'Blocking network' in crowded places will become the past thanks to this new technology

Have you ever been able to call or text when in crowded places?

Engineers have found a way to significantly shrink an important component in mobile phones and other wireless devices. It's a radio wave circulator that is smaller but more efficient. It will double the amount of wireless wave bandwidth by sending and receiving wireless waves simultaneously on the same frequency. They do that by removing the magnet in the cyclic transmitter.

"We are changing the model of the cyclic transmission so that it can transmit two-dimensional waves simultaneously on the same frequency without the need for magnets or other magnetic materials." Andrea Alu, professor at Austin's Cockrell Technical University in Austin.

The sample of the new cyclic transmission is 2cm in size.

Since the advent of wireless technology 60 years ago, the circulator using magnet has been the standard for achieving two-way communication on the same frequency, but it is not widespread. Because of its large size, heavy weight and cost associated with the use of magnets and magnetic materials. Freed from its reliance on magnetic effects, the new cyclic transmission will be smaller in size and cost less to produce due to the use of common materials.

The sample of the new cyclic transmission is 2cm in size.In the future its size may be even smaller, just a few micrometers. The new design will be built on materials widely used in electrical circuits such as gold, copper and silicon; making it easy to integrate into circuit boards of modern communication devices.

How does it work?

The device works by mimicking the way that the magnetic field breaks symmetry in waves transmitted between two points in space, which is an important function in the magnetic cyclic transmission so that it selects radio waves. .

With the new cyclic transmission, the researchers succeeded in simulating the same effect by replacing the magnet with a rotating wave around the device. Another unique feature is that it can be adjusted in real time at a wide frequency range, which is a big advantage over conventional cyclic transmitters.

This new circulator can also benefit other industries.

Minimize the "network jam" situation

For telecom companies that pay for frequency use licenses allocated by the US Federal Communications Commission, effective use of bandwidth limits will significantly reduce costs.

"We are envisioning it in micrometer size built into mobile phones. When you use your mobile phone in big events many people use the phone at the same time as football or a concert. Music, it will help avoid "network congestion" and calls are clearer, " the team representative said.

This new cyclic transmission can also benefit other industries , such as radar systems for ships, ships and satellites that can be considerably smaller thanks to this new design. Currently US government agencies are also very supportive of this new project.