802.11 Breaks WHDI.wmv

IEEE 802.11n breaks WHDI on the CEDIA 2009 trade show floor. Wi-Fi (802.11) networks use a clear channel assessment (CCA) capability to avoid interfering with each other. Since they use a proprietary video baseband at 5 GHz, WHDI systems are not detected by and cannot detect Wi-Fi networks. This led to breakage of show floor demos at both the CEDIA and IFA 2009 tradeshows. While this was not an issue with 2.4 GHz pre-11n systems, 5 GHz operation is now mandated in the final, ratified IEEE 802.11n standard, worsening the WHDI interference problem with every new 11n system sold.

When visual quality matters, the detect and avoid (DAA) mechanisms set by IEEE 802.15.3c and implemented by the WirelessHD 60 GHz wireless standard allow current and future wireless video area networks to peacefully coexist.