News

17 July 2009

 

Vubiq launches low-cost SiGe-based 60GHz waveguide radio modules

Vubiq Inc of Aliso Viejo, CA, USA has announced the commercial availability of its 60GHz waveguide modules, enabling low-cost, high-speed applications using the globally unlicensed 60GHz spectrum.

The fully integrated radios are capable of Gigabit-speed file transfer and video streaming through a standard WR-15 (UG-385/U) waveguide interface. The modules can be attached to any waveguide component, allowing developers to leverage the power, speed, and cost-effectiveness of the 60GHz band with their own system configurations.

“Until now, 60GHz development has been severely constrained by the high cost of the radios, which typically utilize gallium arsenide or indium phosphide semiconductors,” says CEO Adam Button. “Vubiq’s waveguide modules use silicon-germanium-based radios, allowing us to offer them at a fraction of the price of GaAs and InP,” he adds. “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.”

Vubiq’s waveguide modules complement its other millimeter-wave products, which include 60GHz micromodules featuring a built-in antenna for short-range applications, and the VL300 video link, which can transmit pure, uncompressed HD video hundreds of meters.

“Current 60GHz waveguide offerings use technologies that were designed for aerospace - with the associated cost, power and size preventing any meaningful penetration into commercial markets,” comments chief technology officer Mike Pettus. “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,” he claims.

Vubiq is now accepting orders for its waveguide modules, as well as a complete waveguide development system that allows for easy setup and operation.

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Visit: www.vubiq.com