Bengali Wikipedia 10th Anniversary Celebration Kolkata/Submissions/Ambient backscatter

After careful consideration, the Programme Committee has decided not to accept the following submission at this time. Thank you to the author(s) for participating in the BN10 programme submission, we hope to still see you at BN10 this Jaunary.

Submission no.

Title of the submission: Ambient backscatter
Type of submission (discussion, hot seat, panel, presentation, tutorial, workshop)

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Abstract (at least 300 words to describe your proposal)

Ambient backscatter uses existing radio frequency signals, such as radio, television and digital telephony, to transmit data without a battery or power grid connection. Each such device uses an antenna to pick up an existing signal and convert it into tens to hundreds of micro watts of electricity. It uses that power to modify and reflect the signal with encoded data. Antennas on other devices, in turn, detect that signal and can respond accordingly.

Initial implementations can communicate over several feet of distance, even with transmission towers up to 10.5 kilometers (6.5 mi) away. Transmission rates were 1k bits per second between devices situated .45 meters (1 ft. 6 in) apart outside and .75 meters (2 ft. 6 in) apart inside, sufficient to handle text messages or other small data sets. Circuit sizes can be as small as 1 sq. mm.

This approach would let mobile and other devices communicate without being turned on. It would also allow unpowered sensors to communicate, allowing them to be placed in places where external power cannot be conveniently supplied. It takes advantage of the TV and cellular transmissions that already surround us around the clock. Two devices communicate with each other by reflecting the existing signals to exchange information. The researchers built small, battery-free devices with antennas that can detect, harness and reflect a TV signal, which then is picked up by other similar devices.

The technology could enable a network of devices and sensors to communicate with no power source or human attention needed.

As for application purpose researchers tested the ambient backscatter technique with credit card-sized prototype devices placed within several feet of each other. For each device the researchers built antennas into ordinary circuit boards that flash an LED light when receiving a communication signal from another device.

Groups of the devices were tested in a variety of settings in the Seattle area, including inside an apartment building, on a street corner and on the top level of a parking garage. These locations ranged from less than half a mile away from a TV tower to about 6.5 miles away.

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Language of Track: English

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