Optical wireless communications in the form of “Li-Fi” is a technical alternative to RF-based Wi-Fi with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Part 1 established a context for Li-Fi. This part looks at basic Li-Fi characters as well as hardware and software structure. Q: What are some of the favorable attributes of Li-Fi? A: There are several, […]
Is Li-Fi “To Be” or “Not To Be”? Part 1: Context
Optical wireless communications in the form of “Li-Fi” is a technical alternative to RF-based Wi-Fi with distinct strengths and weaknesses. You are undoubtedly familiar with Wi-Fi – a contraction of “Wireless Fidelity”– which has become the de facto standard for wireless connectivity between the Internet or local area networks and PCs, smartphones, countless appliances, gadgets, […]
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 5: Advances and competition
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Of course, there were also significant technological advances required in many areas, including designing and building longer-life electronics despite the unavoidable effects of space radiation […]
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 4: Lessons learned
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Today, Iridium is a viable mobile, satellite-based, which handles voice and data. As with standard cellular systems, its users have little or no idea of […]
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 3: Very nearly crash and burn
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Iridium’s launch, crash, and nearly burn (literally) The Iridium communications service was initiated on November 1, 1998, with a call by then-Vice President Al Gore. […]
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 2: The implementation
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. The first part of the article explained the inspiration and rationale for the Iridium system. Three major elements were required to make the Iridium concept […]
Iridium global satcom system: Brilliant design, terrible business, last-minute reprieve, Part 1
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Business failures of companies with grand schemes and grandiose plans are part of the realities of technology-driven visionaries. Sometimes, however, the project is so large […]
LiDAR and Time of Flight, Part 4: Circuitry and advances
LiDAR systems and ToF techniques are critical to providing self-driving cars with a detailed picture of the surrounding and is used in many research applications as well. This is the final part of a four-part series on LiDAR systems and ToF techniques. The high-level block diagram of a LiDAR system inherently glosses over the many […]
LiDAR and Time of Flight, Part 3: Emitters, sensors, and scanners
LiDAR systems and ToF techniques are critical to providing self-driving cars with a detailed picture of the surrounding and is used in many research applications as well. This is part three of a four-part series on LiDAR systems and ToF techniques. At the front end of a LiDAR system is the photon emitter and its […]
LiDAR and Time of Flight, Part 2: Operation
LiDAR systems and ToF techniques are critical to providing self-driving cars with a detailed picture of the surrounding and is used in many research applications as well. This is part two of a four-part series on LiDAR systems and ToF techniques. Just as for radar and sonar, the LiDAR concept is simple but the execution […]
