| September 18, 2009 | |
| Mobile and Wireless Communications Technology Alert | |
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A NOVEL SILICON GERMANIUM-BASED 60 GHZ RADIO
A few years back, cellular network was dominated by voice traffic. However, with the ever-increasing proliferation of smartphones and high-end mobile devices and rising use of bandwidth intensive applications, cellular network traffic has now become predominantly data intensive. According to industry estimates, if the status quo continues, mobile network data traffic could potentially outgrow voice traffic by 2011. Consequently, cellular network operators are vigorously scouting for technologies and solutions that would enable them to bolster their backhaul infrastructure in a cost effective manner. The unlicensed 60 GHz spectrum, which is reputed for its ability to facilitate data rates in giga bits per second (Gbps) across short distances, is being considered by many as a potential enabler for mobile backhaul networks. Concurrently, 60 GHz spectrum is also touted as an ideal candidate for facilitating high definition (HD) video transmission and other media content around homes because technologies such as Wi-Fi and ultrawideband (UWB) are not capable of offering gigabit data rates. However, the widespread use of 60 GHz band for applications such as mobile backhaul is yet to take off due to the absence of silicon germanium-based solutions. Typically, 60 GHz solutions that are available in the market utilize gallium arsenide or indium phosphide semiconductors and such semiconductors are extremely expensive when compared to silicon germanium radios.
In an attempt to kick start the utilization of 60 GHz band for high-bandwidth communications, Vubiq Inc., headquartered at Aliso Viejo, California, US, has come out the first ever silicon-based radio that is capable of operating in the uncluttered 60 GHz band. In a nutshell, operators can attach their antenna to Vubiq’s waveguide modules to utilize the 60 GHz band for high speed, long range communications at low costs.
Vubiq Inc., has incorporated silicon-based Integrated Circuits (ICs) into a novel, patent pending waveguide packaging solution that facilitates low cost, high-volume production of these radios. In addition to that, the company has incorporated the radio into a standard WR-15 type waveguide so as to enable customers to directly outfit their own antenna or any other waveguide-based component. The waveguide radios also contain an embedded clock, intermediate frequency (IF) and other components for facilitating signal modulation and demodulation. However, the most notable aspect of Vubiq’s 60 GHz radio is its low cost. Since the waveguide module is silicon-based, its cost is 90% lesser than that of solutions offered by other 60 GHz solution developers.
Talking to Technical Insights, Adam Button, chief executive officer of Vubiq, says, "The mobile telecommunications infrastructure is being strained to its limits due to the ever-increasing usage of smart phones, specifically in urban areas where dense populations of these phones exist. Our waveguide modules offer a very nice solution to this bottleneck, because for a very low cost, telecom infrastructure companies can add a tremendous amount of incremental capacity to their networks by incorporating our radios for "last kilometer" distribution and backhaul."
Vubiq has garnered a lot of attention from cellular network operators and the mobile and wireless industry ever since the introduction of the 60 GHz silicon radios. The company has signed a supplier partnership with US-based IBM and is expected to finalize business partnerships with wireless vendors and operators by the end of 2009. In the future, we could expect a number of participants in the mobile and wireless industry to adopt Vubiq’s waveguide modules owing to its ability to offer high-data rates at distances of up to 1.5 km at extremely low costs.
Details: Adam G Button, Chief Executive Officer, Vubiq Inc., 65 Enterprise, Aliso Viejo, California, 92656, USA, Phone: +1-949-226-8405. E-mail: adam@vubiq.com. URL: www.vubiq.com.
Vubiq Announces Availability of Low Cost 60 GHz Waveguide Modules
Fully integrated radios capable of Gigabit-speed file transfer and video streaming through standard WR-15 waveguide interface.
ALISO VIEJO, CA, July 16, 2009 – Vubiq, Inc. today announced the commercial availability of its 60 GHz waveguide modules enabling low cost, extremely high speed applications utilizing the globally unlicensed 60 GHz spectrum. Designed with a standard WR-15 (UG-385/U) interface, Vubiq’s modules can be attached to any waveguide component, allowing companies and developers to leverage the power, speed, and cost-effectiveness of the 60 GHz band with their own system configurations. “Until now, 60 GHz development has been severely constrained by the high cost of the radios, which typically utilize Gallium Arsenide or Indium Phosphide semiconductors. Vubiq’s waveguide modules use Silicon Germanium-based radios, allowing us to offer them at a fraction of the price of GaAs and InP,” stated Adam Button, Vubiq’s CEO. “Given this huge cost advantage, a host of markets can now capitalize on the massive bandwidth available in the spectrum. We are now speaking with customers in telecommunications distribution, telecommunications backhaul, point-to-point data communications, and uncompressed high definition video transmission, just to name a few.”
Vubiq’s waveguide modules complement its other millimeter wave product offerings, which include 60 GHz micromodules featuring a built-in antenna for short range applications, and the VL300 video link, which is capable of transmitting pure, uncompressed HD video hundreds of meters.
