(iTers News) – Smartphones and tablet PCs are today’s most frequently-used Internet access devices for people to surf Web sites.
But, they are also the most favorite media where people spend more time than any other devices on playing on-line games and watching video programs, because the always-on and ultra-fast Internet connectivity enables them to download and enjoy their preferred videos anytime and anywhere.
Yet, they are limited in screen size and resolution, constraining users’ viewing experiences in a tiny screen.
To extend their small screen viewing experiences across a range of large screen devices like TVs and PCs, mobile device users are looking to an array of short-range wired and wireless connectivity solutions that can allow them to bring up and watch their favorite movie and game titles on the large-size full-HD screen.
The so-called ‘second screen phenomenon’ is now fueling demand for a flurry of indoor wired and wireless connectivity technologies like Wi-Fi, HDMI, MHL, Wi-Di, and Wireless HD.
To capitalize on the potential, Silicon Image is now shipping a 3rd generation of Wireless HD chipset, SiI6300 family that comes complete with a network processor and a Wireless HD RF transceiver.
In an interview with iTers News, Jim Chase, director of marketing with wireless division of Silicon Image said, “The third generation chipset is smaller and consumes lower power, (compared with the first generation chipset). It is going into notebook PCs and accessories for portable devices. Our long-term plan is to continue to reduce the power and the size that allows a Wireless HD transmitter to be integrated eventually into tablets and even smartphones."
Added he, “To get into smartphone (markets), the power must be much less than 1 watt. Today’s Gen 3 chipset solution consumes two watts. So, you have to make significant improvements to get into smart phone type form factor. We see suddenly opportunities to work together with TV manufacturers and other consumer electronics device makers to add our technology. As we continue to integrate our 60GHz technology into source devices like phone and notebook PCs, they are going to want to add this capability into their large displays.”
Wireless HD technology is an uncompressed 60GHz frequency multi-gigabit millimeter radio wave technology for lossless full HD media streaming and transmitting.
To get in the Wireless HD chipset business, Silicon Image acquired SiBEAM on May 2011, which was the fabless chip maker of Wireless HD chipset.
One of the key benefits of the Wireless HD is that it can send full HD 1080p/60Hz video signals with virtually low data latency, or less than one frame loss. So, the technology is good for interactive applications like interactive gaming and video conferencing in what director Jim Chase said is “the only solution that can support interactive applications”.
Unlike other wireless technologies like Wi-Fi that operate on a 2.4GHz, or 5GHz frequency that have to share the bandwidth with other devices, the 60GHz Wireless HD technology doesn't need to suffer signal interference, either, because it just adds new bandwidth, whenever new connections are added.
“One of the benefits of the 60GHz is that you are not competing for a bandwidth. With technologies like Wi-Fi where you have one access point, whether it is 2.4GHz or 5GHz, every additional device coming on the network has to share the bandwidth", he said.
“With the 60GHz, you actually add bandwidth, we are providing up to 4 gigabit per second data rate for the link between transmitter and receiver. You can have a multiple link even in the same room. Each time you add new connections, you can add bandwidth, not share the bandwidth, “ he explained further.
Yet, the Wireless HD technology has one drawback. Its frequency is too fast to well go through physical barriers. To solve the problem, Silicon Image integrated its own proprietary antenna array technology of adaptive beam forming algorithm that can offer robust operations over 10 meters in non-line of sight, or NLOS conditions.
“As you pointed out, this is in-room solution, but is not designed to go through physical barriers. Our chipset uses an antenna array of adoptive beam stream to compensate for any barriers in the room. We have very unique algorithm that allows us to do that in real time, “ said he.
Photos and videos by JH Bae
For more information, please see below PR News
[sws_toggle1 title="PR News"> Silicon Image (NASDAQ: SIMG), a leading provider of wireless and wired HD connectivity solutions, today announced its upcoming third-generation WirelessHD® 60GHz chipsets, the SiI6300 family consisting of the SiI6320 HRTX Network Processor, SiI6321 HRRX Network Processor and SiI6310 HRTR RF Transceiver.
The introduction of the latest WirelessHD chipsets will mark a major milestone for Silicon Image, placing it at the forefront of delivering true uncompressed and lossless 1080p Full HD audio and video via a cost-effective, end-to-end wireless video solution for consumer electronics (CE), personal computing (PC) and mobile applications.
The latest Silicon Image chipsets are designed to support the latest WirelessHD 1.1 features including support for 1080p/60, 36-bit Deep Color video, all 3D formats and a host of link robustness improvements.
The SiI6300 family of products is also designed to be more cost-effective and lower power, and to feature a smaller form-factor compared to the previous generation SB9200.
Each chipset will include a Network Processor and an RF Transceiver.
• The SiI6320 HRTX Network Processor and the SiI6310 HRTR RF Transceiver are targeted for design into mobile devices such as notebook PCs and tablets as well as CE devices including A/V receivers, home theater-in-a-box systems, Blu-ray Disc™ players and set-top boxes.
• The SiI6321 HRRX Network Processor and the SiI6310 HRTR RF Transceiver are targeted for integration into DTVs, PC monitors and front projectors.
New WirelessHD 1.1 features to be supported by the SiI6300 family include:
• New medium rate PHY (MRP) support for more robust wireless performance
• 5 low rate PHY (LRP) channels for each high rate PHY (HRP) channel allowing more wireless video area networks (WVANs) to be co-located in close proximity
• Ability to transmit 1080p/60, Deep Color and 3D content • Bi-directional 1Gbps data link
Features expected to help lower overall system cost include:
• Cost-effective organic RF packaging (SiI6310) • Integrated buck converter controller for lower cost, higher efficiency modules
• Integrated HDMI® Audio Return Channel compatible with LR-Audio
• Smaller form factor packaging and lower power consumption ideal for mobile devices
“Silicon Image continues to expand its 60GHz wireless solution for audio, video and now data transmission with robust third-generation, WirelessHD-compliant chipsets,” said John LeMoncheck, vice president and general manager, wireless division at Silicon Image, Inc.
“Building on a production-proven platform combined with new feature enhancements, the SiI6300 family is designed to lower the overall system cost of adding WirelessHD by up to 50% compared to the previous generation. Products integrating the SiI6300 chipset family with WirelessHD technology will enable consumers to seamlessly connect multiple devices to a display over a full wireless video area network,” added he.
Silicon Image’s WirelessHD chipsets embed OmniLink60 advanced adaptive beam-forming technology providing robust operation over 10m in non-line of sight (NLOS) conditions.
New power savings features automatically adjust output power for optimal performance when operating or to lower power states when the chipset is not actively transmitting thereby maximizing power savings for mobile applications.
By operating at 60GHz, the chipsets are designed not to suffer interference issues seen with other wireless audio/video solutions based on 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
The SK6300 WirelessHD Development Kits will be available for CE, PC and mobile manufacturers to integrate WirelessHD into their next-generation product lines. The development kits include manufacturing-ready WirelessHD modules as well as full documentation including the user guide, schematics, bill of materials, Gerber files, and reference firmware. [/sws_toggle1]