Technology Blog

Image 1: The wireless house of the future might use a system being developed at Purdue University that could eliminate wires for communications in homes, businesses and cars. The researchers designed and built a miniature device capable of converting ultra fast laser pulses into bursts of radio-frequency signals using innovative "microring resonators." Such an advance could enable all communications, from high-definition television broadcasts to secure computer connections, to be transmitted from a single base station. Credit: Purdue University, Michael EspositoImage 2: This diagram shows the design for new silicon "microring resonators," miniature devices used in a system that converts ultra fast laser pulses into bursts of radio-frequency signals. The innovation is a step toward making wires obsolete for communications in homes and offices. Such an advance could enable all communications, from high-definition television broadcasts to secure computer connections, to be transmitted from a