What is WirelessHD | Difference between Wireless-HD and WiFi
This page describes what is WirelessHD and mentions features of Wireless-HD technology. It compares Wireless-HD and wifi and mentions difference between Wireless-HD and wifi.
About Wireless-HD technology: The devices supporting this technology operates at 60 GHz frequency and will support larger bandwidth (10 to 28 Gbps). This allows transmission of uncompressed video, audio and other data information clearly and without any loss. This helps consumer to have experience of using home entertainment devices without the need of audio or video cables. In addition wirelessHD delivers same image and audio quality as that achieved using wired counterparts.
There are many consumer products available from LG, Intel, Sony, Philips, Panasonic, Toshiba based on wireless-HD techology. The typical wireless-HD products include Blu-Ray players, digital cameras, portable games, digital A/V players, PCs, laptops, digital video recorders, portable media players, HDTVs, display devices etc.
Features of Wireless-HD technology
Following are the features of WirelessHD protocol:
• Streams un-compressed audio and video with 1080p resolution, 24-bit colorformat and
at 60 Hz refresh rates.
• It can deliver compressed A/V streams and data information.
• It operates at 60GHz RF frequency and covers 10 meters of distance for high resolution
A/V
• It employs smart antenna technology concept and hence operates even in Non-LOS mode
• Supports data security for user generated contents
• Supports different data rates and latency for various applications.
Wireless-HD Network Architecture or WVAN (Wireless Video Area Network) Architecture
The figure-1 depicts Wireless-HD network architecture. There are two types of wireless-HD devices viz. coordinator and station. In the network there will be one coordinator and one or more stations. The example of coordinator is display and stations can be smartphone, tablet, players etc. Here HRP refers to High rate PHY which supports multi-Gbps throughput while LRP refers to Low rate PHY which supports multi-Mbps bidirectional link. Both HRP and LRP links support coverage distance of 10 meters. HRP is transmitted abd received using high directional antenna while LRP link uses omni-directional antenna. As HRP and LRP uses same frequency bands, they are managed by Wireless-HD MAC layer using TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) scheme. This Wireless-HD network is also known as Wireless Video Area Network or WVAN.
Following are the functions of Wireless-HD coordinator:
• Control timings across piconet network
• Keep tracking of WVAN network devices
• It is capable of transmitting/receiving using LRP link.
• It may be able to transmit/receive data over HRP link.
Following are the functions of Wireless-HD Station:
• It is capable to transmit/receive over LRP link.
• It may initiate streaming connection over WirelessHD link.
• It may be able to transmit/receive data over HRP link.
Wireless-HD vs WiFi-Difference between Wireless-HD and WiFi
Following table compares Wireless-HD vs WiFi and mentions difference between Wireless-HD and WiFi.
| Specifications | WirelessHD | WiFi |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 60 GHz | 2.4 GHz (802.11a/b/g) 5GHz (802.11n) |
| Bandwidth | 10 to 28 Gbps | 200 to 300 Mbps (in 802.11n) |
| Coverage distance | 10 meters | 30 meters, vary based on transmit power and antenna type |
| Purpose | Developed to handle complex HD A/V content as well as data communication. | WiFi is a general purpose technology adopted in many wireless devices for data communication using wifi routers or access points |
| HD Video transmission | As bandwidth is larger, HD video can be easily transmitted in uncompressed mode and delivers good quality at the end. | As bandwidth is smaller about 200-300 Mbps, it is not enough to support transmission of 3 Gbps video and hence requires compression technology to support transmission of HD video. |
| Niche Application | Used for sharing and transmitting bandwidth hungary A/V content of HD quality | Used for low bandwidth internet applications |
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