GiFi vs WiFi | Basic Difference between GiFi and WiFi
This page compares GiFi vs WiFi and describes basic difference between GiFi and WiFi technologies. GiFi is used for Gigabit Wireless and WiFi is used for Wireless Fidelity or WLAN network.
GiFi Technology
Following are the features of GiFi technology.
• It is first transceiver in the world developed on single chip using CMOS process.
• It operates at 60 GHz. (uses unlicensed band from 57 to 64 GHz).
• It allows wireless transfer of audio/video at 5 Gbps within coverage of
10 meters with very low power consumption.
• It is developed by NICTA (National Information and Communication Technology Research Center), Australia.
• The main component of gifi architecture is subscriber station which interfaces with
several APs (Access Points).
• It is defined in IEEE 802.15.3C standard. It forms wireless PAN network in millimeter wave frequency band.
• Antenna is usually mounted on the roof which supports LOS communication.
• It uses TDD topology for transmission and reception with single antenna.
• It can be used with FDD topology using two antennas.
• Advantages: It offers very high data rate (7Gbps, BPSK) and low interference.
Complex modulation schemes are not required. Antenna separation of about 1.25 mm is needed. Gifi technology is about ten times
fast compare to wifi technology.
• Disadvantages: It supports short distance (about 10 meters) due to high attenuation which
depends on frequency. It can be blocked by an object very easily.
RTS/CTS does not work in gifi technology unlike wifi.
WiFi Technology
Following are the features of WiFi technology as depicted in the figure-2.
• As shown WiFi AP (Access Point) or Router is connected with internet broadband cable or with cellular network.
All the wifi compatible mobile phones, tablets or laptops are connected with AP (or router) to obtain
internet.
• WiFi network operates in either of two modes viz. adhoc (i.e. BSS-Basic Service Set) and infrastructure (i.e. ESS-Extended Service Set).
• In BSS WLAN compliant stations (i.e. STAs) communicate directly. In ESS WLAN compliant STAs communicate with
APs (Access Points) to access internet.
• WiFi supports different speeds and coverage ranges
as per implemented standard in the devices (STAs, APs).
802.11a supports upto 54 Mbps, 11b upto 11 Mbps, 11n supports 72 Mbps/150 Mbps as per BW (20MHz/40MHz),
802.11ac wave-1 supports upto 1.3 Gbps (80MHz, 3 streams, 256QAM), 802.11ac wave-2 supports
upto 3.5 Gbps (160MHz, 4 streams, 256QAM) etc. The distance coverage of 70 meters (indoor) to 250 meters
(outdoor) can be achieved.
• WiFi network operates in different frequency bands viz. 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz.
• The PHY and MAC layers of WiFi system are defined in IEEE 802.11 standards.
There are various versions of 802.11 which include 11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac etc.
Refer WLAN tutorial >> for more information.
Compare GiFi vs WiFi | Table of Comparison between GiFi and WiFi
Following table compares GiFi vs WiFi and derives difference between GiFi and WiFi technologies with respect to various features.
| Feature | GiFi | WiFi |
|---|---|---|
| Transport medium | It uses millimeter waves to transmit/receive data to/from air. | It uses radio frequency waves to transmit/receive data to/from air. |
| Frequency range | 57 to 64 GHz | 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz |
| Data rate or speed | 5 Gbps and more | 150 Mbps (802.11n) and more (using 802.11ac, 802.11ad) |
| coverage range or distance | smaller, about 10 meters | larger, about 300 meters |
| Data density | very high | very low |
| Security | less | less |
| Cost | low | high |
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