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<H1><A title="Aaron Traxinger holds an MSU antenna"
href="http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_5d34096a-7031-11df-8eca-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=image&photo=1"><IMG
id=img-holder alt=""
src="http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/bozemandailychronicle.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/5/4d/2af/54d2af60-7031-11df-8850-001cc4c002e0.preview-300.jpg?_dc=1275694302"></A></H1>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Aaron Traxinger holds an antenna developed
</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>by MSU researchers in collaboration with
</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Inc., of Bozeman.
</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>The antenna is a cylinder that's about three
</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>inches in diameter and a foot long. </FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT size=2>(Credit: MSU photo by Kelly Gorham)</FONT></EM></DIV>
<H1>New cell phone antenna</H1>
<P>Emergency workers in rugged, rural areas may never lose a cell phone call
again thanks to a new antenna developed by Montana State University researchers
in collaboration with Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Inc.</P>
<P>Dropped calls when using a cell phone in rough terrain is a common problem
that can be addressed by the MSU antenna, according to the developers.</P>
<P>The MSU antenna is considered a "smart" or "adaptive array" antenna because
it uses a computer chip to automatically aim the message transmission beam in
the right direction, chooses the most appropriate signal strength, optimizes the
strength of transmitted beams and adapts to the environment. </P>
<P>The automatic control allows users to communicate in rugged terrain while on
the move. Unlike normal antennas, which broadcast in all directions
simultaneously, smart antennas maintain a direct signal between individuals
users, which could mean fewer dropped calls and the ability to move more data,
such as streaming video.</P>
<P>With help from student teams, the researchers built and successfully tested a
prototype under mobile use in rugged Montana terrain. First responders in
Eastern Montana, firefighters in the wilderness, telecommunications providers in
remote areas and soldiers in Afghanistan are among those who might use the MSU
technology that's available now for licensing.</P>
<P>Unlike most commercial smart antennas that have a limited range of 120
degrees or less, the MSU antenna can rapidly process signals in a 360-degree
range.</P>
<P>The MSU antenna can lock onto one signal and tune out unwanted signals,
giving users a stronger, clearer, more reliable signal than they'd have
otherwise. The MSU antenna can track and hold a signal even when the sender or
receiver is moving. It is also capable of high bandwidth transmissions such as
sending live video. Users might want to optimize communications by integrating
the antenna with other antennas to form a "meshed" network in a back-country
environment for emergency response or military operations.</P>
<P>The MSU antenna is a cylinder about three inches in diameter and a foot long.
It weighs less than eight pounds.</P>
<P>"We designed this intentionally to be small. It could be used in many
applications where having something small and light is very desirable," said
Richard Wolff, Gilhousen Telecommunications Chair in MSU's Department of
Electrical and Computer Engineering.</P>
<P>See the full Montana State University Press Release at<BR><A
href="http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=8548"
target=_blank>http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=8548</A></P>
<P> </P>
<P>Fonte: <STRONG>George Boorer ZL3PN</STRONG> for spotting this
item</P></FONT></BODY></HTML>