5 ms·
If many of the people replying to this comment had read the article, they would know that the low power device in question sends data by altering its reflectivi
by yummypaint 3y ago
If many of the people replying to this comment had read the article, they would know that the low power device in question sends data by altering its reflectivity. It's metaphorically like covering and uncovering a retroreflector to send signals to a person a mile away with a powerful spotlight or laser pointed at you.
It seems reasonable to be concerned about what this significantly stronger and likely highly-directed signal might do to biological things it encounters on its way.
- cogman10 3y agoI wish the article had a reference to the actual power used. It SOUNDS like it's quiet minimal. In which case, it'd be hard to imagine you are dealing with biologically devastating energy. That said, the unidirectional nature of this approach also means that actual life that could be affected is a lot smaller than what happens with sonar, where the signal is blasted in all directions at a very high power.
- isoprophlex 3y agoThis, or something very similar, was posted a long time ago here. I cant find it anymore, sadly, but it was a backscatter-based communication platform that used very low power in the underwater part... And illuminated that with 210 dB sound. I guess this is similar, and equally disruptive to sea life.