The New York Times breaks down some of the mobile technology filling out the parts list of high-end cars
these days. Their example Mercedes-Benz S-Class sports "18 or more" antennas hidden all over the car in body panels,
wheel wells, window glass, bumpers, the trunk, the roof, etc. These antennas are used for many helpful features added
to new cars like, cruise control, tire pressure monitoring, RFID keyless entry and ignition, satellite radio, OnStar,
and even television. The new Acura RL sports a lot of this same technology which I have
started to examine up close.
This niche blog has now been merged into the The Wireless Report (www.thewirelessreport.com), which covers all things wireless.
New Cars Becoming Hidden Antenna Farms
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. You raise an interesting point that really got me thinking!
First, I don't think these car-borne systems will be sources of interference for WiFi and VOIP over wireless. It's unlikely because the technologies don't use the same radio frequencies.
However, all of these various radios *CAN* interfere with other similar radios even on different vehicles. Think about this: What would happen with 50 Mercedes all driving down the road next to each other broadcasting tire pressure information for 200 tires? This could happen on any car using the same technology if on-car wireless finds widespread adoption.
Admittedly the power is very low, but that could still be a very crowded radio spectrum and a situation ripe for interference. As more transmitters are installed onto cars, interference becomes more of an issue*.
*Job Market Alert: I bet RF Engineers are in growing demand in the automotive industry.
Posted at 4:18AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Mike Outmesguine
4. With all the advancements in cars over the years, this revelation makes a kind of sense. After all, it makes me think just how do the newer cars recieve the signal for a keyless entry from the fob attachment. As for possible interference I believe that so far, none of the cars I review at http://www.newcaralerts.com/ have caused me any serious problems on that front.
1. Mike,
Do you think that, over time, as more vehicles become "antenna farms" a parking lot full of active antennas, or a highway outside a building, will begin to be a big interference problem for a public building offering wireless and using voip telephones over wireless?
TIA,
Heather
Posted at 4:18AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Heather Hurley