Multi-gigabit wireless computers

New research at the Georgia Institute of Technology could soon make that tangle of wires under desks and in data centers a thing of the past.

Researchers at the Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC) at Georgia Tech are investigating the use of extremely high radio frequencies (RF) to achieve broad bandwidth and high data transmission rates over short distances.

Within three years, this multi-gigabit wireless approach could result in a bevy of personal area network (PAN) applications, including next generation home multimedia and wireless data connections able to transfer an entire DVD in seconds.

The research focuses on RF frequencies around 60 gigahertz (GHz), which are currently unlicensed -- free for anyone to use -- in the United States. GEDC scientists have already achieved wireless data-transfer rates of 15 gigabits per second (Gbps) at a distance of 1 meter, 10 Gbps at 2 meters and 5 Gbps at 5 meters.

The goal here is to maximize data throughput to make possible a host of new wireless applications for home and office connectivity, said Prof. Joy Laskar, GEDC director and lead researcher on the project along with Stephane Pinel.

GEDCs multi-gigabit wireless research is expected to lend itself to two major types of applications, data and video, said Pinel, a GEDC research scientist.........

PC That Saves Energy

The world is moving towards technological advancement overlooking many priorities, and it is evident now that we are moving ahead at the cost of our own future. Carbon emissions are inarguably growing into an epidemic, while sources from all walks of life strive a bit in the direction to curb the headed catastrophe players from the Silicon Valley too feel the need to catch up, cutting on their energy consumptions and the carbon footprints.

With energy conservation as brainwave, Zonbu has resorted to the idea of detested subscription based PC, with all amenities - it is an ultra mini PC thatll be a sale for $99 with the subscriptions priced between $12.95 to $19.95 per month.

Zonbu (certified by the Green Electronics Council) can be purchased through its website, zonbu.com, and is a perfect deal cause the 15watt PC can save up to $10 a month in electricity capered to the standard 200watt PC.

Zonbu the energy efficient PC, comes with an intel powered microprocessor from VIA technologies of Taiwan with 512 MB RAM plus 4 GB flash memory instead of the regular (power consuming) disk drive. The PC also uses the Gentoo version of the Linux operating system that allows a free upgrade to latest version of all the applications, the device comes without the power-consuming fan as well.

Grgoire Gentil and Alain Rossmann are the names that have devised this device with a green twist, setting an example for the computer related equipment manufacturers to build products that are more energy-efficient. It may be difficult to fathom consumers going in for the energy efficient device that sells on the much unappreciated subscription system, yet, the two designers believe the PC will sell like cellphones with people paying out of their monthly earnings.

Zonbu is without the keyboard, mouse and monitor, which the company will sell as options. This PC fits in the category of the second PC at home and can surely be a good solution to curb power consumption, giving your kids a PC in the kitchen.