WiFi Backscatter

August 5th, 2014 by

Researchers from the University of Washington have designed a communication system that uses radio frequency signals as a power source. The system, called WiFi backscatter, reuses existing WiFi infrastructure to provide internet connectivity to devices. This technology is the first that can connect battery-free devices to WiFi infrastructure. WiFi backscatter makes use of an ultra-low power tag with an antenna and circuitry that can talk to WiFi-enabled laptops or smartphones, while consuming negligible power. These tags work by essentially “looking” for WiFi signals moving between the router and a laptop or smartphone. They encode data by either reflecting or not reflecting the WiFi router’s signals, slightly changing the wireless signal. WiFi enabled devices detect these minute changes and receive data from the tag. The  tag has communicated with a WiFi device at rates of 1 kilobit per second with about 2 meters between the devices. They researchers plan to extend the range to about 20 meters, plan to start a company based on the technology.

Source: University of Washington

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