WirelessHD is an industry-led effort to define a specification for the next generation wireless digital network interface for wireless high-definition signal transmission for consumer electronics products. The consortium behind the specification, which includes among others Broadcom, Intel, LG, Panasonic, NEC, Samsung, SiBEAM, Sony and Toshiba, finalized it in January 2008.

The WirelessHD specification is based on the 7GHz of continuous bandwidth around the 60GHz radio frequency and allows for uncompressed, digital transmission of full HD video and audio and data signals, essentially making it equivalent, in theory, to wireless HDMI. The specification has been designed and optimized for wireless display connectivity, achieving in its first generation implementation high-speed rates from 4 Gbit/s for the CE, PC, and portable device segments. Its core technology promotes theoretical data rates as high as 25 Gbit/s (compared to 10.2-Gbit/s for HDMI 1.3), permitting it to scale to higher resolutions, color depth, and range.

The WirelessHD specification also has provisions for content protection via Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP)as well as provisions for network management. With the use of a regular remote control, users can control the WirelessHD devices and choose which device will be supplying the display, such as a set-top box, DVR or Blu-ray disc player.

The signal operates on the 60 GHz Extremely High Frequency band and supports the bandwidth required to support both current and future HD signals. The 60 GHz band requires line of sight between transmitter and receiver, and the WirelessHD specification overcomes this limitation through the use of beam forming at the receiver and transmitter antennas. The goal range for the first products will be in-room, point-to-point, non line-of-sight (NLOS) at up to 10 meters. The atmospheric absorption of 60 GHz energy by oxygen molecules limits undesired propagation over long distances and helps control intersystem interference and long distance reception, which is a concern to video copyright owners.

A ubiquitous WirelessHD specification would do much to improve interoperability among devices, and would also expand the capabilities of personal video players, PDAs, and other handheld devices.

Promoters

• Broadcom Corporation
• Intel Corporation
• LG Electronics Inc.
• Panasonic Corporation
• NEC Corporation
• SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS, CO., LTD
• SiBEAM, Inc.
• Sony Corporation
• Toshiba Corporation

Competition

WirelessHD is competing somewhat with the upcoming Wireless USB specification, which operates on the 3.1 to 10.6 GHz band and delivers 480 Mbit/s throughput.

WirelessHD also competes with the WHDI^TM Wireless Home Digital Interface specification, with key technology provided by AMIMON. The WHDI Special Interest Group was formed by Amimon, Hitachi, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and LG Electronics. WHDI uses 20/40 MHz of bandwidth in the 5 GHz unlicensed band, offering lossless video and achieving equivalent video data rates of up to 3Gbit/s.