GeneralAmbient Backscatters to let devices interact without battery

Ambient Backscatters to let devices interact without battery

Ever wished you could send just one message, but that phone has simply run out of juice? Well, we just might be looking into a future of battery-free devices, thanks to Ambient Backscatter. This is a new communication technology developed by engineers at University of Washington, so as to communicate with other gadgets without using a battery.

For those who are wondering how this could be possible, the communication system employs TV and cellular transmissions which are already present around us 24 x 7, rather than creating radio waves of its own. From what the website of the University of Washington denotes, Ambient Backscatter holds the ability to convert prevalent wireless signals into a power source as well as a communication medium.

Ambient Backscatters

The technology sanctions communication between two devices by backscattering which means reflecting existent ambient RF signals to interact, thus justifying its name. In the video embedded below, the researchers have used two credit-card sized circuit boards to explain how the system functions.

Over and above integrating regular smartphones with this technology, it will be possible to use it with respect to other inanimate objects such as keys and wallets, the engineers said. Imagine getting a text reading that those misplaced keys are on the couch. A little creepy, but it could count as a favorable development nevertheless.

Future Applications

If the Ambient Backscatter system indeed kicks off, it will not only save users the hassle of hunting for wall outlet if texting is what they want to do, but it will also need minimal maintenance and cost less. Personally, we are quite excited and can’t wait to see this tech in flesh.

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