Wireless communications technology has become ubiquitous, but 60GHz wireless—an example of “millimeter wave” technology—remains an untapped opportunity. Less commonly used than the cellular communication frequency bands and the 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands, the 60GHz band offers unique properties that make it ideal for high-speed, short-range applications.
Here’s a look at what makes 60GHz wireless so unique, its strengths, challenges, and how Virewirx’s innovative technology is unlocking its full potential.
Breaking Down 60GHz
Wireless communications take place across the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, which covers a vast range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz. Above 300GHz, you’ll come across infrared, visible light and eventually X-rays. 60GHz is part of the “millimeter wave” band (30–300 GHz), sitting well above typical Wi-Fi frequencies. This higher frequency has many advantages due to the unique physics of millimeter waves.
Key Characteristics of 60GHz Signals
Extremely High Frequency: Enables wide bandwidth channels, allowing for multi-gigabit data rates.
Short Wavelengths (~5 mm): Enables directional transmission using compact antenna arrays.
Limited Propagation: 60GHz signals struggle to pass through walls or dense objects, making line-of-sight important. High signal loss requires smart beamforming to maintain fast, reliable connections for mobile users.
Advantages of 60GHz Technology
60GHz wireless has notable advantages, especially in scenarios where high data rates and low latency are critical:
Multi-Gigabit Speeds: These high data rates enable massive throughput for data-heavy applications like VR streaming.
Globally Unlicensed: The spectrum is free to use all over the world.
Reduced Interference: Its shorter range reduces interference with other networks, making it ideal for dense environments.
Improved Security: The limited propagation range offers a layer of security by minimizing data leakage beyond intended boundaries.
Though high frequency wireless communication comes with challenges like limited range and line of sight requirements, Virewirx has engineered solutions to many of these limitations with our VX60 system.
Applications of 60GHz Wireless
Given these characteristics, 60GHz wireless so far found its niche in a few specialized use cases, such as, point-to-point data transfer and indoor positioning. VX60 leverages 60GHz for its most powerful use yet.
Multi-link high-speed communication with seamless mobility: VX60 is geared towards applications that require high data throughput per unit area with mobility. Multi-user, free roam VR/XR is an ideal use case. Emerging applications for telemetry, data collection for predictive analytics, that need to move large amounts of data per unit area quickly, are also an excellent fit for VX60.
Comparing 60GHz to Other Wireless Technologies
60GHz isn’t necessarily a replacement for Wi-Fi or 5G—it’s a powerful complement.
It won’t interfere with other wireless networks. And with higher data rates and lower latency than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, 60GHz is perfect for high-throughput needs like VR and rapid data transfer. It’s a specialized tool that shines in targeted, high-performance applications.
Future Prospects
The future of 60GHz technology is promising. As devices and infrastructure improve, 60GHz will become even more accessible in applications where high throughput is essential.
In sum, 60GHz wireless is a powerful complement to Wi-Fi and 5G, with unique strengths for data-intensive, high-speed, short-range applications. Its global unlicensed status unlocks new possibilities, and Virewirx is driving progress with our innovative technology.