Improving the world with electrical engineering by David

Improving the world with electrical engineering by David - April 2023 Scholarship Essay

We are getting more connected each day as technology works its way into various aspects of our lives in the form of smart cars, smartphones, smart appliances. Electrical engineers carry crucial roles in hundreds of industries such as medical, construction, communications, energy, etc. With computers being used for everything from work to entertainment, it’s no secret that our society will become more and more dependent on these technologies and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future as the internet and other critical systems become digitized. Given unlimited time and resources I would use my skills as an electrical engineering student to work on developing and deploying new technologies to improve internet access and make it more equitable for everyone.

One of the main challenges in expanding internet access is the lack of infrastructure in remote and under-served areas. Traditional methods of laying fiber optic cables or installing cell towers can be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. However, new wireless technologies such as satellite and high-altitude platforms can help bridge this gap.

Satellite Internet is a technology that uses satellites in orbit around the Earth to provide internet access to remote and under-served regions. By connecting to a satellite network, users can access the internet from anywhere in the world, without requiring any physical infrastructure such as cables or towers. However, current satellite internet technologies can suffer from high latency and low bandwidth, making it difficult to support high-demand applications such as video streaming.

To address this issue, I would focus on developing new satellite internet technologies that can provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to remote regions. This could involve designing new satellites with better antennas, more efficient solar panels, and advanced communication technologies. Additionally, I would work on developing new ground stations to support satellite communication and improve connectivity.

High-altitude platforms, such as stratospheric balloons and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are another promising technology for expanding internet access. These platforms can be deployed in remote regions and act as relays to provide internet connectivity to ground-based users. By flying at high altitudes, these platforms can provide broader coverage than traditional cell towers, while also avoiding the need for expensive infrastructure.

To make these platforms more effective, I would work on developing new communication technologies that can operate in the challenging conditions of the upper atmosphere. This could involve designing new antennas, power systems, and control algorithms to improve reliability and efficiency.

Overall, with unlimited resources, I would work on developing and deploying new technologies to expand internet access to remote and under-served regions of the world. By making the internet more equitable and accessible, we can help bridge the digital divide and provide new opportunities for people around the world.