Panasonic develops 60GHz wireless technology for mobile devices

JAPANESE ELECTRONICS MAKER Panasonic has developed a 60GHz multi-gigabit wireless circuit technology for mobile devices that could allow wireless speeds up to 20 times faster than current technology.

The wireless electronics will use the 60GHz band instead of the traditional 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands used for mobile wireless connections. This band is wider than the others, therefore allowing a significant speed increase, and is capable of sending a 30 minute compressed high-definition video within just 10 seconds.

The 60GHz band traditionally has been used only for TVs and other stationary devices, mainly because wider frequency bands have significantly higher power consumption.

This brings up the question of how efficient Pansonic's new wireless technology might be, because if an increase in speed comes at an increase in power cost it will be difficult to sell this to mobile users, who already suffer from high power consumption on smartphones and tablets.

Panasonic is attempting to allay power fears by saying that it has optimised the transceiver core and peripheral circuits for mobile devices, resulting in a 1W low-power wireless design. Which, if true, could really open the doors for high-speed mobile wireless.

The technology also features what Panasonic claims is the world's lowest noise signal generator, forward error correction for increased reliability, and support for both the WiGig and IEEE802.11a/d specifications.

Hinting at possible litigation in the future, Panasonic said that it has 16 patents at home and abroad relating to this technology, some of which are awaiting approval. If this really does open up the 60GHz band to mobile phone and internet use, then Panasonic could see a lot of companies flock to licence its technology.

Panasonic will showcase the technology at the International Conference on Communications in Kyoto, Japan next week. µ