Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are experimenting with ultra high radio frequencies to achieve high data transmission rates over short distances. The technology could prove useful in LAN construction and could eliminate the need for wired network infrastructure. The research uses 60 GHz frequencies, which are in the unlicensed spectrum and has produced data transfer rates of 15 Gbps at a distance of 1 meter, and 5 Gbps at a distance of 5 meters.

The technology is being developed primarily for home and office use and would support both data and video transfers. Extremely high data rates, even over short distances, would allow users to share data directly without using traditional network infrastructure. In a server room, wiring could be all but eliminated for rack-mounted devices. Currently, the data transfer capacity of the experimental network is greater than most devices' I/O abilities.

The research team is hoping to double the data rate by this time next year. The extremely high data rates pose no particular health concerns for humans. The transmitter power for network devices is about 10 mW, and the 60 GHz frequency cannot penetrate human skin. Signals are also blocked by walls, which provides some measure of security for personal data.

Currently, no standards exist for data transmission in the 60 GHz range, but IEEE is considering the creation of a new standard for it, which would be IEEE 802.15.3C.