TWEETHER Project Promises 10Gbps MmW 92-95GHz Based Wireless Broadband

Mark.JUK writes A new project called TWEETHER, which is funded by Europe's Horizon 2020 programme, has been set up at Lancaster University (England) with the goal of harnessing the millimetre wave (mmW) radio spectrum (specifically 92-95GHz) in order to deploy a new Point to Multipoint wireless broadband technology that could deliver peak capacity of up to 10Gbps (Gigabits per second). The technology will take three years to develop and is expected to help support future 5G based Mobile Broadband networks.

Comments

Cool.

[Anonymous Coward]

Now I can use my cell data plan for 0.8 seconds at full speed before hitting the monthly cap.

Physics doesn't work like that.

[Rob from RPI]

The higher the frequency, the less penetration of solid objects you have.

At -that- frequency, it'll work well for extremely short range, indoor, communications. But as soon as you put something even slightly solid, or damp, in the way, the signal will get blocked.

Re:Physics doesn't work like that.

[Hadlock]

Apparently 95 ghz is the frequency they use to burn the skin in heat rays, it's energy is fully absorbed by the first 1/64" of skin. From Wikipedia "employs a microwave beam at 95 GHz; a two-second burst of the 95 GHz focused beam heats the skin to a temperature of 130 ÂF (54 ÂC) at a depth of 1/64th of an inch (0.4 mm) and is claimed to cause skin pain without lasting damage."
 
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_burn
 
So yeah, penetration would be poor at best, unless between towers, or from LEO/MEO SpaceX built satellites to rooftop antennas.

Re:Physics doesn't work like that.

[Coren22]

From Wikipedia:

Compared to lower bands, radio waves in this band have high atmospheric attenuation; they are absorbed by the gases in the atmosphere. Therefore they have a short range and can only be used for terrestrial communication over about a kilometer.

and

While this absorption limits potential communications range, it also allows for smaller frequency reuse distances than lower frequencies. The small wavelength allows modest size antennas to have a small beam width, further increasing frequency reuse potential.

It sounds like the absorption will be a feature, not a bug. This will allow many more antennas in a city like situation. It won't be any good in rural areas, but I don't think it is meant for that.