with Long Range, High Speed, Wider Coverage
500m ／ 2Gbps ／ ±45°
Our mmWave communications technology revolutionizes the ICT industry.
Fujikura provides compact embedded 60 GHz millimeter wave (hereafter, “mmWave”) wireless communications modules using a high gain phased array antenna. These are capable of achieving high-speed wireless communication in the 60 GHz frequency band. Their compact design combines a baseband wireless modem function and an antenna with an included RF front end function.
The mmWave bands are susceptible to large transmission losses due to wiring. Therefore, the wiring between the RF-IC and antenna must be as short as possible in order to maximize the features of the wireless communications module. High efficiency communications can be achieved through the selection of low loss materials for the circuit board and modularization of the RF-IC and antenna.
This module is based on the IEEE 802.11ad (WiGig) standard and provides features such as high-power transmission output, scalable channel bandwidth and high-order modulation support. Primary specifications are as follows:
Table 1 : Comparison of module specification
| Fujikura | Vendor A | Vendor B | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RF frequency | 57-71 GHz | 57-64 GHz | 57-64 GHz |
| Channel bandwidth | 0.55 / 1.1 / 2.2 GHz | 2.2 GHz | 2.2 GHz |
| Modulation method | BPSK to 64QAM | BPSK to 16QAM | BPSK to 16QAM |
| Data speed | Approx. 4620 Mbps | Approx. 4620 Mbps | Approx. 4620 Mbps |
| Overall transmission output (P1dB) | 21 dBm | 10 dBm | 14 dBm |
| Antenna gain (beam angle) | 22 dBi (boresight) >19 dBi (+/- 45 deg) |
N.A. | N.A. |
In-house investigation as of Jan. 2020
The unique design of the 16-element phased array antenna makes possible automatic beamforming over a wide angle of ±45 degrees.
Wideband antenna achieves full coverage of the 57 to 71 GHz frequency bands
High wireless control technology makes it possible to automatically connect up to 30 devices (max) on the customer premises to a single access point.
This module employs a low loss multilayer LCP circuit board material and its layout design that optimizes RF-IC performance for even higher output. This allows the module to achieve world-class long-distance transmissions.
Figure 2 : Superiority of LCP material
Table 2 : Comparison of high-frequency material
| LTCC | LCP | Glass | PTFE | PI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| εr | 5.9-9.1 | 2.91 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 3.5 |
| tanδ | 4.0 x 10-3 | 3.5 x 10-3 | 0.8 x 10-3 | 0.5 x 10-3 | 1.0 x 10-2 |
| CTE [ppm/℃] | 6 | 0-40 | 0.4-0.5 | 40 | 20 |
| Workability | Good | Excellent | Fair | Fair | Excellent |
| Surface | Rough | Rough | Smooth | Smooth | Rough |
| Work size | Small | Large | Small | Large | Large |
© 2020 Fujikura Ltd.
Fujikura's original antenna design and electromagnetic field analysis technology led us to develop a 16-element phased array antenna. It not only makes possible stable wide angle ±45 degree automatic beam forming, but at the same time achieves long-range transmission that fully covers the 57 to 71 GHz frequency band.
Demonstration of 60 GHz mmWave wireless communications module
The module can be used in communications networks embedded in backhaul equipment, access points (AP), customer premises equipment (CPE), V2X equipment, and other equipment.
Various applications such as video streaming and VR/AR games are widely spreading. These rich applications require high-speed and large-capacity communications, but the Sub 6GHz frequency bands used in 4G is too narrow for these purposes. This is why mobile networks are starting to move from 4G to 5G. In order to achieve the features offered by 5G: the enhanced Mobile BroadBand (10 Gbps), Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (< 1 ms), and massive Machine Type Communications (1 million per km2), new broadband communication infrastructures using mmWave bands (e.g., 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 47 GHz, and 60 GHz) are being developed worldwide.
We at Fujikura see it as our mission to continue to help build communications infrastructure. To this end, we continue to provide products that support consecutive technological innovations. We build on technology cultivated over our 135-year history, starting with conductors and moving on to optical cables and wireless communications. Now we are developing mmWave devices that incorporate our phased array antenna design technology, FPC production technology and electromagnetic field analysis technology.
In addition to developing a 60 GHz mmWave communications module with integrated an RF module and a BB module, we are also developing RF-ICs and PAAM at the 28 GHz frequency bands. Our 60GHz mmWave wireless communications module simultaneously achieves world top-class transmission speeds (>2 Gbps) and long-distance transmission (> 500 m). We also start developing band-pass filters and other low-loss, high-performance devices even for 70 GHz frequency bands and above.
In order to rapidly transmit and receive large amounts of data in a short time, it is essential to increase communication speeds. The use of broad frequency bands is one method for increasing communications speeds. At present, the Ultra-high Frequency (UHF) band, or so-called centimeter wave band, is used for communications. However, this frequency band is divided up for use by various applications. This makes it difficult to secure broad frequency bands.
For example, the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands used by Wi-Fi are limited to bandwidths a mere 0.5 GHz wide or less (See 1 in Fig. 7 below). In contrast, few services have yet been allocated space in the mmWave band. This makes it possible to secure broad bandwidths. The 60 GHz band offers bandwidths of 9 GHz in Japan and 14 GHz in the US (See 2 in Fig. 7 below). These broad bandwidths offer communications speeds that are an order of magnitude faster than those of today. This will enable gigabit class high speed communications.
