signal strength

US-based aerospace and defense firm Boeing is working to improve the WiFi Internet service on its commercial aircraft. Surprisingly, the company is using potatoes as a low-tech solution to a high-tech problem. Recently, Boeing loaded passenger seats ... on a grounded aircraft with 9,000 kilograms (kg) of potatoes in sacks for several days, as technicians meticulously checked WiFi signal strengths. Because of their overall chemistry and high levels of water content, potatoes absorb and reflect radio wave signals much the same as human bodies. This makes standard spuds a suitable substitute for ... (view more)

While the Applie iPhone 4 has sold tremendously well, its launch has been mired by complaints of poor signal reception. It's been widely assumed this was due to the fact the new model is designed so that the antenna actually forms the perimeter of ... the handset itself. It appears that the hand, particularly if touching the bottom of the left hand edge of the phone, reduces the signal. One theory is that it isn't the physical blocking which is the issue, but rather than some of the energy in the signal is absorbed by the hand in the form of heat. (Source: tmcnet.com ) Apple Advertisements ... (view more)