Holography used in telecommunications

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the potential applications of holography in telecommunications, particularly in the context of computer networking and related research. Participants explore various aspects of holography, including its theoretical implications and practical applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the applications of holography in telecommunications and seeks literature on the topic.
  • Another participant suggests that the only application they can think of is the accurate surface mapping of parabolic reflector dishes using off-axis microwave signals.
  • A participant shares an anecdote from the 1970s about testing microwave links, proposing that the setup creates a hologram due to the combination of direct and reflected signals.
  • One participant argues that amplitude alone is insufficient for creating a hologram and emphasizes the need for a separate fixed antenna as a phase reference.
  • Another participant asserts that a hologram captures phase information within the interference pattern, suggesting that a separate phase measurement may not be necessary.
  • A further contribution clarifies that in optical systems, two different paths for light are used to create a phase reference for recording a hologram.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of a phase reference in holography, with some arguing it is essential while others contend that phase information can be captured without it. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific applications of holography in telecommunications.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific definitions of holography and its applications, and there are unresolved questions about the practical implementation of the discussed concepts.

ElectroFractal
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TL;DR
I am curious to know if holography is used in telecommunications or if there is research on this topic.
Hi PF!

I am interested to know whether there are applications of holography in telecommunications, and if there is research on this topic. If there is some literature on this topic (provided holography is used in computer networking) where I can read and learn more in-depth about this topic, I will appreciate it very much

Thanks in advance!
 
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In the 1970s we used to occasionally test microwave links by raising an antenna up the mast from ground level. The received power varied in a rippling manner as height was increased, depending on the path. The cause of this ripple is that the direct signal (which may be considered the reference) combines with a delayed ground reflected signal and the two combine as phasors. I realized that this set up is creating a hologram, as with light. The ripple is a holographic image of the path. However, was never able to try and read-back the final plot in some sort of holographic way, such as with a laser, so never tested it. I suppose today a computer could analyse the information directly. I imagine the result would just be the location of any ground reflected images.
 
tech99 said:
I realized that this set up is creating a hologram, as with light.
Amplitude alone is insufficient. By using a separate fixed antenna as a phase reference, then recording the amplitude and the phase as you raise the antenna, you will have a hologram.
 
My understanding was that the hologram captures the phase information within the interference pattern, so that a separate phase measurement is not required.
 
You need a phase reference. In an optical system you use two different paths for the light, the light reflected from an object and another beam coherent with the first but taking a different path to the recording medium thus acting as a phase reference.
 
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