The early 20th century was marked by a massive change in the way people connect, which was caused by the emergence of wireless communications. Today, the change continues to expand and even the most simple telecommunications are able to connect people across previously unimaginable distances.
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Transmission is a straightforward process that goes as follows - radio transmitters convey messages over a specific electromagnetic frequency, which are then detected by transmitters tuned to those same bandwidths and converted back into audio via a speaker. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was possible to obstruct these signals with screenings manufactured from reflective materials, such as aluminum.
Contemporary mobile broadband operates on a surprisingly similar principle – radio frequency spectrum is used to pass information on between cell towers and the portable modems in people’s digital devices. However, the modern technology faces some of the same problems that its predecessor, the radio transmission, did.
External influences, such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radiofrequency interference (RFI), can disturb the signal. Those interferences can be caused by construction materials, such as aluminum screenings.
The Benefits of Fiberglass Screenings
Fiberglass products consist of non-metal components, including silica- and polymer-based textiles, as well as a number of reinforcing resins. These are non-conductive and non-magnetic composites that offer significant improvements over reflective aluminum in terms of RF and EM transmission.
While aluminum can be used to shield components from these frequencies and protect sensitive equipment, fiberglass screenings are used to shield cellular equipment without obstructing the transmission and reception of digital signals.
Steel is another component that can have a screening application. And although it is fully transparent to electronic transmissions, it proves to be unsuitable for the screening processes given its increased cost and weight.
Fiberglass is as much as 75% lighter than steel. Therefore, by using it, architects and engineers have the opportunity to reduce the weight profile of protective equipment for rooftop cellular communications without compromising the structural integrity of critical equipment.
Transparent Fiberglass Screenings from Strongwell
With superior strength-to-weight portfolios compared to aluminum and vastly improved EM and RF transparency, fiberglass components offer a unique solution for functional and aesthetic screenings in construction and cellular applications.
The materials offered by Strongwell have been certified by the Los Angeles Research Report (L.A.R.R) for use in electromagnetic and radiofrequency transparent applications. The certified fiberglass screening products are:
- EXTREN® non-magnetic structural shapes and plates;
- DURASHIELD® interlocking panels for total EM and RF transparency;
- SAFPLANK® cellular wall panels for lightweight rooftop screenings;
- FIREBOLT® non-magnetic studs and nuts for total EM and RF transparent screening solutions.
All of those are suitable for screening cellular components with different structural shapes and plates, and can also be applied as components for engineering cellular enclosures.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Strongwell Corporation.
For more information on this source, please visit Strongwell Corporation.