[c]
Secrets that zip across offices through wireless computing networks
all to easily also zip through office windows into the hands of
ones competitors - now researchers at the University of Warwick
have devised a method of producing tunable surfaces that can
selectively block signals from wireless networks from spilling out
of the office.
Dr Christos Mias, in the University of Warwick's School of
Engineering has developed a "dipole grid based frequency
selective surface" (also known as an FSS surface) to perform
this task. This grid of circuitry has the potential to be embedded
in any glass window and then tuned to block the selected frequency.
This ability to tune the circuit is triply useful. Firstly it means
that the circuit can easily be tuned to block a different frequency
if circumstances in the office change without having to remove the
window or the embedded circuits. Secondly it allows for different
window material variations - normally the variations in the type of
glass used would mean that you would have to develop bespoke
blocking circuits for each window - but by having a tunable system
one can then have a one size fits all set of circuitry which can
simply be tuned to match the glass type. Thirdly it can compensate
for small FSS fabrication errors.
Dr Mias has already worked with colleagues in other universities
and institutions to produce non-tunable FSS configurations on
standard domestic glass. Both optically transparent thin-film and
opaque micromachined conductors have been employed attenuating the
power of the incoming signal (at selected frequencies above 20
GHz) by 100 to 1000 times.
VNR
A video news release is available via Research-TV. See http://www.research-tv.com/stories/technology/windows/
More Pictures
For further Information please contact:
Dr Christos Mias, Electrical and Electronic Division
School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Tel: 024 76522343 christos.mias@warwick.ac.uk
Peter Dunn, Press and Media Relations Manager
niversity of Warwick
02476 523708 p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk
PR154 PJD 13th December 2004
