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The goal is to create a flexible customized reflector that can adapt to changes that can affect its efficiency, such as the layout of the household it's in. A More Flexible Version Of WiPrintĪs Engadget points out, the research team must now figure out a way to develop a version of the WiPrint that is made of a different material than plastic. "e aim to strengthen the signal in regions where high performance is desired, and weaken the signal in regions where malicious third-parties could potentially be eavesdropping," the study's authors wrote in their research paper. This is a boon for those paranoid about network security, ensuring unauthorized people won't be able to just access their network willy-nilly. Not only does it ensure there's a strong Wi-Fi signal in the rooms they need it in, but it allows users to manually weaken or cut off signal where they don't. Second, it gives users control over their Wi-Fi signal, which to the layman sounds like a useless option but actually yields some pretty cool benefits. By contrast, directional antennas cost way more than that. Those who have a 3D printer can buy WiPrint for $35 and print it themselves. WiPrint solves a lot of problems with Wi-Fi signals. Almost every household uses aluminum foil for packing food but did you know its applications are more than you can imagine. The optimized reflector works by shaping wireless signals, which not only increases network coverage, but allows signals to move freely and avoid obstructions such as walls or panels.Ĭheck out a demonstration video of the customized reflector, called WiPrint, below: The researchers have managed to create exactly that, but one that's made of plastic and a thin layer of metal. And some of those effects might improve the effectiveness of your WiFi. However, radio signals of any type can be affected by metallic objects in several ways. Wrapping a foil around a router's antenna can make for reflectors, which strengthens the signal in one direction. No amount of aluminium foil can increase your WiFi signal. The team successfully analyzed the space in a room and created a custom reflector that could improve Wi-Fi signals inside it. Zhou, along with a team of Dartmouth researchers, based their experiments on the idea of placing aluminum soda cans behind a router to direct the signal away from barrier-like walls and other obstructions. "Through this single solution, we address a number of challenges that plague wireless users," she said. Results show that optimized reflectors coexist with a variety of Wi-Fi APs and correctly weaken or enhance signals in target areas by up to 10 or 6 dB, resulting to throughput changes by up to -63.3% or 55.1%.Aluminum Foil Legitimately Improves Wi-Fi Signal And is your router or other wireless access point placed. We conduct experiments to examine the efficacy and limits of optimized reflectors in different indoor settings. When signals have to reach multiple floors, floor heating can create problems for the wireless signals. The user simply 3D prints the reflector and places it around a Wi-Fi access point to realize the target coverage.
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With input on coarse-grained environment setting and preferred coverage (e.g., areas with signals to be strengthened or weakened), the system computes an optimized reflector shape tailored to the given environment.
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We present a low-cost, secure, and easy-to-configure approach that uses an easily-accessible, 3D-fabricated reflector to customize wireless coverage. Existing methods are either costly, vulnerable to attacks, or hard to configure.
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It enhances signal reception, reduces harmful interference, and raises the barrier for malicious attackers. Judicious control of indoor wireless coverage is crucial in built environments.
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