“Current 60 GHz waveguide offerings use technologies that were designed for aerospace – with the associated cost, power and size preventing any meaningful penetration into commercial markets,” noted Mike Pettus, CTO of Vubiq. “Our focus is in bringing millimeter wave to volume applications; by utilizing a combination of silicon-based radios along with our proprietary packaging technologies, we have developed a product that can compete head to head with anything out there on performance, but at a fraction of the cost.”
Vubiq is now accepting orders for its waveguide modules, as well as a complete waveguide development system that allows for easy setup and operation.
Vubiq Announces Availability of Wireless Uncompressed Video Link Capable of 1.485 Gigabits per Second up to 100 Meters with Zero Latency
Able to transmit through fog, sand, and precipitation, the cost-effective link will be introduced at NAB Show.
ALISO VIEJO, CA, April 14, 2009 – Vubiq, Inc. today announced the introduction of its latest product, the VuLink VL300 wireless uncompressed video link. Targeted at the broadcast and professional video markets, this product will eliminate the need for a cable connection for video transport with absolutely no compression or coding of the video stream.
Utilizing the globally unlicensed 60 GHz spectrum, Vubiq has developed both the extremely high frequency radio technology and the baseband modulation technique that combine to create a low cost solution for streaming pure uncompressed HD video at a blazing 1.485 Gbps. "The broadcast industry worldwide has embraced high definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI), but transmission is currently constrained to either using tethered methods or lower bandwidth wireless options that add compression, coding, latency, and bit elimination, which ultimately reduce the quality of the video," said Adam Button, Vubiq’s CEO. "The VuLink VL300 is the only product available that eliminates the need for cabling at a very attractive price, delivering every single bit across the wireless link."
With potential applications for news gathering, event coverage, ad hoc networks, building to building links, and more, the VuLink VL300 is designed for fast and easy setup and teardown, with simple, standardized inputs and outputs – and also automatically handles standard definition SDI. Additionally, the directionality of the signal assures virtually no interference and high security.
"Because we are streaming pure uncompressed video, there is no need for additional processing at both ends of the link, which increases cost and latency," stated Mike Pettus, Vubiq’s CTO. "Remarkably, our system is actually faster than fiber – there is essentially zero lag time through the link."
At the NAB Show, Vubiq will be exhibiting the VL300 with Leader Instruments in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth C5531.
Vubiq Announces Availability of World’s First 60 GHz
Integrated Radio on a Chip – Smaller Than a Dime
Integrated solution will accelerate progress in Wireless HD Video, Wireless Gigabit LANs, and WPAN.
ALISO VIEJO, CA, Feb. 19, 2008 – Vubiq, Inc. today announced the availability of its 60 GHz integrated radio solution, enabling commercial, government, and academic institutions to utilize the unlicensed 57-64 GHz band for application development. Vubiq’s tiny radio modules (patent pending), packaged in a 10mm BGA, combine 60 GHz transmitters and receivers with integrated antennas, and are available in a cost-effective development system. "We have created the world’s first commercially available millimeter wave integrated radios and development system, which will open the floodgates for worldwide development of the next generation of extremely high speed wireless products, including wireless uncompressed high definition video, wireless local area and personal area networks, instantaneous file transfer, low cost radar, and many others," stated Adam Button, Vubiq’s CEO. "Just as we saw an incredible maturation of applications in the microwave (1 to 10 GHz) spectrum in the last decade, we will experience a similar explosion of millimeter wave (10 to 100 GHz) development in the next, and Vubiq will play a strong leadership role in that growth." The 60 GHz band, allocated for unlicensed use worldwide, allows for universal solutions.
"Utilizing Vubiq’s millimeter wave expertise, we have built low cost integrated radios that will enable high volume production," stated Mike Pettus, Vubiq’s CTO. "High speed baseband signals are interconnected directly to the radios, allowing up to 1.5 GHz modulation bandwidth at 60 GHz."
Vubiq’s development system includes a 60 GHz transmitter board and 60 GHz receiver board, each with a USB controller. Embedded control firmware and a simple GUI interface are included, easing setup and operation. Developers can now focus on their specific applications, unencumbered by hardware limitations.
Vubiq is now accepting orders. The basic development system is available, and additional transmitter and receiver boards and BGAs will also be available for purchase, as well as an optional Expansion Kit to allow for coaxial connections. To place an order or receive additional information, please visit www.vubiq.com.
About Vubiq
Located in Southern California, Vubiq is developing practical and cost-effective millimeter wave solutions for communications and radar applications. Utilizing its expertise in wireless systems, digital signal processing, packaging and antenna design, and design for manufacturing, Vubiq is firmly establishing its leadership position in millimeter wave development. Vubiq is a privately-held corporation backed by funding from a Fortune 20 company.