Infrared the new WiFi?

[JAC]

Just stumbled across this, how interesting! .

https://www.techradar.com/pro/wi-fi-more-like-wow-fi-researchers-transmit-almost-2-million-netflix-hd-streams-simultaneously-using-a-single-beam-of-infrared-light

[phenomlab]

@JAC hmm. I’m not convinced. If you look at this statement

Researchers set new wireless data record over 4.6km with infrared

I’d be very interested in the test conditions. A far as I know, infrared is absorbed by most solid objects, so unless you had perfect line of sight, how would the signal not be interrupted?

One theory could be over a certain height to avoid restriction, although the article doesn’t expand on the testing methodology. And that in itself would make it useless in the home or office.

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Infrared the new WiFi?:

hmm. I’m not convinced. If you look at this statement

Researchers set new wireless data record over 4.6km with infrared

I think you’re probably right. I did find it impressive by the quote below.

“This feat happened at the astonishing rate of 5.7 terabits per second, the equivalent of streaming 1.9 million Netflix shows in HD simultaneously, making it the fastest wireless data transmission ever demonstrated over this big a distance in an urban setting.”

[phenomlab]

@JAC those speeds are indeed possible over light as a transport medium (if you consider the speed) but I can’t comprehend the distance quoted. If you happen to encounter a solid obstacle, the beam is either absorbed, or deflected meaning the data never arrives.