Nitero is the latest start-up focusing on the emerging WiGig (802.11ad) technology, which achieves super-high Wi-Fi speeds over short distances by using 60GHz spectrum. The firm, now based in Texas but originally a spin-off from the National ICT Australia research institute, has raised $3.1m in funding from Trailblazer Capital, joining Southern Cross Venture Partners and Austin Ventures.
The firm is working on multi-gigabit Wi-Fi chips and like most WiGig early movers, has ‘ temporarily at least ‘ switched its focus from HD video applications to fast connections between PCs and peripherals. This change of emphasis is largely because the ecosystem is more ready, largely because of heavy support from Intel, whereas the consumer electronics industry will need to be more wholehearted before WiGig becomes widely adopted in home video gear.
Nitero will be competing with other start-ups like Silicon Image, Beam Networks, Tensorcom, Peraso Technologies and Wilocity, while Wi-Fi majors are also working on 60GHz, even though the other fast Wi-Fi standard, the more conventional 5GHz 802.11ac, is the more immediate commercial focus for the likes of Broadcom and Marvell.