Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) and the University of Rennes have discovered a new method that allows Wi-Fi signals to pass through walls more effectively. This improvement could turn home broadband connectivity and 6G into a much more effective tool.
Currently, solid walls that limit the range and transmission quality of Wi-Fi signals reflect or absorb these signals. As a solution to this problem, the researchers developed a method that “calculates” an anti-reflective invisible structure on a solid wall and allows the signal to pass through undistorted.
“You can think of it like something like the anti-reflective coating on your glasses,” said Stefan Rotter, professor at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at TU Wien. “An extra layer is added to the surface of the glasses, which allows light waves to reach your eyes better than before – the reflection is reduced. “
In their paper, the researchers outline a successful experiment in which microwaves were sent through a complex, disordered maze of obstacles designed to mimic a harsh environment like the living room. A matching anti-reflective structure is then calculated and the reflection of the signals is almost completely eliminated.
“First you need to send certain waves through the medium and measure exactly how those waves are reflected by the material,” says Michael Horodynski, lead author of the publication from TU Wien. “We were able to show that it can be used to calculate a stabilizing structure, so that the combination of both media allows the waves to pass completely. The key to this is a mathematical method we developed to calculate the exact shape of this antireflective layer.”
The researchers seem quite optimistic that the calculations could create a coating that avoids any reflections and could even have implications for next-generation mobile connectivity. The article suggests that wave dynamics and wave scattering will play an important role in 6G, reducing the intensity required for signals.
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