Ericsson recently did what few thought was possible. The guys (and gals) at Ericsson have successfully tested some new technologies that will ultimately allow copper wire to transmit data at speeds of up to 500 Mega bits per second (Mbps). Yes, that is two zeros.
What is even more surprising is that this is a form of DSL technology. DSL, usually much slower than cable and even more slower than the new fiber optic networks being laid down, can become a wave of change when this technology hits manufacturers and internet providers. To accomplish this, Ericsson used a technology called VDSL2 or Vectorized DSL2. In more layman's terms, it is also called crosstalk cancellation. (That didn't help me out either)
What VDSL2 or Crosstalk Cancellation means is the interference and data loss usually associated with copper wire is removed or taken out of the equation. What you end up with is pure data without any interference. This means that the bandwidth usually taken up by the noise and interference can now be used to transmit more data.
I think its best if we don't delve into the technicalities of the matter.
Here is a video to better understand bandwidth.
Either way, be sure to expect much higher bandwidth in the not so distant future.
Copper Tech
BMW Saves...
Who would have ever thought that "BMW" and "save" could be used in the same sentence positively. Now don't worry, BMW is not lowering the price of their vehicles (dammit) but they are taking a step in the right direction...the green direction that is. The engineers at BMW's Efficient Dynamics program have, with the help of NASA, figured out a way to increase the amount of power available to the car.
NASA developed a similar system for their satellites in space called thermo-electric generators whereby the heat generated from radioactive materials is turned into electricity. BMW has taken that technology to the next step by figuring out how to implement that in their product lineup. It seems they have succeeded in their efforts and are currently known to have a working prototype of the system in their hands...or under their test cars for that matter.
This is how they are supposed to workThe 5% on the other hand might also not seem like much but it is much more efficient than regenerative braking and start-stop engine management. Combine them all together and anything else BMW has up its sleeves and we could see a very useful and somewhat more efficient 7 Series cruising through the streets.
Goal line Tech
I recently discovered that England's Football Association (FA) (as in Soccer) have decided to re-visit the notion of goal line technology. To most of us across the ocean, this means little if nothing, but across the world, Football (Soccer) is as common and established as seeing a Starbucks at every street corner in New York city. Wonder how crazy all the business men and women would react if they didn't their morning fix of coffee? Its about as crazy as Soccer fans get when it comes to that sport. Bottom line...you don't want to know.
Anyway, the FA has decided to try out what it would be like if there are little tiny sensors in every soccer ball that will alert the referees when the ball has crossed the goal line. (For more information about the new soccer ball, check out this previous post)
The idea is to have tiny sensors on the field at either end of the goal line (refer to picture above) or by the edges of the goal posts and also another sensor in the actual soccer ball. This way, there will be no need for second guessing or relying on the eyes of other referees or improper camera angles to figure out exactly if there was a goal or not.
A side benefit to adding sensors to the field is that they can also be used to determine if the soccer ball has gone out of bounds on either side. The only issues that arise are how the sensor(s) will be placed in the soccer ball without disintegrating when a player kicks the ball and also how expensive this technology will be.
One thing is certain: the game will go on sensor or no sensor.
