71 Percent Of Earth's Surface Is Water, Why Not Use It For Communications?
Scaling in technology is always the top issue and communications is what leads the industry in it's innovations in this day in age. It does come a at cost however, to have such technologies and for us to enjoy the simple things as to share digital information such as selfies. We use hardware that uses resources like cell towers to transmit signals filled with data so we can use our beloved smartphones. The amount of data is growing and always looking to find ways to help transmit that information using less resources. We look to find an alternative energy and improve on our current technology to one day run an alternative energy. If we look to incorporate technology with the earth's elements, we can find a lot of solutions to our problems.
I have been looking around for any new information on this research but seems to be for military and not much has been said since in the development of this technology.
Saltwater Is Conductive
Saltwater has both positive and negative charged ions and when introducing an electrical field, it can create a current flow.
Using The Ocean As An Antenna
Developed by SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific, a multi-functional antenna that uses salt water to send and receive radio signals. The video below describes how it was first intended for sea crafts since there was limited space to place the antennas but now see the potential use applications for this technology. This is capable of being used on sea and land. This is definitely a great innovation for communicating out at sea. Having such a device in an emergency situation can certainly be a life saver.
Daniel Tan, an engineer at SPAWAR demonstrates and explains the purpose and function of this antenna.
"It potentially can be use for HF, VHF, UHF range"
To be able have it in the right range, the height of the stream determines the frequency.
Ultra High Frequency(UHF) - 70-80 ft
Very High Frequency(VHF) - 6 ft
High Frequency(HF) - 2 ft
I recently discovered that Mitsubishi has developed the first commercial use of this technology they call SeaAerial, and shows off the small scale on using it to receive and watch a digital TV broadcast. The future planning is to have a larger scale antenna that is movable and not have the need to use a lot of real estate to be constructed.
Broader Expansion Of Communications Networks
If we can replace or add to the current structure of wireless communications, we can ultimately create an expansion that can provide internet almost anywhere. If we can accomplish this, we could expand blockchain technology through water in a sense.
Without the need for more cell towers, essentially we can develop salt water antennas in inner cities and easily have them places in public areas and in buildings. This could cut the cost of maintenance and resources used to upkeep with current communications networks. Reducing our carbon footprint is important and finding innovative ways to maintain the resources we currently have is crucial to our future progress of mankind.
Taking a look at the data from NOAA of their buoys drifting around the world. Imagine if we could place these saltwater antennas on positions like this all over the world. The addition of solar technology could essentially create a self-sustainable, communications tool.
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Will using sea water not result in energy drips and interference with other antennas and maybe dangerous to animals and even humans?
How so? it's not much different than using a battery, light bulb, and saltwater... but the interference with other antennas, it can transmit and receive signals and also configurable with the height of the water stream so I'm not seeing what you're saying...
For what I understand, the water is not concealed. Not sure how much power you have to put in, but if this is more than normal antenna's, more power leaks. Cell tower power is relatively low. But for instance air radars do have so much power it will light a bulb and will do harm to human body; therefor these radars do only radiate into the air, not onto earth surface.
Did you watch the video?
Good point, I read the text only :)
There's even a photo of it next to a television :)
I think he might be saying that spraying seawater into the air may result in environmental damage to areas not used to salt water exposure. I assume these will just be applied to ocean environments though, so that will not be a problem. See my question below about other applications.
You guys should watch the video...
This is a pretty cool idea! I spend a lot of time in the forest and in the desert, two places that often lack decent cell coverage. They also lack saltwater (or any water in the desert). How could this technology be applied out there?
In the video, it shows that you can build the antenna just having a bucket of water and adding salt to it and the stream of water can be recycled in a tube. Just would need to power the pump and magnet but with solar and battery backup solutions, you could essentially build a portable one.
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing this. I had never thought about this!
Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
Fascinating:)
Thanks, I thought so :)
Many thanks @bitcoinparadise - as the son of a round the world yachtsman, I have keenly read, watched and listened.
I understand the applications of this - very short range. The curvature of the earth restricts the range. Submarine comms use half wave ultra-low frequency - hence the very high receivers. The technology here is a great idea, but why not use the electricity grid? Transponders all the way through a power grid could provide a similar service.
Ship to shore, where this is trying to be, would require a jet of enormous height to be able to provide comms at say 100 Nm. off-shore.
Pleasure craft usually get into trouble because power is down - back-up battery supplies are what you are suggesting. The best system of communication in these situations is morse code. An oldie but a goodie!
Upped an d followed. Namaste!
