Wireless: 60GHz Technologies and

Testing
With the increase in bandwidth-hungry wireless applications such as high definition
uncompressed video streaming, wireless display, and large file transfer, this has driven demand
for technologies that can support larger bandwidth. The 60GHz or “mm-wave” wireless
technologies being introduced now will provide an advantage to manufacturers and consumers
looking for improved performance in wireless connectivity.

These 60GHz technologies operate in the unlicensed bands and typically operate between 57
GHz to 66 GHz. Within this frequency range, there are 4 channels allocated. Each of the
channels has an approximate bandwidth of 2GHz. And, the throughput of this technology can be
as much as 6.75Gbps (or 6,750 Mbps), compared to the typical 802.11a/b/g/n technologies,
around 5 – 150 Mbps! Since the wavelength of 60GHz is approximately 5 millimeters, this
technology is sometimes referred to as millimeter-wave (mm-wave).

While this technology has some great benefits, there are some down sides. Compared to the
lower frequency counterparts of Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n operating at 2.4 and 5GHz, transmission at
60 GHz covers less distance for a given power. This is due to the increased path loss (loss over 1
m at 60 GHz is 68 dB as opposed to 46 dB at 5 GHz). Additionally, at these high frequencies, the
transmission is very directional, sort of like a laser beam, requiring clear line-of-sight between
devices. However, with the breakthrough of “dynamic beam forming and beam steering”
technology, engineers can take advantage of multipath and bounce the transmission around
objects and obstructions. Certainly, this technology has introduced new possibilities in use of
wireless communications.

And, even some of the 60GHz technology downsides are being leveraged as a positive. While
distance attenuation and obstructions may prevent transmission, it can be a benefit to limit the
opportunity for “theft” or eavesdropping of protected content. In fact, 60 GHz was first proposed
for battlefield communications just for this reason. Since the low-power transmissions will not
propagate very far, 60GHz technologies have less likelihood of co-channel interference and
increases frequency re-use density.

There are two main platforms for 60GHz consumer wireless technologies – WirelessHD, and
WiGig now known as IEEE 802.11ad. UL conducts testing on both of these technologies and can
assist with testing and certification to the following regulatory standards, to list the most
common ones:

 United States – FCC Part 15, Subpart C, Sub-clause 15.255

 Canada – RSS-210, Issue 8, Annex 13
 Europe – ETSI EN 302 567, Broadband Radio Access Networks (BRAN); 60 GHz
Multiple-Gigabit WAS/RLAN Systems; Harmonized EN covering the essential
requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive
  Australia – AS/NZS 4268, Radio Equipment and Systems – Short Range Devices
 Taiwan – LP0002, Low Power Radio Frequency Devices
 Japan – Japan Radio Law, Article 2, Clause 1, Item 8
 Korea – MIC Standard “2014-50호7.16”
UL Fremont is the only third party test lab authorized by the WirelessHD Consortium, to
perform RF, Protocol and Interoperability tests in accordance with the WirelessHD Specification
and WirelessHD Compiance Test Specification.

UL Fremont is a certified Wi-Fi Alliance test lab, currently performing evaluations of

interoperability for 802.11 a/b/g/n and ac profiles. UL is helping support the 802.11ad
certification program.