1Gbps Optical Wireless Network Might Replace Wi-Fi 200
Posted
by
timothy
from the line-of-sight-and-bouncy-bouncy dept.
from the line-of-sight-and-bouncy-bouncy dept.
Mark.JUK writes "Pennsylvania State University has developed a new method of indoor Optical Wireless network that does not require a line-of-sight and runs at speeds of 1Gbps+. The system uses a high-powered laser diode — a device that converts electricity into light — as the optical transmitter and an avalanche photo diode — a device that converts light to electricity — as the receiver. The light bounces off the walls and is picked up by the receiver. Traditional radio frequency systems (Wi-Fi , WiMAX etc.) do not require line of sight transmission, but can pass through some substances and so present a security problem. Light, in a room without windows, will not escape the room, improving security."
Ah, and is it Useful? (Score:4, Informative)
> Light, in a room without windows, will not escape the room, improving security.
Although at a cost? This system might be useful for Universities that need to provide wireless to a hundred computers in the same room, but it would be almost useless for homes and such, where one of the big reasons to go wireless is to avoid the need to rewire the house. To use a 1 Gbps signal, you'd need a hard-line to the room.
The other point is that for most applications, it's simply unnecessary to improve over the speed of modern wireless.
Still, there are a few niches where this would be useful, and it sounds like a really fun idea to develop.
Re:Wrong on one count (Score:1, Informative)
54 Mbit/s can carry 12 Mbit/s up and 12 Mbit/down, maximum. Or 24Mbit/s down and nothing up. Up + down == 24 Mbit/s.
And at least my internet connection is 100 down / 100 up Mbit/s. So I'd need uh... 8x 54Mbit/s wireless routers and some '30' channels to get that kind of throughput.
Not that 11n is much better. Would need 3-4 of those, too!