Concepts - Introduction to 60GHz Unlicensed Wireless Communications
In 2001, the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set aside a continuous block of
7GHz of spectrum between 57-64GHz for wireless
communications. A major factor in this allocation with commercial
ramifications is that the spectrum is "unlicensed" - in other words, an
operator does not have to buy a license from the FCC before operating
equipment in that spectrum. The licensing process typically is very
expensive and time-consuming. Up until then, less than 0.3GHz of
bandwidth had been made available at lower frequency bands for
unlicensed communications. See Figure 1 below. 
The
57-64GHz band is located in the millimeter-wave portion of the
electromagnetic spectrum, where the wavelength varies from ten
millimeters (30GHz) down to one millimeter (300GHz). The
millimeter-wave portion of the RF spectrum has been largely unexploited
for commercial wireless applications. That is now changing. Telaxis has
used its well-established expertise in millimeter-wave products and
technologies to develop wireless products operating in that spectrum
that enable two-way wireless communications at data rates that
previously could only be accomplished with fiber optic cable. In
addition to the high-data rates that can be accomplished in this
spectrum, energy propagation in the 60GHz band has unique
characteristics that make possible many other benefits such as
excellent immunity to interference, high security, and frequency
re-use. In this paper, we will discuss in detail the benefits of
wireless communications in the 57-64GHz band.
The
57-64GHz band is located in the millimeter-wave portion of the
electromagnetic spectrum, where the wavelength varies from ten
millimeters (30GHz) down to one millimeter (300GHz). The
millimeter-wave portion of the RF spectrum has been largely unexploited
for commercial wireless applications. That is now changing. Telaxis has
used its well-established expertise in millimeter-wave products and
technologies to develop wireless products operating in that spectrum
that enable two-way wireless communications at data rates that
previously could only be accomplished with fiber optic cable. In
addition to the high-data rates that can be accomplished in this
spectrum, energy propagation in the 60GHz band has unique
characteristics that make possible many other benefits such as
excellent immunity to interference, high security, and frequency
re-use. In this paper, we will discuss in detail the benefits of
wireless communications in the 57-64GHz band.
References
- A consultation on a licence exempt approach for
Fixed Wireless Systems in the 60GHz Band
(Ofcom: Release of the 59-64GHz Band, July 2009) - Patrick Donegan: Backhaul Strategies for Mobile Carriers
(Heavy Reading Vol. 4, No. 4, March 2006) - P.F.M. Smulders: 60 GHz radio: prospects and future directions
(IEEE 2003) - Terabeam Corporation: Performance Characteristics of 60GHz Communication Systems
(Terabeam White Paper, March 2002) - Chris Koh: Benefits og 60GHz Unlicensed Wireless Communications
(YDI Wireless)