They specifically say this antenna was designed for HF, VHF, and UHF. I mentioned solar technology combined with battery backup can make it self sustaining. The use for this can be on land and on sea. Not really meant for underwater communications like submarines... Did anyone watch the video?
Submarines cannot communicate unless on the surface - it is also dangerous to do so as it betrays their position!
You don't need to be rude! It sounds like I know more than you. Did you read my comment?
What is the range? SHORT
But that's not what my post was talking about... You are talking about things that are a bit off topic. So how am I the rude one if you didn't really read and view the entire content?
Rude again. Why? It looks to me as if you have done a C&P and are now trying to defend an indefensible position. You should apologise for your rudeness, for your berating people for not watching the video, when they clearly had, as did I. You have berated people all through this and yet it is you who has missed the point. You have not engaged, you have simply tried to defend yourself for putting up a post which has technical elements which you, yourself, have not researched.
I did not say that I have sailed anywhere. I suggested a few ideas, none of which you have addressed, yet I addressed all of yours.
This is social media. This is not a collage class.
I expected better after a bright start. School report: could do better.
I would wager that you are younger than your years.
Again, I did not do anything.... you are the one accusing me that I am the one in the wrong and did something rude. I simply asked if anyone watched the video. All your questions and comments are in the video and the post. So if you are asking me questions that have the answer in the post, then you are not reading and viewing the content. So why should I have to apologize because you didn't bother to take the time to understand the information. The video and photos addresses everything you said. Corrosion?
So how can you tell me ,
In the video, you clearly see his testing it with a repeater tower that is 30 miles away. I don't know why you kept saying short range.
I have done research, you the so called non-sailor has apparently not. You comment like you would tell a doctor how to do their job, as if you know how to do it when you have not even gone to medical school. You are the rude one. Accusing me of being rude when all the answers to your questions is in the post.
Because the earth is an oblate spheroid and you tend to get waves at sea and what more can I tell you?The system is only any good for very short distances. If you had read my comment you would know that my father is a round the world sailor. Communication is sort of important. My suggested solution was satellite or drone for emergencies. You have addressed neither - maybe the earth is flat and the HF/VHF/UHF radio waves have a range of thousands of miles. You were rude. If you are unable to apologise for essentially calling me a liar when the fist line of my response was: "Many thanks @bitcoinparadise - as the son of a round the world yachtsman, I have keenly read, watched and listened."
Know your subject matter and don't be rude to people who engage with your post in an informed manner would be my advice.
When you stand on a beach, how far away is the horizon? Something you may wish to ponder. Sailors do it all the time.
when did I call you a liar? I asked if anyone watched the video? Just because you sail the world doesn't make you an electrical engineer. I am not either but I do have a degree in electronics so I am not talking about submarines or yachts, It's about a saltwater antenna that works, and is/already being developed. Mistubishi has made a small scale, and a large scale from the photo shown above. I did not say anything about this operating in low frequencies. So how is it only short distances if it can be configurable in frequencies? short range tends to be low-frequency, HF. With repeater towers can increase the range. If morse code is better for emergencies then why don't we use them now? This device is intended to be used above water and not on submarines. It takes more resources to use drones or satellites. So Why would I need to apologize for your stupidity?
This technology would require a fountain every 3Nm in order to be able to work at sea. The fountain could indeed use solar technology to power itself. The solar panels would need to be mounted upon a buoy which would need to be anchored to the sea bed.
The battery packs would need to maintained and the power supply monitored. As I said, I read, listened and watched with keen interest. I do not need to be told how to read, listen or watch. Why do you need to be so rude?
Morse code is better for emergency situations.
New technology is not the answer to everything. Sometimes learning the old stuff is more pragmatic.
Now, did you read my post? Answers upon using the power grid? Salt water is corrosive ... maintenance?
It is not all bad, in fact it is an interesting take upon hydrolysis concepts. There are flaws, though. One glaring omission, what strength of water jet would be needed to transmit to a satellite or drone transponder?
Why would you need one every 3Nm? It can be configured to use UHF and transmit to a repeater tower? The video shows that the water flow can be used in a tube. It can be sealed from being a messy thing. Yes salt water can be corrosive but this is still in development so the issues of corrosion could be solved. The costs of maintaining and replacing this type of antenna would be cheaper. It can use the grid but the whole goal is to run on alternative energy. This post is about an ANTENNA, and communications, not about a power grid. Once again, how am I being the rude one when you are talking about things not related to my post?
I am so sorry, what was your post talking about?
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