Whether it’s viewing architectural plans or enabling Internet of Things (IoT) devices, access to a reliable, high-speed internet connection is increasingly becoming a priority on construction sites. But with scope and timescales often varying so much between projects, is there such thing as a one-size-fits-all for internet connectivity? Here, Kristian Torode, director and co-founder of business IT provider Crystaline, investigates. Construction workers are increasingly finding themselves in need of a faster, more reliable internet connection. Whether it’s accessing architectural plans or 3D CAD diagrams, the ability to share, edit and download large files is becoming more and more essential to the daily operation of sites. This need is exacerbated further in larger developments, where multiple teams across the site need to be able to communicate with one another. Internet access can also facilitate the implementation of IoT technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM uses a host of cameras and sensors on-site to create a digital model of the project as construction work goes on, allowing for architects and engineers to validate the structure’s integrity throughout. As a result, minor errors or faults can be spotted much more quickly, preventing long project delays. Security is another area that can benefit, with remote CCTV monitoring and the ability to set up more sophisticated locking systems at gates and barriers. Using personal devices But how can construction sites get online? The first, and perhaps easiest option, is to rely on workers to use their own personal devices to access the internet. And for quick access to one or two individual files, such an approach might be sufficient. But problems can quickly arise as soon as there’s a need to do more. Workers may not have sufficient data plans to access everything they need, for example. This can be alleviated in part by using devices to ‘tether’ to one another and sharing data that way, but it often results in slow speeds for the user and is unlikely to be able to support more than one or two devices at a time. And for businesses who are paying for company plans, it might be that the cost of multiple unlimited data plans quickly starts to add up. Fixed broadband So, what about installing a broadband line? For long-term projects lasting several years, in areas already with access to ultrafast broadband, this might be the most appropriate solution. But often, projects must work on a shorter timeframe. With most broadband contracts locking customers in for 12 or 24-month periods, it often isn’t financially viable for workers who may only be on-site for half that time, for example. And with the time it takes to lay a new fixed line varying from weeks to months, particularly in remote areas or those with more challenging terrain, it could result in a significant and crucial part of the project not having the connectivity required. With the upcoming PSTN and ADSL broadband stop sells in September 2023, setting up new connections on these old lines will no longer be possible, presenting an additional challenge to construction companies looking to get their sites online. Rolling out 5G routers Rather than relying on personal device usage or long-term broadband plans, a 5G router could provide the ideal solution. 5G routers provide connectivity via mobile network connections rather than on fixed broadband lines, meaning they can be plugged in anywhere to provide connectivity within minutes. With 5G up to ten times faster than 4G, and just a fraction of the latency, a 5G router offers enough speed and bandwidth for multiple workers to access any file they might need or hold video meetings with other colleagues. Crystaline offers TCL’s LinkHub 5G HH515 router which can support up to 256 connections alone. Capable of delivering speeds up to 4.67 Gpbs, it’s on par with most fibre connections, without the long setup. Other benefits include the ease of setting up ‘Guest Wi-Fi’, which can help improve cybersecurity by separating visitor connections from employees. Many routers, including the LinkHub, will also come with an app for additional functionalities, allowing for any changes and upgrades to be carried out remotely. With the size and scale of construction sites varying so much between projects, finding the right solution to fit can be a challenge. But with the flexibility of a router, combined with the UK’s ongoing 5G rollout, it could be the answer to providing businesses with high-speed, reliable internet, wherever the job next takes you. Crystaline supplies a range of 5G routers to suit a variety of construction site specifications. To discuss your individual needs with a member of the team, please get in touch. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Having been largely confined to the realm of academia for many years, metamaterials are now set for commercialization in several major applications. The IDTechEx report, “Metamaterials Markets 2023-2043: Optical and Radio-Frequency”, explores the opportunities within this emerging materials technology. A particularly significant emergent application of electromagnetic metamaterials is in supporting the deployment of high-frequency telecommunications, such as millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G and even THz. High frequencies can allow for faster data transfer and hence improved user experience. However, at high frequencies, there is a severe loss in energy across long distances. These problems can be further exacerbated by obstacles, as is common in urban environments. As a result, a low-power device that can facilitate the delivery of high-frequency signals in crowded environments is required. Metamaterials offer a potential solution through enabling the development of “Reconfigurable Intelligent Systems”, or RIS for short. These systems integrate electronic components to reflect radio waves in specific, configurable directions – enabling signals to be reflected around obstacles, thus overcoming the issues of signal blockage. RIS can potentially even track users autonomously for directed communications, allowing for greater signal quality and improved security by reducing the likelihood of connection by unauthorized users. These advantages that RIS propose have drawn attention from telecom providers such as Verizon, who partnered with RIS-developer Pivotal Commware in 2020 to deploy the latter’s products in supporting mmWave 5G deployment. If beaming a signal in a specific direction were the only goal, then this could be achieved using conventional relay stations. However, RIS offers two crucial advantages – namely, their low power use and small form factor. This allows them to be deployed