An eyesore and a tripping hazard in one: cable clutter is a real nuisance.
Now a new kind of antenna is set to banish the pest, hidden in tables and supplying electronic devices with power. The “tables” can transmit data, too.
The pretty designer lamp on the table is meant to add charm to the room. If only the annoying cord wasn’t there, then you could also put the lamp in the center of the table when it suited you. In future, you will be able to do just that thanks to SUPA Wireless technology. SUPA stands for Smart Universal Power Antenna, and the technology removes the need for electric cables, whether for lamps, laptops or smartphones. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS have developed SUPA Wireless together with colleagues at the University of Paderborn and four medium-sized technology companies. “Without cables, you can put your lamps anywhere you like on the table – and they look better to boot,” says Dr. Christian Hedayat, department head at Fraunhofer ENAS in Paderborn.
But if there are no cables and no batteries, where does the lamp get its electricity from? The principle is similar to that of an induction cooker: fitted in the table is a network of coils, each of which represents one transmitting antenna. If electricity flows through these coils, they generate a magnetic field. This in turn induces electricity into the coil fitted in the lamp, which lights up. However, the researchers were not satisfied with the lamp being supplied with electricity only at a specific point on the table: they wanted it to work anywhere on the tabletop. But this means that a magnetic field has to be generated wherever electricity is required – in other words, on the whole table. One solution would be to install a giant coil in the table, although this would not be very practicable. The researchers opted for a different route: “We populate a printed circuit board (PCB) with numerous antennas in such a way that a magnetic field is generated only under the surface of the receiver. The distances between the antennas and the dimensions of them are carefully chosen to produce a homogeneous field,” says Hedayat.
Cordless lamps available from late 2014
The researchers have also come up with a clever solution to ensure that radiation levels are not excessive: only the antennas fitted directly beneath where the receiver is standing are switched on; all the rest stay switched off. But how does the system recognize where the lamp is standing? “There are two approaches: a physical one and a numerical one,” reveals Hedayat. The physical approach is based on the fact that the antennas perceive the receiver – that is, the lamp – as a specific load. The scientists exploit this electrical “signature”. The researchers are currently working on the numerical approach: the antenna “speaks” with the receiver, asks for its identification, and then inquires whether it is entitled to receive energy. The researchers also plan to make the question of how much energy the lamp needs part of the “conversation”. In order to further reduce radiation, the scientists have restricted it to a very short transmission range above the table. That is enough to power common electronic devices such as cellphones and tablet computers. The final development phase is currently beginning. Now it is a matter of getting the technology market-ready. According to the researchers’ targets, the first application to be launched will be the lamp including PCB in late 2014. The PCBs will be supplied in various sizes so that customers can retrofit both small and large tables.
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Broadcast power
- DJ joins rival station after controversial merger of two outlets
Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised ads and content, ad and ...
- The UK’s Conservatives suffer historic losses in local elections as Labour edges closer to power
Labour won Blackpool South, a long-time Labour seat in the northwest of England that went Conservative in the last general election in 2019.
- Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L. The service is set to begin at 2 p.m. local time at St. Thomas' Anglican Church in the heart ...
- Sinclair Broadcast Group (NASDAQ: SBGI)
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is a media company engaged in the provision of local sports and news. It operates through the following segments: Broadcast, Local Sports, and Others. The Broadcast ...
- Can AI find a way to reduce the broadcast industry’s energy consumption?
OpenDrives' Trevor Morgan asks if AI has the answer to making data centres for the media and entertainment industry more sustainable ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Broadcast power
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Broadcast power” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Cordless lamps
- KitchenAid, Shark, and a Treasure Trove of More Top Brands Are on Sale at Home Depot — Up to $430 Off
Air fryers, knife sets, cordless vacuum cleaners, stand mixers, and other popular home and kitchen essentials from KitchenAid, Shark, Sealy, and more are marked down at Home Depot during its Home ...
- How to Jump Start Your Car With a Cordless Tool Battery
There are two common options, jump the battery from another vehicle, or pull out my battery charger—either of which takes about 20 minutes. Getting keys, cables, moving my truck—or getting the charger ...
- Let There Be Light: A Full Guide To Lighting Options for Every Room—And Outside, Too
The Lightstrip Outdoor from Philips Hue adds just the right amount of ambiance through lighting, with lots of subtle color varieties to choose from to perfectly illuminate your next party. It’s ...
- 5 essential gadgets for turning your home into a self-care sanctuary
While some people gain energy from going out and talking to people, others gain it from staying at home. Spending a cosy night in can be a comforting and restorative experience, whether you're curling ...
- Best lawn mower deals to shop ahead of Memorial Day
Amazon, Best Buy and Lowe's are some of the best places to seek out a discounted price on a new lawn mower. Our team of deal-seeking experts has compiled this roundup of the best pre-Memorial Day ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Cordless lamps
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Cordless lamps” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]