Cellphone networks often face heavy opposition when they build new base
station masts. So NEC of Tokyo has invented a way of making do with fewer of
them (GB 2350024). Base stations transmit over short range, dividing the
landscape into a mosaic of cells. A phone is “handed off” as it moves from one
cell to another. NEC suggests reducing the strength of the transmitted signal in
busy cells, while increasing signal strength in adjacent cells. This makes the
effective size of each cell contract and expand, depending on call traffic. The
base stations work together, reducing and boosting signal strength in harmony,
so no gaps open up.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Google shouldn’t be pressuring schools to use its AI
91ɫÇéƬ
Technology
Australia’s social media ban faces high court challenge
News
Technology
The nuclear waste repository in Finland designed to outlast modern civilisation
Features
Technology
How did the biggest crypto heist in history just happen?
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles