Qualcomm Atheros and Wilocity unveiled what they claim is the first tri-band reference design combining 802.11ac wi-fi and 802.11ad WiGig wireless capabilities on a single module. The reference design includes Qualcomm Vive 802.11ac wi-fi technology and Wilocity’s WiGig technology, based on the newly ratified 802.11ad standard. “The reference design delivers tri-band wi-fi, which allows consumers to connect to 60GHz-enabled devices, docks, displays and storage at multi-gigabit speeds, while maintaining enterprise-wide or whole home coverage with 2.4GHz/5GHz wi-fi,” said the two companies.

The reference design ultimately targets consumer electronics manufacturers that want to integrate the combined technologies on platforms ranging from HDTVs and gaming consoles to notebooks. Initial applications for 802.11d are still focused on PC wireless docking, however.

FierceBroadbandWireless: Qualcomm Atheros, Wilocity offer tri-band module with 802.11ad; TelecomTV content partner.