CMOS low-power transceivers for 60GHz multi Gbit/s communications

The availability of 9GHz bandwidth around 60GHz in combination with simple modulations schemes, low-cost radio ICs and small antenna size, allows for multi Gbit/s wireless communications. In this article the potential of 60GHz wireless communications is evaluated from system, application and user point of view. Further, design challenges for 60GHz CMOS transceivers are identified. State-of-the-art designs show that short-range high-datarate radio links based on CMOS ICs can be made, potentially helped with beamforming.