Researchers and employees of Korean company Samsung are devising a method to use the ionosphere as a medium for “long distance communication” without the need for expensive satellites. The ionosphere already plays a role in communications as a “radio reflector” for shortwave signals. But by launching UHF signals behind a 1GHz carrier signal, scientists hope to alter the behaviour of the ionosphere to create an alternating current, which can then be modulated at a particular frequency in order to create an antenna of global proportions.
on Jul 29th, 2006 at 14:45
The link is incorrect: it should be http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/28/samsung-working-on-atmospheric-broadcasting/
on Jul 29th, 2006 at 15:35
I check EVERY link at the time of publication, and the one I had works fine here. But I have changed it - must be something to do with the ionosphere
on Jul 29th, 2006 at 17:21
But, but we already have “atmospheric broadcasting“ — it`s called shortwave. Follow links to actual US Patent page. Keeps talking about frequency range being “several MHz to 2 GHz“, and admits that this range is used only by satellites and hams — nothing about broadcasting, especially HF broadcasting, which might be severely impacted by this process if implemented.
on Jul 30th, 2006 at 04:30
The reason to have more bandwidth and upper frequencies is to support more amount of data transfer as digital communication. But the challenge is how to produce this new stable reflection layer, and if is possible, how make it in long term without effects on others services that does not require this technology but use the same electrical environment. The system theoricaly works with a variation of temperature in the ionosphere. Seems like HAARP. Remember that the SAA produce important effects in the satellites that travel nearby, others iono regions are important also for GPS, all with natural causes, so we may argue how this possible system acts in.
on Jul 30th, 2006 at 08:25
The way this piece is written is frankly technological nonsense.
“…launching UHF signals behind a 1GHz carrier signal…” does not make sense.
“…alter the behaviour of the ionosphere to create an alternating current…”
is similarly just gobbledygook.
Frequencies of the order of 1Ghz will and do penetrate the ionosphere and will not be receivable back on Earth.
on Jul 30th, 2006 at 14:59
Yep, its techno-trash journalism which sounds a lot more expensive than satellites. Now if they were working on putting DRM technology into phones….but what sort of antenna would be needed? Coil of wire in the trousers?