mm-Wave Systems for High Data Rate Wireless Consumer Applications

ISM spectrum at 60GHz has attracted attention for possible high-speed applications in wireless communications for well over ten years. However, no high volume applications have emerged. Despite progress in mm-wave ICs, the power and cost of these efforts have not reached the level needed for mass deployment. This paper summarises the ARC funded GLIMMR project which aims to remedy this situation by designing systems on silicon that have both low cost and low power. In particular, the paper presents design work done to date that indicate that silicon (particularly SiGe) is on the cusp of being able to provide economical mm-wave systems