Singapore, 20 October 2010 – As part of the applied research work co-sponsored by Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd’s (Exploit Technologies) flagship commercialisation initiative, researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have devised a revolutionary filtering solution for 60 GHz radio chipsets based on silicon-germanium (SiGe) process technology. This breakthrough in the interference prevention for chip-scale radio frequency (RF) and millimeter-wave radio overcomes the limitations of conventional filters. With the novel filtering solution, radio chipsets are smaller, cheaper, consume less energy, have enhanced compatibility and provide advance security.
Demand for high-speed wireless connectivity, greater bandwidth and faster data transfer rates has been fueled by the advent of high-definition (HD) multimedia applications as well as state-of-the-art electronic, computing and mobile devices. This in turn, generates greater focus on the development of highly-integrated radio chipsets in semiconductor technology. “The IEEE sets the application standards in the 60 GHz band through IEEE802.11ad] and Wireless Gigabit Alliance (WiGig). The 60 GHz band, allocated for unlicensed use worldwide, provides opportunities to create universal solutions. We are very happy that our team, being at the cutting edge of research and development, has successfully demonstrated the unique filtering solution for 60 GHz chipsets which can also be customised for other wireless front-end chipsets,” said Professor Kam Chan Hin, Chair, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (EEE), NTU.
Mr Philip Lim, Chief Executive Officer, Exploit Technologies, added, “Our commercialisation programme identifies technologies that have significant commercial impact, and millimeter wave is just one of them. Exploit Technologies works closely with research institutes, the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and R&D excellence centres to identify these technologies early in the research value chain and dedicate resources to adapt them for commercial use. We, at Exploit Technologies, are also on the constant look-out for opportunities to collaborate with industry partners to co-develop technologies for commercialisation.”
The innovative filter for highly-integrated 60 GHz chipsets furthers the development of new system architectures and wireless communication products including wireless-HDMI, high-speed wireless LAN and synchronisation of mobile phones with desktops/laptops, which offer consumers a near seamless user experience at virtually no-lag or latency, as well as data transmission rates at more than ten times faster than today’s fastest Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)! (See Annex B for more applications of 60 GHz technology).
Consumers can screen their PC content, be it HD videos, games or photos, to their television screens across their living room instantly without any lag or any cabled connection. The 60 GHz chipsets are so small, they can fit into any mobile device, and may even inspire mobile phone companies to offer low-cost, low-power, high-range wireless video capability with negligible latency for free, without adding any other wireless chipset to their handsets! This revolutionary technology thus, brings to market a truly ‘open’ concept of wireless communication and internet accessibility.
