TheTransferJet Consortium recently announced its next-generation TransferJet X standard at Computex. It is a point-to-point wireless personal area network (WPAN) technology that uses 60GHz band and can achieve a single-channel 13Gbps high-speed transmission at only 2ms. The new standard, whose speed is over twenty times of current TransferJet, can create many new use cases with the unique features that it provides.
At present, chips supporting TransferJet X are under development, and the Consortium is actively promoting this new standard and hopes to have more cooperation opportunities with local makers. Hiroyuki Matsumura, chair and representative director of TransferJet Consortium, talked about the recent development of the new standard during an interview.
Q: Why does TransferJet Consortium decide to define the new standard and what is its standardization progress?
A: TransferJet was originally a short-range wireless technology released by Sony in 2008. Utilizing 4.48GHz frequency band, it can achieve a transmission speed of 560Mbps within a few centimeters, mainly targeting at the file transfer applications for consumer electronic devices. However, this technology has not been widely adopted by the industry.
As a result, the Consortium decided to make a new start in 2014, working with four of its promoter member companies, including Sony, NTT, Japan Radio, Toshiba, and ETRI, Korean Research Institute to lead a group at IEEE to successfully develop the IEEE 802.15.3e standard amendment addressing the needs of a high rate, close proximity wireless transfer having speeds in excess of 10 Gbps. ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) of South Korea has also been an active participant and key contributor of various sections of this standardization effort. The TransferJet Consortium will further build upon this standard and develop the total technology and solution as "TransferJet X".
Q: What are the special features of TransferJet X compared with other wireless standards?
A: The biggest difference between the TransferJet X and the original standard is that in order to improve the transmission speed, the unlicensed 60GHz frequency band is adopted, and using 256 QAM, it can achieve a maximum data rate of 13.1 Gbps of SISO (single-input, single-output). In addition, the required connection setup time has been reduced to 2 ms or less.
There are various wireless communications technologies in the market. 802.15 is a WPAN standard and there are Bluetooth (802.15.1) and Zigbee (802.15.4). However, their transmission distance and speed are different from those of TransferJet X. As for 802.11ad (WiGig), which also uses 60GHz, it is a wireless local area network (WLAN) standard adopting point-to-multipoint architecture, which is completely different from the application scenario of TransferJet X.
Q: What are the new use cases that TransferJet X will enable?
A: The biggest appeal of TransferJet X is that, only by one touch, it can achieve large file transfer in a very short time. With this unique feature, TransferJet X aims to enable new use cases for enterprises and help them create new service models of higher values.
Featuring with high efficiency of channel access based on point-to-point topology to ensure data integrity at MAC layer, its potential use cases may include: instantaneously download content (apps, software) or upload personal files (video and photos) from kiosk stands. So, it can create a service model that passengers can choose the movies they want to watch at the check-in kiosk before boarding, download them immediately to a smartphone or tablet, and watch them on the plane.
In addition, consumers can pick up content immediately while walking through the ticket gates, or simultaneously transfer valuable data, such as video, music, book, magazine, map and etc., at payment time. The instant transfer of large 4K definition and VR video files is also possible.
Moreover, with different antenna designs, TransferJet X can extend the transmission distance to several meters and transmit the file directly to the receiving device in the fixed area formed by the directional electromagnetic waves through the transmitting device. This can be a solution for intelligent transporting system. In the scenario of future self-driving car, when a car needs to transfer driving and navigation data, it can drive to a fixed area, maybe during stop a traffic signal, to complete the bi-directional data transfer with such a design.
Q: What is its progress of productization?
A: At present, East Japan Railway Co., Sony Semiconductor Solutions Co. and Japan Radio Co. are collaborating to study new touch-less toll gate system based on TransferJet X technology in Japan. This system does not require smartphone to touch the target of gate. Customers could keep smartphone in bag or trouser pocket when passing through the gate, and receive electronic contents such as maps or tour guide at the same time.
We are fully aware that use cases and business models are crucial for the new standard to be widely adopted by the industry, and are now talking with different companies, aiming to help them create services of higher values. The Consortium strives to promote this standard. In addition to the IEEE, we also collaborate with the International Telecommunications Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) to establish the standard.
In terms of silicon development, HRCP Research and Development Partnership, which was jointly established by Sony Semiconductor Solutions and Japan Radio in 2016, is now developing SoCs supporting TransferJet X standard, which integrate RF, mixed signals and digital circuits into a single chip. The prototype development has been completed. In order to be suitable for mobile devices, the cost, power and area of the SoC have been carefully considered.
About TransferJet X
TransferJet X is high-speed close proximity point-to-point wireless communication technology, it is based on IEEE802.15.3e. The typical use cases:
1. File transfer between device to device
2. Tollgate solution
3. File transfer during NFC or QR code payment
4. Transfer big data to self-driving car
TransferJet X
Hiroyuki Matsumura, TransferJet Consortium chair and representative director, announced the next TransferJet X at Computex 2018.
