- 6G Telecom May Depend on Visible Light Communication
- Human Antennas Could Harvest Waste Energy for 6G
- Coiled Copper May Allow Humans to Serve as Antennas
Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are investigating the possibility of using humans as antennas to power 6G technology. While the specifics of 6G are still unknown, it is believed that Visible Light Communication (VLC), a wireless version of fiber optics that uses flashing light to transmit information, could play a role. In an effort to make VLC more efficient, the researchers are looking at ways to harvest waste energy that would otherwise be lost.
To understand the potential of using humans as antennas, it is important to first understand the current state of wireless technology. 5G, the most recent generation of cellular broadband networks, is still in its infancy. True 5G networks operate in millimeter-wave frequencies between 30 and 300 Gigahertz, which are 10 to 100 times higher frequency than previous 4G cellular networks. However, some cell phone providers have falsely claimed the upper end of the 4G spectrum as 5G. The definition of these cellular generations is determined by a global partnership known as 3GPP. It is likely that 5G will eventually be replaced by a new network, but it is not yet clear what 6G will be.
In their study, the UMass Amherst scientists found that humans can serve as a medium for amplifying a copper coil’s ability to collect leaked radiofrequency (RF) energy, which is a byproduct of VLC. Lead study author Jie Xiong, a professor of information and computer sciences at UMass Amherst, explains that VLC uses the light from LEDs that can turn on and off up to one million times per second to transmit data. Any device with a camera, such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, can serve as a receiver for this information. However, VLC has a high rate of energy leakage in the form of side-channel radio wave signals. If this wasted RF energy can be harvested, it could potentially be used to power small electronic devices.
To test this possibility, the researchers experimented with various wires, coils, and backgrounds. They found that the human body was up to 10 times more effective than any other setting at amplifying a copper coil’s ability to collect leaked RF energy. Based on these findings, the team created the Bracelet+, a low-cost gadget that can be worn on the forearm and can also be adapted into a ring, belt, or necklace. The coiled copper in the Bracelet+ can reach micro-watts, enough to support on-body health monitoring sensors that require very little power to operate.
The Bracelet+ represents a significant step forward in the effort to harvest wasted energy from various sources and use it to power future technology. By using humans as antennas to power VLC systems, it may be possible to harness this wasted energy and put it to good use. However, there is still much research to be done before this technology can be fully realized.
The potential for using humans as antennas raises some interesting questions about the future of wireless technology. If the technology is successful, it could revolutionize the way we think about powering our devices. Instead of relying on external sources of energy, such as outlets or batteries, we could use our own bodies to power our electronics. This could have far-reaching implications for how we live and work, and could potentially reduce our reliance on traditional sources of energy.
However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider. Using humans as antennas could potentially expose us to higher levels of RF energy, which could have unknown health consequences. More research is needed to understand the potential risks and benefits of using humans as antennas.
Although there are numerous unknowns, the idea of using humans as antennas to power 6G technology is an exciting one with great potential. If the technology is successful, it could revolutionize the way we think about powering our devices. Instead of relying on external sources of energy, such as outlets or batteries, we could use our own bodies to power our electronics. This could have far-reaching implications for how we live and work, and could potentially reduce our reliance on traditional sources of energy.
However, it is important to remember that there are potential drawbacks to consider as well. Using humans as antennas could potentially expose us to higher levels of RF energy, which could have unknown health consequences. More research is needed to understand the potential risks and benefits of using humans as antennas.
Despite the many unknowns, the research being conducted by the scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is an important step towards understanding the potential of 6G technology and the role that humans could play in its development. As we continue to push the limits of technology, it is exciting to consider the possibilities that the future holds.