New research at the Georgia Institute of Technology could soon make that tangle of wires under desks and in data centers a thing of the past. Scientists at Tech’s Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC) are investigating the use of extremely high radio frequencies (RF) to achieve broad bandwidth and high data transmission rates over short distances. Within three years, this “multi-gigabit wireless” approach could result in the next generation home multimedia and wireless data connections able to transfer an entire DVD in seconds. The research focuses on RF frequencies around 60 gigahertz, which are currently unlicensed — free for anyone to use — in the United States. GEDC researchers have already achieved wireless data-transfer rates of 15 gigabits per second (Gbps) at a distance of 1 meter, 10 Gbps at 2 meters and 5 Gbps at 5 meters. “The goal here is to maximize data throughput to make possible a host of new wireless applications for home and office connectivity,” said Prof. Joy Laskar, GEDC director and lead researcher on the project along with Stephane Pinel.

Future possibilities: GEDC’s multi-gigabit wireless research is expected to lend itself to two major types of applications, data and video, said Pinel, a GEDC research scientist. Very high speed, peer-to-peer data connections could be available in less than two years. Devices such as external hard drives, laptop computers, MP-3 players, cell phones, commercial kiosks and others could transfer huge amounts of data in seconds. And data centers could install racks of servers without the customary jumble of wires. “Our work represents a huge leap in available throughput,” Pinel said. Currently, he added, the biggest challenge is to further increase data rates and decrease the already-low power consumption, with a goal to double current transmission rates by next year. “The promise of multi-gigabit wireless is tremendous,” Laskar said. “The combination of short-range functionality and enormous bandwidth makes possible a whole range of consumer and business applications that promise great utility.” Philips Electronics is already evaluating the technology, according to a company official. Laskar believes the hardware for transferring files could be available by 2009, and new TV sets could be built with the high-speed chips the next year. Anh-Vu Pham, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of California at Davis, said the technology will create a new standard and a new frenzy of competition in the electronics industry. “You’ll have a lot of applications — from HDTV to flash drives — without using any type of cable. Once you solve that problem, you open up so many applications.” The technology could get a big boost if the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a top international association of electrical engineers, decides to create a standard for the spectrum. The group is weighing the decision now and could decide by next year. “You’re talking about moving gigabits in seconds, your whole iPod library, your whole video library,” said Laskar. “With this type of technology, you can compete — and pretty much crush — the wired competition.” Go to: http://www.gatech.edu/news-room/release.php?id=1431 and http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070902/ap_on_hi_te/untangling_the_tangle

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