The pipes are used as a waveguide I presume so no interference from the outside. What about attenuation and dispersion from the multiple bends on the pipe? How many households can truly be served with one transceiver?
I'd better seek some advice from my EMF professor before getting too excited
Transmaster Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20 Cheyenne, WY
The National Spokesmen for BVM
What about the low voltage current that is presently being used on gas lines to slow corrosion in the metal pipes. Is this going to impact any Broadband via Methane (BVM)installation. I just thought of something I have the perfect spokesmen for BVM.....»www.mrmethane.com -- Low voltage Tech's are wimps, Real tech's use 45 pound filament transformers, plate voltages no less then 2400 volts with at least 10 amp's lighting 8877 triodes...BPL I'm coming to get you.
That low voltage is DC, it will not affect a GHz electromagnetic field traversing the inside of the pipe. A problem would arise if the pipe has a metallic screen for a filter as that will effectively reflect the signal back. Also an abrupt change in the pipe diameter will cause some reflection and attenuation (thicker main pipe to thinner pipe going to the home). having to replace the gas pipes with "broadband-compatible" ones will certainly make BiG unfeasible.
They are probably using the trace wire installed along with the polyethylene (PE) pipes used for gas distrubibution lines. The trace wire is used to find the gas line (dial before you dig).
