5G Technology World

  • 5G Technology and Engineering
  • FAQs
  • Apps
  • Devices
  • IoT
  • RF
  • Radar
  • Wireless Design
  • Learn
    • 5G Videos
    • Ebooks
    • EE Training Days
    • FAQs
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars/Digital Events
  • Handbooks
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
  • Resources
    • Design Guide Library
    • EE World Digital Issues
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • Engineering Training Days
    • LEAP Awards
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

New Wi-Fi Tech Consumes 10,000 Times Less Power

By Sarah Goncalves | December 13, 2016

It is a fact universally acknowledged that a smartphone in possession of Wi-Fi must be in want of more power.

Wi-Fi enables us to stay connected without cell service, sparing many a millennial the dreaded text from mom, reminding us that we’ve already used most of our data for the month. (This is usually preceded by the forwarded text alert from the wireless carrier.)

Wi-Fi, however, consumes a lot of energy. Before we know it, we can’t even text mom an apology because our phone just died in-between deleting an email and checking our bank account.

But that could soon change.

University of Washington computer scientists and electrical engineers have successfully generated Wi-Fi transmissions using 10,000 times less power than existing Wi-Fi chipsets and 1,000 less power than other wireless communications platforms, such as Bluetooth LE and ZigBee. This new “Passive Wi-Fi” transmits signals at bit rates up to 11 megabits per second and can be decoded on any Wi-Fi device (including routers, smartphones, and tablets) over distances of 30 to 100 feet.

To achieve this, the team decoupled the digital and analog operations, the latter of which still consume a lot of power. The system architecture assigns the analog functions to a single, plugged-in device that generates a continuous wave of RF signal.

Instead of every device having digital and analog RF, now only a second, passive device has digital baseband. A processor on this passive device selectively reflects the RF signal to generate Wi-Fi packets that are then decoded on existing devices—a process that synthesizes only 15 to 60 µW of power.

In Passive Wi-Fi, power-intensive functions are handled by a single device plugged into the wall. Passive sensors use almost no energy to communicate with devices. (Image courtesy of University of Washington)

“All the networking, heavy-lifting and power-consuming pieces are done by the one plugged-in device,” said Vamsi Talla, electrical engineering doctoral student. “The passive devices are only reflecting to generate the Wi-Fi packets, which is a really energy-efficient way to communicate.”

“Even though so many homes already have Wi-Fi, it hasn’t been the best choice for that,” added Joshua Smith, UW associate professor of computer science and engineering and of electrical engineering. “Now that we can achieve Wi-Fi for tens of microwatts of power and can do much better than both Bluetooth and ZigBee, you could now imagine using Wi-Fi for everything.”

The researchers will present their findings (considered one of 10 breakthrough technologies of 2016, according to MIT Technology Review) at the 13th USENIX Symposium on Networked Systems Design and Implementation next March.


Filed Under: RF

 

Next Article

← Previous Article
Next Article →

Related Articles Read More >

Open RAN test service adds colocation capabilities
Switch operates DC to 20 GHz with 128 configurable connection states for asymmetric SerDes testing
Butler Matrix
Butler Matrix drives Wi-Fi and other phased-array antennas
Long-wire dipole antennas: still viable after more than a century

Featured Contributions

  • Overcome Open RAN test and certification challenges
  • Wireless engineers need AI to build networks
  • Why AI chips need PCIe 7.0 IP interconnects
  • circuit board timing How timing and synchronization improve 5G spectrum efficiency
  • Wi-Fi 7 and 5G for FWA need testing
More Featured Contributions

EE TECH TOOLBOX

“ee
Tech Toolbox: 5G Technology
This Tech Toolbox covers the basics of 5G technology plus a story about how engineers designed and built a prototype DSL router mostly from old cellphone parts. Download this first 5G/wired/wireless communications Tech Toolbox to learn more!

EE LEARNING CENTER

EE Learning Center
“5g
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.

Engineering Training Days

engineering
“bills
5G Technology World
  • Enews Signup
  • EE World Online
  • DesignFast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Analogic Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • Engineer’s Garage
  • EV Engineering
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy

Search 5G Technology World