Home › News ›

Microsoft Mixes Up White Space Fix

Aug 18, 2009, 1:24 PM by Eric M. Zeman

A team of researchers from Microsoft and Harvard University have created a breakthrough technology that should make the use of white space spectrum for wireless broadband possible. White spaces are the unlicensed spectrum that resides between analog TV channels. The FCC has placed strict rules about the use of white space, and the nearby TV channels cannot be interfered with. In order to solve this engineering challenge, Microsoft created an "adaptive spectrum assignment algorithm". The algorithm constantly measures the frequencies being used and works in concert with other gadgets to find frequencies that aren't being used. If the devices discover that spectrum is already being used, they switch to a back-up channel. Microsoft was able to create an entire network with this methodology. Microsoft calls the technology "White-Fi", and indeed, it behaves similar to Wi-Fi in some respects. White-Fi won't have the bandwidth of WiMax or LTE and speed will depend on what frequencies are being used in any given region. Because the spectrum is unlicensed and doesn't need to be paid for, the networks using it should be less expensive to build and run.

GigaOm »

Related

Samsung Refreshes Galaxy S Series with S Pen, New Cameras

Feb 9, 2022
Samsung today announced its lineup of flagship phones for 2022: the Galaxy S22 series. The top-end S22 Ultra sees the biggest changes as it essentially absorbs Samsung's Note series with an integrated S Pen stylus and a more Note-like shape and design, instead of the Contour Cut design of the other models.

SoundCore Debuts new Space Series

Aug 25, 2022
SoundCore today announced the Space A40 wireless earbuds and Space Q45 Headphones, part of a new line of audio accessories that have key features like ANC (adaptive noise cancelling), but are affordably priced. The Space A40 Bluetooth earbuds offer 10 hours of listening on their own, and 50 total hours with the included charging case.

AT&T, Verizon Agree to Hold Back C Band 5G Near Airports

Jan 18, 2022
AT&T and Verizon are moving forward with this week's launch of 5G service in the new C Band, but have voluntarily agreed to new restrictions around airports at the request of major US airlines. The airlines have asked for 5G in the C Band to be banned within two miles of airport runways, a limitation that will severely reduce availability of the service in some cities.

Google Brings Nearby Share to Windows

Apr 3, 2023
Google has released a public beta version of Nearby Share for Windows computers. Installing the new Nearby Share app on a Windows device makes it easy to exchange files with nearby Android phones and tablets.

Following C-Band 5G Debacle, FCC Considers Regulating Radio Receiver Performance

Apr 21, 2022
The FCC has launched an official proceeding to investigate how it can best address the issue of radio receiver performance. The FCC has historically regulated radio transmitters, but paid little attention to the technical aspects of radio receivers.