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. The WiGig specification allows devices to communicate without wires at multi-gigabit speeds. It enables high performance wireless data, display and audio applications that supplement the capabilities of previous wireless LAN devices. WiGig tri-band enabled devices, which operate in the 2.4, 5 and 60 GHz bands, deliver data transfer rates up to 7 Gbit/s, about as fast as an 8-band 802.11ac transmission, and more than 11 times faster than the highest 802.11n rate, while maintaining compatibility with existing Wi-Fi devices. The 60 GHz millimeter wave signal cannot typically penetrate walls but can propagate off reflections from walls, ceilings, floors and objects using beamforming built into the WiGig system. When roaming away from the main room, the protocol can switch to make use of the other lower bands at a much lower rate, both of which can propagate through walls. The name WiGig comes from Wireless Gigabit Alliance, the original association being formed to promote the adaption of IEEE 802.11ad, however it is now certified by Wi-Fi Alliance.
History
In May 2009, formation of Wireless Gigabit Alliance was announced to promote the IEEE 802.11ad protocol.
In December 2009, The completed version 1.0 WiGig specification was announced.
In May 2010, WiGig Alliance 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.
In June 2011, WiGig announced the release of its certification-ready version 1.1 specification.
In December 2012, the IEEE Standards Association published IEEE 802.11ad-2012 as an amendment to the overall IEEE 802.11 standard family.
Physical layer enables low power and high performance WiGig devices, guaranteeing interoperability and communication at gigabit per second rates
Protocol adaptation layers are being developed to support specific system interfaces including data buses for PC peripherals and display interfaces for HDTVs, monitors and projectors
Support for beamforming, enabling robust communication at up to 10 meters. The beams can move within the coverage area through modification of the transmission phase of individual antenna elements, which is called phased array antenna beamforming.
Widely used advanced security and power management for WiGig devices
Applications
On November 3, 2010, WiGig Alliance announced the WiGig version 1.0 A/V and I/O protocol adaptation layer specifications. 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
Supports wireless transmission of audio/visual data
Offers key A/V applications, such as the transmission of lightly compressed or uncompressed video from a computer or digital camera to an HDTV, monitor or projector
WiGig Bus Extension and WiGig Serial Extension. The WiGig Bus Extension was available to members in 2011.
Define high-performance wireless implementations of widely used computer interfaces over 60 GHz
Enable multi-gigabit wireless connectivity between any two devices, such as connection to storage and other high-speed peripherals
Competition
WiGig competes with other 60 GHz frequency band transmission standards like WirelessHD in some applications.
Channels
Regional spectrum allocations vary by region limiting the available number of channels in some regions. So far, the US is the only region supporting all six channels while other regions are considering to follow suit.
