WiGig

WiGig, alternatively known as 60 GHz Wi-Fi,^[1] refers to a set of 60 GHz wireless network protocols.^[2] It includes the current IEEE 802.11ad standard and also the IEEE 802.11ay standard.^[3]

The WiGig specification allows devices to communicate without wires at multi-gigabit speeds. It enables high-performance wireless data, display and audio applications that supplement the capabilities of previous wireless LAN devices. WiGig tri-band-enabled devices, which operate in the 2.4, 5 and 60 GHz bands, deliver data transfer rates up to 7 Gbit/s (for 11ad), about as fast as an 8-band 802.11ac transmission, and more than eleven times faster than the highest 802.11n rate, while maintaining compatibility with existing Wi-Fi devices. The 60 GHz millimeter wave signal cannot typically penetrate walls but can propagate by reflection from walls, ceilings, floors and objects using beamforming built into the WiGig system.^[4] When roaming away from 60 GHz coverage, the protocol can switch to make use of the other, lower bands, both of which can propagate through walls, with a much lower data rate where the higher rates are not needed.^[5][6]

802.11ay has a transmission rate of 20 to 40 Gbit/s and an extended transmission distance of 300 to 500 meters.^[7] 802.11ay should not be confused with the similarly named 802.11ax that was released in 2019. The 802.11ay standard is designed to run at much higher frequencies. The lower frequency of 802.11ax enables it to penetrate walls, something that the 11ay standard struggles to do.^[8] The name WiGig comes from Wireless Gigabit Alliance, the original association being formed to promote the adoption of IEEE 802.11ad. However, it is now certified by Wi-Fi Alliance.^[9]