[ad_1]
Many people invest in mesh wireless networking solutions to avoid dead spots caused by walls and other obstacles. But what if you could effectively remove the walls as a barrier?
First reported by Newsweek, Austrian scientists at the Vienna University of Technology and the University of Rennes have outlined a method to eliminate reflections caused by dense objects. The scientists revealed their results in a paper titled “An anti-reflective structure for perfect reflection through complex media.”
Scientists compare their solution to how an anti-reflective coating works on glasses. The coating allows light to pass freely through the lens and prevents light from bouncing off the lens causing reflections. Similarly, scientists use a special coating to make Wi-Fi radio waves travel more easily through solid matter.
Concept design of anti-reflection
“First you have to simply send some waves through the medium and measure exactly how these waves are reflected by the material,” said Michael Horodinsky, one of the authors. “With this data, we were able to show that it is possible to calculate an equivalent compensation for any medium that scatters waves in a complex manner, so that the combination of both media allows the wave to pass completely.”
In layman’s terms, the scientists were able to calculate how radio waves move through a material and use that information to create a material that can eliminate reflections.
First they tried a microwave and sent it through a “metallic wave” filled with bits of metal and Teflon material. Only half of the microwaves are transmitted, the rest is reflected. The behavior of microwaves along the waveguide was measured and an anti-reflection region was created. Next test passed 100 percent of microwaves.
This method can be used not only for better Wi-Fi reception, but also for other radio waves such as cellular and even using telescopes to detect radio waves from distant objects in the universe.
Obviously, we’re a long way from any practical applications, but the future implications are certainly exciting. While you’re waiting for better Wi-Fi, check out our deals on OLED gaming TVs and the new Dell XPS desktop.
David Matthews is a freelance writer for IGN.
[ad_2]
Source link
