EM Control

Equipment and services that use electromagnetic signals are becoming widespread within the modern world. These include mobile phones and their associated long range transmission networks, mid-range wireless data networks in buildings, and short range ad-hoc networks formed by bluetooth enabled devices. For businesses such systems are becoming an intrinsic part of their everyday operations, and individuals often consider them to be a vital part of everyday life. However the optimisation, if not the actual operation, of these systems when working in everyday environments is often left to luck rather than being considered in the design of buildings, offices and homes.

arkiris - EM Control

Most people will have had their mobile coverage disappear when moving through a building or experience dead spots in Wi-fi coverage in certain areas of the home or office. Hence there is growing interest in ensuring new buildings are 'wireless friendly' as part of the early design process. To deliver this need improved architectural design tools are required in order to get the fundamental building design correct. Arkiris is part of the Wireless Friendly Building Forum, a group of academic and industrial parties engaged in understanding and addressing these fundamental design issues.

In addition to these guidelines 'wireless friendly' improved construction materials will be required that enhance signal propogation or eliminate sources of interference. These will be a key part of new buildings, considered at the very beginning of the design evolution. However they will also be required as retro-fit solutions in existing buildings, most of which will still be in use for decades to come, and will require updating to meet the demands of modern communications. Arkiris is developing a suite of materials and products that address the key requirements of frequency selective reflection, absorption and shielding that will be a key part of the solution to this emerging problem.