Wireless Data at Top Speed

Fraunhofer Institute (10/12)

Fraunhofer Institute researchers have developed an infrared module that transfers data at a rate of 1 Gbps.  The multi-gigabit communication module is six times faster than a USB2 cable, 46 times faster than conventional Wi-Fi, and 1,430 times faster than a Bluetooth connection.  The challenge for the researchers was to build a small infrared module with fast-working hardware and software.  "We achieved this ultimately through a clever combination of different technical solutions," says Fraunhofer researcher Frank Deicke.  One of the solutions is a transceiver that can simultaneously send and receive light signals.  The transceiver fits in a laser diode to send light pulses and a photo detector to detect them, while the decoders that receive and translate the encoded data also are critical.  "Our current infrared module has already demonstrated that infrared technology is able to go far beyond established standards," Deicke says.  His participation in the Infrared Data Association reflects his dedication to improving on 1 Gbps, and Deicke has already been able to demonstrate that the transfer rate of his current model can be upgraded to 3 Gbps.

http://www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2012/october/wireless-data-at-top-speed.html