Electronics & Software

Communications

Browse a wide range of solutions for challenges facing design engineers working with communication platforms that include applications in laser, acoustics, optical, tactile, and wireless communications. Find the latest technical briefs, articles, white papers, and webinars.

Stories

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Making Satellite, Ground Communication More Effective

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Moussa N’Gom has devised a method to make communications between satellites and the ground more effective — regardless of the weather.

Briefs: Communications

Lightweight, Self-Deployable Helical Antenna

NASA's newly developed antenna is lightweight (at or below 2 grams), low volume (at or below 1.2 cm3), and low stowage thickness (approx. 0.7 mm), all while delivering high performance (at or above 10 dBi gain).

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Quantum Computing Architecture May Enable High-Fidelity Communication

MIT researchers have developed a quantum computing architecture that aims to enable extensible, high-fidelity communication between superconducting quantum processors.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Future-Proofing Applications with Industrial Ethernet

While there may still be times when proprietary or serial communications are useful, the wide availability and low cost of high-performance industrial-specific devices and installation media are making industrial Ethernet the best approach for future-proofing applications and operating most efficiently.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

New Wireless System for Greater 5G Access

A new paper on wireless connectivity from researchers at the lab of Dinesh Bharadia, an affiliate of the UC San Diego Qualcomm Institute (QI), introduces a new technique for increasing access to the 5G-and-beyond millimeter wave (mmWave) network.

Briefs: Communications

Nanoscale 3D Structure to Control Light

3D nanometer-scale metamaterial structures hold promise for advanced optical isolators.

Quiz: Communications

How Much Do You Know About Satellite Communications?

The use of satellites for wireless and mobile communication applications has become a widespread practice across multiple industries. How much do you know about satellite communications? Test yourself with this quiz.

Special Reports: RF & Microwave Electronics

Rugged Computing & Electronics - June 2023

From the battlefield to the extremes of space, electronics and computing advances enable missions in the harshest conditions. Keep pace with the latest developments in this compendium of recent...

INSIDER: Government

NASA, Rocket Lab Launch First Pair of Storm Observing CubeSats

Two NASA CubeSats designed to study tropical cyclones, including hurricanes and typhoons, are in orbit after a successful launch.

Articles: Unmanned Systems

After the Storm — Rapid Location of Damaged Utility Poles

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a drone that can find and rapidly locate damaged utility poles.

Special Reports: Physical Sciences

RF & Microwave Electronics - May 2023

From the battlespace to outer space, RF electronics are at the heart of new advances in a variety of fields. Read about the latest innovations in this compendium of articles from the editors of Aerospace...

INSIDER: Communications

Self-Navigating Catamaran Can Carry Cargo into War Zones

A self-navigating, cargo-carrying sailboat designed by a team of Rice University engineering students could be a sustaining link for Marines hunkered down on shore during war. The...

Special Reports: Photonics/Optics

Optics & Photonics Innovations - April 2023

Demand for satellite communications bandwidth is quickly outstripping supply. The solution: optical, laser-based technologies. Read all about it – and other major photonics advances – in this...

Special Reports: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Power Electronics - April 2023

This compendium of recent articles from the editors of Tech Briefs and Aerospace & Defense Technology looks at the latest advances in power electronics and energy storage for applications ranging from drones...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Optical Signal Amplifying Technique

Optical Signals can be retrieved from inherent background noise using Talbot effect to amplify them.

Briefs: Materials

Nanoscale 3D Structure to Control Light

3D nanometer-scale metamaterial structures hold promise for advanced optical isolators.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Lunar Surface Navigation System

Scientists have developed a novel concept for a lunar navigation system based on the reverse-ephemeris technique.

INSIDER: Data Acquisition

NASA Targets 2026 for Launch of Israel's First Space Telescope

NASA will launch Israel’s first space telescope mission, the Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite (ULTRASAT). ULTRASAT, an ultraviolet observatory with a large field of...

Quiz: Electronics & Computers

How Much Do You Know About Wi-Fi 6?

Do you know some of the performance updates that have been added to Wi-Fi 6 since its introduction? Find out with this quiz.

INSIDER: Electronics & Computers

Blocking Electromagnetic Radiation with the Flip of a Switch

Researchers in Drexel University’s College of Engineering have developed a thin film device, fabricated by spray coating, that can block electromagnetic radiation with the flip...

INSIDER: Communications

Diamond Transistors

Researchers at Arizona State University and Northrop Grumman are working on a new project to create power transistors from diamond. The results could yield efficiencies that significantly shrink the size of electrical...

INSIDER: Energy

The Space Solar Power Demonstrator Has Launched

On January 3rd, the Caltech Space Solar Power Project (SSPP) launched into orbit a prototype, dubbed the Space Solar Power Demonstrator (SSPD), which will test several key components of an...

Quiz: Internet of Things

How Much Do You Know About GPS and its History?

The chances are very high that you're familiar with GPS. However, do you know how it came to be? Its trials and tribulations? Take this quiz to find out.