Although it is often a controversial, the trend is towards more integration of technology for officiating sports [as evidenced by this year’s adoption of the replay by MLB]. Still, it is challenging to integrate technology, such as cameras and associated transmitters, into an environment that includes 100 mph flying pucks and 200+ pound skaters converging on a net that is anchored by rubber posts. Add to those challenges, the technology can’t have any exposed wires and has to invisible to the game.

In the above interview, Jim Jachetta of VidOvation discusses how his company worked with NHL to create an in-goal camera system to help remote officials determine whether a puck crossed the goal. The “puck cam” that Jachetta describes has an integrated 720p camera, a battery and a 60 GHz wireless transmitter.

What makes this application particularly interesting is that VidOvation is transmitting uncompressed video using 1.5 GHz of the 7 GHz available band within the 60 GHz band.  Although this application only needs to go about 50 meters (to the top of an arena’s ceiling), Jachetta explains that, with the right antennas, the 60 GHz frequency band has application for point-to-point transport to buildings of up to one (1) kilometer.

He explains that 10 to 15 kilometers can be achieved with the higher frequency bands of 70, 80 and 90 GHz. This gets particularly interesting for service providers as these bands offer the potential to serve as the equivalent of wireless extensions of their fiber networks.