at scale in areas where a conventional relay station would not fit, such as above traffic lights at crowded junctions or under a ceiling in a stadium, significantly improving 5G coverage in crowded environments. The requirement of low power also greatly reduces the costs of operating a widespread network, and it may even be possible to power some RIS devices from built-in energy harvesting systems such as solar photovoltaics. Deployment at scale for RIS would only be possible if each device could be produced affordably – as such, the materials used and manufacturing process are of key concern. RIS developers, such as Greenerwave and Pivotal Commware, have thus designed their devices to be compatible with conventional PCB components and manufacturing methods. That these rely on well-founded industries ensures manufacturing can be carried out affordably at scale. The devices discussed above incorporated electronic components to actively steer signals; however, electronic components are not a prerequisite. A feature central to metamaterials is their ability to reflect at otherwise unachievable angles, and so may conceivably be deployed as “mirrors” to passively reflect signals around corners. Transparent metamaterial sheets capable of this functionality pose a significant materials opportunity, as they may be integrable with existing structures such as windows or walls. An example of such a product is demonstrated by Meta Materials Inc and Sekisui, who entered a collaboration in 2021 to develop a transparent conductive reflector film that can reflect signals for improved mmWave signal coverage.  Thus far, only reflection has been considered – however, metamaterials can also enhance high-frequency telecommunications through improving the transmission of signals through windows. Low-emissivity glass contains a very thin transparent layer of metal oxide to block UV and infrared radiation; such glass can be found in the windows of regular households, businesses, and in the windshields of cars. It is becoming increasingly common for consumers to choose low-emissivity glass in order to improve energy efficiency and minimize utility bills. However, these also have the effect of blocking wireless communication signals and thus causes poor phone reception. By incorporating a transparent metamaterial film, the strength of high-frequency signals within buildings can be greatly enhanced. Indeed, such high-frequency signals experience particularly significant attenuation and may necessitate metamaterials for any viable indoor phone reception. 5G has been commercialized since 2019, but to date, mmWave has been impeded by the high costs necessary for implementation. The short range of mmWave requires large numbers of base stations to be installed, thus making it expensive and unattractive. However, metamaterial-based RIS may be set to revolutionize the market by enabling affordable, widespread coverage, paving the way for future high-frequency telecommunications. In the IDTechEx report “Metamaterials Markets 2023-2043: Optical and Radio-Frequency”, the potential of metamaterial-based RIS is analyzed in depth to assess the potential for this emergent technology in supporting high-frequency telecommunications. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Enel Global Infrastructure & Networks will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide reliable and sustainable power across its networks in Italy and Spain thanks to the installation of ABB’s innovative SF6-free Ring Main Units (RMUs), specifically designed for Enel’s requirements. The project represents an important step towards delivering increasingly sustainable power grids, as ABB’s low pressure 24kV solution has the same footprint, safety and reliability as traditional SF6 solutions. The pilot installation involves 20 new ABB SafePlus AirPlus™ Medium Voltage (MV) RMUs in Enel’s secondary substations across Italy and Spain and will contribute to minimize their global warming potential, while making switchgear operation and maintenance safer for personnel.  Gas insulated switchgear, widely used in MV secondary substations, conventionally contain SF6 – which has excellent dielectric and arc extinguishing properties, but at the same time is the world’s most potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential 25,200 times that of CO2. The new SafePlus AirPlus, part of ABB’s ecoGIS family of products, features innovative Load Break Switches (LBS) optimized for SF6-alternative gases. Unlike traditional alternatives, the switch is based on puffer interrupter technology and functions as both a load break and disconnector switch for maximum safety. ABB’s SafePlus AirPlus low-pressure design with its 0.4 bar relative pressure, reduces the risk of leaks and accidents due to electrical arcs and makes it very safe to operate, even in the case of abnormal gas leakages where high pressure alternatives would need be switched off immediately. Therefore, in the unlikely event of a leakage, ABB’s low-pressure design based on AirPlus as an eco-friendly SF6 alternative, ensures highest availability and reliability of the network.  Alessandro Palin, Division President of ABB Distribution Solutions, comments: “The installation of the world’s first SF6-free SafePlus AirPlus™ Ring Main Units is another example of ABB working in partnership with customers to create sustainable solutions that are better for our planet and our society. With ongoing political discussions about a complete ban of SF6 in new installations, including the EU’s latest proposal, this proves that migrating to a more certain future with SF6-free alternatives, which practically offer the same known and proven benefits, is possible, and possible now.”  “To reach our Net-Zero goals, sustainability must be at the core of our present and future business. For this reason, at Enel we started integrating new principles in all our processes, including sustainable specifications together with technical and economical parameters already in place,” added Francesco Amadei, Head of Engineering & Construction, Enel Global Infrastructure and Networks for Enel. “The collaboration with innovative partners such as ABB is key to accelerating the delivery of sustainable grids worldwide, a challenging path forward that must include all components and assets of the value chain. Innovative solutions like ABB’s SF6-free technology will help us to minimize our global warming impact and support our commitment to the 13th SDG goal – Climate Action. They will also help to make our networks increasingly safe and reliable, ensuring continuity and quality of the electricity supply to our customers.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News