The 7 GHz of continuous bandwidth around the 60 GHz spectrum provides the spectral availability to achieve multi-gigabit per second data rates in a very cost effective, compact manner.  However, due to the physical characteristics of the 60 GHz frequency, additional technology is required to ensure smooth operation for most applications. SiBEAM’s Omnilink60 technology optimizes    60 GHz operation by addressing three challenges:

1. Directionality

SiBEAM’s advanced adaptive beam-steering technology takes advantage of the directional nature of 60 GHz signal transmission.

Due to physics, 60 GHz signals are highly directional in nature, only being transmitted and received in a particular focused direction.  Previously, this required careful pointing of antennas at each other to form a “line of sight”.  The system would then break if someone walked in between the transmitter and receiver.

SiBEAM has developed techniques to perform real-time, non-line-of-sight beam-steering, making the operation seamless and highly robust.  SiBEAM’s Omnilink60 systems automatically find the best direction to focus the energy.  And if there is no good direct line from the transmitter to the receiver, OmniLink60 will automatically find the best bounce off of walls, ceilings, floors, or any other object in the room, to allow non-line-of-sight communication. 

2. Cost

SiBEAM’s designs using standard low-cost CMOS technology make this technology affordable for the mass market.

Previously, exotic and costly materials and semiconductor manufacturing methods were needed to produce circuits running at 60 GHz, such as silicon germanium (SiGe) and gallium arsenide (GaAs).

SiBEAM is the first to develop working 60 GHz chipsets in CMOS. SiBEAM invented techniques to design 60 GHz circuits in standard CMOS processes conventionally used for other types of chips such microprocessors and consumer electronics components.  This allows mass market production of high-performance, low-cost wireless solutions

3. Large form factor

Previously, most 60 GHz systems required bulky packaging to handle the high frequency signals. SiBEAM’s integrated multi-element micro array antenna technology resolves this. SiBEAM has developed state-of-the-art techniques to integrate many antennas into a very small area using standard cost-effective packaging processes.

< class="maintext">How does it work?

While designing the OmniLink60 technology was no easy task, it makes operation and use very simple for the consumer.  They can just place the video devices such as displays, disc players, and set top boxes where they would like, turn them on, and Omnilink60 takes care of the rest.  This is how it works: 

1)    It will first establish a network with the devices in the room by automatically discovering them and exchanging information about their capabilities.  It then keeps alert for the introduction of new devices such as digital video cameras as they enter the room.

2)    When an audio or video connection is needed, the Omnilink60 technology surveys the room to locate the best path from the sender (such as a set top box) to the receiver (such as a display).  It then starts the transmission.

3)    If this best path is interrupted by someone walking in the middle of it, the Omnilink60 technology automatically finds a new direction to seamlessly continue the transmission without disruption in the picture.