Infra Red networking for the 21st century?

[localzuk]

So, some crazy German boffins decided that the age of people lining up their computers to point at the IR port on things was a good thing and have developed the technology further, to the extent where they have now shown a demo where they gained 800Mbps via their method.

Applications being discussed seem to focus mostly on hospitals and similar, where interference from current wifi systems is a problem with some sensitive equipment, but it has got me thinking about the potential in schools.

Imagine it? In each room, you install the lights in the ceilings above the desks, laptops/tablets/etc... would be equiped with transceivers also. You'd be able to get amazing density, at high speeds with no interference (well, other than the occasional flailing arm, or looming head, but I'd imagine that like most light based systems, you would be able to design it to work with multiple paths, so if the direct above the device path was blocked, it would be connected to the next light at an angle instead), and it'd end the scare tactics the world is seeing about wifi in schools.

Hope they manage to turn it into a commercial system!

Boffins shine 800Mbps wireless network from flashlight ? The Register

[dhicks]

some crazy German boffins decided that the age of people lining up their computers to point at the IR port on things was a good thing

Darn right it was. I remember about 15 years ago being shown an IR headphone system developed by BT. Audio data was transmitted in a straight line from the front of the device you were looking at, so to listen to a particular device you simply needed to turn your head towards it - perfect for classroom use.

[localzuk]

Darn right it was. I remember about 15 years ago being shown an IR headphone system developed by BT. Audio data was transmitted in a straight line from the front of the device you were looking at, so to listen to a particular device you simply needed to turn your head towards it - perfect for classroom use.

I always enjoyed printing random things across the room from my phone on the HP printers with infrared ports which hadn't been disabled. It always confused the teacher at the time.

[john]

I always enjoyed printing random things across the room from my phone on the HP printers with infrared ports which hadn't been disabled. It always confused the teacher at the time.

Must admit that was great when I was at school then the printers were changed

[jinnantonnixx]

...and it'd end the scare tactics the world is seeing about wifi in schools.

I think not. I can imagine the Daily Mail headline: "Pupils cooked by infra-red network!"

[localzuk]

I think not. I can imagine the Daily Mail headline: "Pupils cooked by infra-red network!"

Haha, its sad that this is probably true!