1109/MCOM.2014.6979964.
  5. ↑ Higginbotham, Stacey (May 6, 2009). "WiGig Alliance to Push 6 Gbps Wireless in the Home". GigaOm. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  6. ↑ Takahash, Dean (2009-05-06). "WiGig Alliance seeks to bring super-fast wireless video transfer to homes". VentureBeat.
  7. ↑ "WiGig Unites 60 GHz Wireless Development". Wi-Fi Net News.
  8. ↑ Higgins, Tim (2009-05-08). "Why WiGig?". Small Net Builder.
  9. ↑ Reardon, Marguerite (2009-05-07). "Tech giants back superfast WiGig standard". CNET.
  10. ↑ Murph, Darren (2009-12-10). "WiGig Alliance completes multi-gigabit 60 GHz wireless specification: let the streaming begin". Engadget.
  11. ↑ Merritt, Rick (2009-12-10). "WiGig group gives first peak at 60 Ghz spec". EE Times.
  12. ↑ Hachman, Mark (2009-12-10). "WiGig Alliance Finalizes Spec, Tri-Band Wi-Fi in 2010?". PC Mag.
  13. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (2009-12-10). "WiGig Alliance creates next-generation wireless networking standard". Venture Beat.
  14. ↑ Lawson, Stephen (2009-12-10). "WiGig Fast Wireless Group Finishes Standard". PC Mag.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "WiGig Alliance Announces Completion of its Multi-Gigabit Wireless Specification". Businesswire.
  16. ↑ "Wi-Fi Alliance and WiGig Alliance to Cooperate on Expansion of Wi-Fi Technologies". PR Newswire.
  17. ↑ Allegro DVT
  18. ↑ Peraso Technologies, Inc.
  19. ↑ Sivers IMA
  20. ↑ Geuss, Megan (2012-01-11). "WiGig Alliance President Ali Sadri Talks about the Future of Connectivity". PCWorld. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  21. ↑ IEEE Standard for Information technology--Telecommunications and information exchange between systems—Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements-Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications Amendment 3: Enhancements for Very High Throughput in the 60 GHz Band. IEEE SA. December 24, 2012. doi:10.1109/IEEESTD.2012.6392842. ISBN   978-0-7381-8096-0.
  22. ↑ Robinson, Daniel (2011-06-28). "WiGig Alliance issues 1.1 update for next-generation wireless". V3.co.
  23. ↑ Ngo, Dong (2010-05-11). "Wi-Fi Alliance to develop speedy 60 GHz band". CNET.
  24. ↑ Murph, Darren (2010-05-11). "Wi-Fi Alliance and WiGig sync up for 60 GHz WiFi". Engadget.
  25. ↑ Kelly, Gordon (2010-05-11). "WiGig Deals Bring Multi-Gigabit WiFi Ever Closer". TrustedReviews.
  26. ↑ "WiGig Alliance and VESA to Collaborate on Next Generation Wireless DisplayPort". 2010-11-03.
  27. ↑ Shankland, Stephen (2011-06-28). "60 GHz tech promises wireless docking, USB, HDMI". CNET.
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