Innovation That Matters

Saltwater antenna can pick up radio signals at sea

Telecommunications

Mitsubishi's SeaAerial uses a plume of seawater to pick up radio signals at sea and near the coast.

Radio aerials are normally made of metal and conductive materials, but Mitsubishi has developed a new technology which uses seawater to transmit radio signals. SeaAerial is a portable radio antenna for use near coasts and at sea.

SeaAerial floats in the water, and has a pump that shoots a tower of water into the air, which can pick up radio and digital signals. The plume of seawater can be used as an antenna, and an insulated nozzle transmits radio waves even if it is immersed in water. The tower uses saltwater, which is a far stronger conductor than fresh water.

mitsubishi-antenna-radio

The water antenna is around 70 percent efficient when compared to traditional metal towers, but it has added mobility for shorelines and coastal facilities. It is also the first seawater antenna capable of receiving digital transmissions, and could prove cheaper than installing radio receiving towers near coastlines.

How could this tech be used?

Website: www.mitsubishielectric.com

Contact: www.mitsubishielectric.com/contact