Qualcomm Atheros and Wilocity launched the first tri-band reference...

Qualcomm Atheros and Wilocity launched the first tri-band reference design that combines 802.11ac and 802.11ad wireless capabilities on a single module, the companies said at CES. The module is based on Qualcomm Vive 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Wilocity 802.11ad 60 GHz WiGig (Wireless Gigabit) technologies, the companies said, and delivers tri-band Wi-Fi for connecting docks, devices, storage peripherals and displays at multi-gigabit speeds compatible with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. The wireless networking card enables multi-gigabit networking, data syncing, and video and audio streaming while maintaining wireless bus extension docking capabilities, the companies said. Vivek Gupta, vice president of computing at Qualcomm Atheros, said CE manufacturers will be able to integrate the technology into a range of products including TVs, game consoles and notebook PCs, enabling consumers to benefit from “the speed, improved reliability and range of 802.11ac with the multi-gigabit, in-room input/output and networking achieved through 802.11ad.” At CES, WiGig Alliance Chairman Ali Sadri told us the next-gen 802.11ad standard, based on WiGig technology, “is not a speed game anymore,” saying 11 Gbps is “more than enough” for Internet browsing. But the ultra-high-speed spec is necessary for data-intensive applications including audio and video streaming and synchronization with external storage devices. “Presumably all laptops will have WiGig built in,” he said, followed by docking stations. “Taiwan is the best place to create all sorts of gadgets for the technology,” he said. “I can’t even imagine what’s going to come out.”