45 Mile Wi-Fi Range is Now Possible with Lower Power Consumption

July 22nd, 2011 by Nicholas Brown

On-Ramp Wireless has invented a new way to transmit Wi-Fi signals that actually uses less power to strengthen the signal.

Wi-Fi signals become more and more distorted as they travel through the air and, of course, after a while they become too distorted to be useful (after one-twentieth of a mile) due to noise.

This is basically what limits the range to the interior of buildings and this also limits the potential applications of Wi-Fi to those in buildings.

Imagine connecting wirelessly and cheaply to someone 45 miles away without using the internet? And how about while using less energy? You could also eliminate all of the network cables in the largest buildings cheaply and efficiently. The transmitter in the image at the top of this page can reportedly do all of that.

This transmitter achieves that by utilizing an algorithm that transmits it at the same frequency, but in such a way that it is more resistant to noise so it can propagate through the noisy environment over a 45-mile distance.

Another energy related advantage of this is that it would make fewer smart grid access points a possibility due to the fact that traditional access points don’t transmit nearly as far, so more are needed so that more access points are closer to homes and businesses with smart meters.

The smart grid concept involves using computers to enable power plant operators and residents to more effectively match the power production of power plants with power demand to reduce the imbalance of daytime and night time power consumption, and especially to help with the variability/intermittency of solar– and wind-powered generators to increase their market penetration.

I will keep my eyes peeled to see where this technology goes and keep you updated if I can.

Thank you for reading and please comment below if you have more thoughts.

h/t Kompulsa









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