Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

ViciousNakedMoleRat t1_izdwt6k wrote

I don't quite see the benefit. They make it sound like it only requires sunlight and therefore reduces electricity costs, but that isn't the case.

>The Saudi innovation uses the polarisation of sunlight to transfer data by using smart glass elements known as dual-cell liquid crystal shutters (DLS).

The system still requires a modem and router, it just replaces the sending antenna with smart glass. I'm not sure what they use as the receiving antenna, since smart glass can't be used for that purpose.

Smart glass currently requires around 5 watts per square meter / 10 square foot. For it to cover several rooms or large areas, there would have to be many smart windows.

The WiFi antenna of a standard fiber router requires about 5 watts.

So, a normal WiFi router uses less electricity and doesn't require line of sight to the antenna. It also doesn't require a separate method to receive data from the device.

103

Deyln t1_izenr5p wrote

Don't forget that wireless is one of the useful ones which separating data traffic is of use. Offload from the net at no extra cost as opposed to charging for the service.

This would allow for different bandwidths and some usage of mesh webs from Windows to Windows down the street.

Which in turn can be used for security. Your window notices a void on transmission and pings your community video camera to focus on that genre area and to store some video. (Been a few years since I last saw an update on this one making it outside the lab.)

11

CelticGaelic t1_izia1ph wrote

It seems to me this will also bring other meanings to the ever notorious phrase "Windows has stopped working"

2

Deyln t1_izl0pdq wrote

Yep. I was thinking more that it'd allow for a better/multiple viewing angles for porch pirates.

2