Peraso Inc. announced plans to develop custom intellectual property (IP) and mmWave solutions for Wi-Fi 8, as well as future IEEE standards.

As a continuation of the success of Wi-Fi in unlicensed frequency bands, the IEEE 802.11 Working Group passed a motion to recommend to the IEEE Standards Executive Committee the development of an amendment to IEEE 802.11 to specify the inclusion of mmWave support in mainstream Wi-Fi. The new amendment, which is expected to be called IEEE 802.11bq, would include support for the unlicensed 60 GHz frequency band. Peraso recognizes the opportunity and value proposition this will bring to the Wi-Fi ecosystem, and, in support of the proposed amendment, intends to immediately commence the development of custom IP and mmWave wireless technologies for third-party fabless semiconductor firms.

"We are pleased to see the IEEE Working Group recognize that 60-GHz technology can play a role in providing high performance and reliable wireless connectivity, particularly for streaming video applications," said Alex Tomkins, CTO of Peraso. "The decisive market success of wireless technologies in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands provides confidence that this momentum will carry forward with the addition of the 60 GHz band and the 14 GHz of continuous spectrum it offers."

Peraso is a recognized leader in the established 60 GHz market, with over 900,000 60 GHz radio ICs shipped to date. Peraso is shipping into a diverse set of applications, including fixed wireless access, defense, streaming video and transportation. The 60 GHz frequency band, like the rest of the mmWave band that it is contained within, has various characteristics that differentiate it from traditional sub-7 GHz wireless, including:

  • Vast Continuous Spectrum: Enables wider channels and higher data rates.
  • Miniaturized Components: Facilitates smaller system and component footprints for large phased array antennas and MIMO systems.
  • Highly Directional and Steerable Antenna Patterns: Phased array antennas allows for steerable beams, maximizing spatial and frequency reuse, reducing interference and enhancing security.