Data Traveling by Light

  Regular LEDs can be turned into optical WLAN with only a few additional components thanks to visible light communication (in short, VLC). The lights are then not just lighting up, they also transfer data. They send films in HD quality to your iPhone or laptop, with no loss in quality, quickly and safely. Just imagine the following scenario: four people are comfortably ensconced in a room. Each one of them can watch a film from the Internet on his or her laptop, in HD quality. This is made possible thanks to optical WLAN. Light from the LEDs in the overhead lights serves as the transfer medium. For a long time, this was just a vision for the future. However, since scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute HHI in Berlin, Germany, have developed a new transfer technology for video data within the scope of the OMEGA project of the EU, its implementation in real life is getting markedly closer.

At the end of May, the scientists were able to present the results of the project in Rennes, France. They were able to transfer data at a rate of 100 megabits per second (Mbit/s) without any losses, using LEDs in the ceiling that light up more than ten square meters (90 square feet). The receiver can be placed anywhere within this radius, which is currently the maximum range. "This means that we transferred four videos in HD quality to four different laptops at the same time," says Dr. Anagnostis Paraskevopoulos from the HHI.

"The fundamentals of visible light communication (VLC) were developed together with the industry partners Siemens and France Telecom Orange Labs," said the expert. At HHI, the team of project manager Klaus-Dieter Langer is now further developing the new technology. "For VLC the sources of light -- in this case, white-light LEDs -- provide lighting for the room at the same time they transfer information. With the aid of a special component, the modulator, we turn the LEDs off and on in very rapid succession and transfer the information as ones and zeros. The modulation of the light is imperceptible to the human eye. A simple photo diode on the laptop acts as a receiver.

As Klaus-Dieter Langer explains, "The diode catches the light, electronics decode the information and translate it into electrical impulses, meaning the language of the computer." One advantage is that it takes only a few components to prepare the LEDs so that they function as transfer media. One disadvantage is that as soon as something gets between the light and the photo diode (for example, when someone holds his hand over the diode) the transfer is impaired. Laptops, Palm devices or mobile telephones are all potential end devices.

The scientists emphasize that VLC is not intended to replace regular WLAN, PowerLAN or UMTS. It is best suited as an additional option for data transfer where radio transmission networks are not desired or not possible -- without needing new cables or equipment in the house. Combinations are also possible, such as optical WLAN in one direction and PowerLAN for the return channel. Films can be transferred to the PC like this and also played there, or they can be sent on to another computer.

The new transmission technology is suitable for hospitals, for example, because radio transmissions are not allowed there. Despite this fact, high data rates must be transmitted without losses and unzipped, according to the experts. If part of the communication occurs via the light in the surgical room, this would make it possible to control wireless surgical robots or transmit x-ray images. In airplanes, each passenger could view his own entertainment program on a display, saving aircraft manufacturers miles of cables. Another possible venue for the application of this technology are production facilities, where radio transmissions very often interfere with the processes.

World’s longest periscope developed for Kalpakkam reactor

 A 10-meter long periscope, indigenously developed for a nuclear reactor at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam and claimed to be the longest in the world, was dedicated to the nation today.

The Rs. 3.9-crore periscope, manufactured by city-based Visual Education Aids (P) Ltd (VEA) in collaboration with IGCAR and others, was handed over to Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (Bhavini), Kalpakkam, by IGCAR Director S.C. Chetal here.

The periscope is the longest in the world and would be used in the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor to view objects inside the reactor during maintenance, Mr. Chetal said.

VEA Director J Balu said the periscope, to be taken to Kalpakkam soon, can be remotely operated and also has motorised facilities for scanning the area of interest and image zooming and rotation.

The Applied Spectroscopy Division, Division of Remote Handling and Robotics and Centre for Design and Manufacture of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mumbai were also involved in the two-year long project, Mr. Balu said.

Yahoo to Launch an Android Smartphone soon

Yahoo in its first ever attempt has declared that it will soon venture into the mobile market with an android based "Yahoo Phone." The announcement came from Softbank, Japan's third biggest mobile operator, who will soon make the official launch. This is considered as a very strange move by the industry experts as Google is Yahoo's biggest competitor. The reinforcement sounds very confusing because Yahoo is closely linked with Google's nemesis, Microsoft The handset will feature a 4" LCD screen, 8 MP camera, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi, and microSD card slot. The Yahoo! Phone will run on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), and will also be equipped with a built-in digital TV tuner.

The phone is manufactured by Sharp, which is then rebadged as a Yahoo! Phone. To justify its name, the device will be shipped with a number of country specific Yahoo! Mobile applications. The smartphone is expected to be available by the end of next month.

The consumer of SoftBank who opts to use the phone will automatically become Yahoo Japan premium members free of cost for two years and can also avail additional points for every purchase made on Yahoo Shopping for the next two years. 

The Most Awaited Gadgets in the market

As a potential buyer you always look out for what's the new gadget buzzing in the market. And India is no doubt a gadget freak country, always eager to land on the latest device, be it hardware or software.

So what more does the tech world has for you to offer in the year ahead. Let's get a sneak peek into the most awaited gadgets to arrive in the market.

1. iPhone 5:Undoubtedly Apple's innovation in the smartphone world awaits them to come up with their next version of iPhone, iPhone 5.News surrounding Apple iPhone5 have been doing the rounds with new twist and tales every now and then. Initial speculations revealed that Apple is all set to launch iPhone 5 on september 2011.

As far as design of the product is concern, it is speculated to be on the sleeker and thinner side with a slight teardrop taper toward the back of the phone. It might come along with a larger, edge-to-edge display and the mute button shifted to the opposite side, that too with a increased resolution.

2. 7-inch Samsung Galaxy:Samsung is expected to venture into the world of mini tablets with its 7-inch Samsung Galaxy. A leaked stated that the 7-inch device is said tobe heading for release with a 1024 x 600p AMOLED display alongside a 3-megapixel rear-mounted camera and a second, forward-facing 2-meg snapper.

3. Googlerola tablet: The news of Google acquiring Motorola mobility has spread the rumor mills strong that soon it will venture the market with a tablet which will be something to watch out for. The combo from Google and Motorola will definitely have lots to offer.

4. iPad 3: The next version of iPad3 is something that consumers would really like to see. It will be a challenge for Apple to overcome its own milestone in the tablet market andthis would definitely need huge investment of innovation, time and money.

5. New Apple TV: It has been long time since Apple has made any additions to Apple television sets. It is anticipated that soon Apple will reinvent the magic with its next version of Apple television sets.