A stronger antenna for WiFi
A San Francisco-based company is breaking new ground when it comes to expanding the reach of WiFi networks according to this New York Times story (registration required):
A start-up company plans to announce new antenna technology on Monday that it says can expand the limits of a popular wireless Internet format, providing access to hundreds or even thousands of portable computer users at distances of more than 2,000 feet within buildings and about four miles outdoors.
...The Vivato technology, which stems from 1950's research for so-called phased-array antennas for military applications, makes it possible to electronically steer numerous radio beams from a single point. Focusing the beams increases their signal strength, and using large numbers of them greatly increases the antenna's traffic capacity.
"Most people don't understand it, but the antenna is the most important part of any radio," said Craig Mathias, president of the Farpoint Group, a wireless industry technical consultant.