Word of the Day: Wi-Fi backscattering

Word of the Day Daily updates on the latest technology terms |January 19, 2018

Wi-Fi backscattering Wi-Fi backscattering is a low-power communications technology that uses radio frequency (RF) signals as a power source and reuses the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to provide RF-powered devices with Internet connectivity.  The technology consumes significantly less power than Wi-Fi typically requires, because it uses Wi-Fi as a carrier for its own signal. By selectively reflecting existing RF signals, the technology can provide battery-powered devices, like sensors, with Wi-Fi connectivity -- while also eliminating the need for the sensor's battery to be recharged or perhaps even exist at all. The reflected signals, which are called backscatter, create a pattern of stronger and weaker signals that can be detected among the original Wi-Fi signals by specially tuned Wi-Fi routers. Wi-Fi backscattering's low-bit rate network capacity and low power requirements make it suitable for applications like Internet of Things (IoT), WSAN (wireless sensor and actuator networks), machine-to-machine (M2M) networking and RF-powered computing. Research for developing the technology is being funded by the National Science Foundation, the University of Washington, the University of Washington Commercialization Gap Fund, the Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship and the Washington Research Foundation. Quote of the Day "Researchers have demonstrated that they could use Wi-Fi to charge nickel and lithium battery chargers at up to 28 feet away." - Walker Rowe Related Terms and Tags RELATED TERMS backscatter body scanning Internet of Things radio frequency carrier signal RF-powered computing Wi-Fi HaLow RELATED TAGS IoT Wireless IoT Network Infrastructure   Learning Center The best choice for enterprise IoT networking is Wi-Fi Learn how Wi-Fi's security and scalability make it the best option to meet your enterprise IoT networking needs. Energy-harvesting technologies find a home in IoT Learn how three energy-harvesting technologies -- radio-free wattage, vibration energy and light energy -- aim to take batteries out of the IoT power equation. What's the best network for transporting and collecting IoT data? The city of San Jose used an IoT data analytics strategy to track city activity to prepare for future population growth. When users and IoT technology share a WLAN, resiliency is vital The wireless LAN at the Las Vegas Sands' hotels and expo center carries traffic from thousands of guests and conference attendees in addition to a growing number smart devices using IoT technology. Internet of Things marks dawn of smart objects, more network pressures The Internet of Things means more smart objects attaching to the network; network engineers need to make sure their networks can handle the load. Supporting IoT devices requires careful WLAN design In this Q&A, one networking pro explains how Internet of Everything (IoT) devices have moved into the enterprise and how to design a WLAN that can support them. Stay In Touch FOLLOW US CONTACT AN EDITOR For feedback about any of our articles or to send us your article ideas, please contact us at: mrouse@techtarget.com About This E-Newsletter This e-newsletter is published by the TechTarget network. To unsubscribe from Whatis.com, click here. Please note, this will not affect any other subscriptions you have signed up for. TechTarget, Whatis, 275 Grove Street, Newton, MA 02466. Contact: webmaster@techtarget.com Copyright 2016 TechTarget. All rights reserved.