Abstract
Cell Seeker is a portable direction-finding device designed for search-and-rescue. It relies on four patch antennas in a one-by-four array which may be used to detect cell phone signals from individuals who are lost in remote areas. Many current solutions for direction finding require access to a global positioning system (GPS), but Cell Seeker is capable of operating remotely with no internet connection. The four patch antennas detect incoming signals at slightly different angles, and these phase-offset signals are put through two Wilkinson power combiners and a ring hybrid. This creates sum and difference plots of signal magnitude across a range of directions that the user has swept. The magnitude and phase data is then fed into a LimeSDR, which acts as an analog-to-digital converter so that the data about the signal’s direction of origin may be displayed more easily to a user. The backend consists of a Raspberry Pi 4B which processes the data from the LimeSDR and is programmed to display this information on a seven-inch screen. The display consists of an arrow which points to the direction of the largest magnitude incoming signal so that the user can locate their target. An inertial measurement unit attached to the Raspberry Pi allows the arrow that is displayed on the screen to change direction as the user continues to rotate so that they may orient themselves correctly, with the arrow facing upwards on the compass meaning they are facing the direction of the signal’s origin. The Cell Seeker prototype was designed for the amateur radio band of 1.24 to 1.3 GHz so that testing of the Cell Seeker would comply with Federal Communications Commission regulations, yet still operate in frequencies near those of cellular devices. To upgrade the device so that it could detect modern cellphones, the antennas and radio frequency circuit board would be slightly adjusted since both involve frequency-dependent microwave analysis.
Since my group’s technical project is based on radio frequency (RF) engineering, I also wanted to consider how society reacts to advances in RF technology, given how exposed we are to the uses and implications of new RF devices. The introduction of new RF technology, such as 5G cell phones, 6GHz Wi-Fi, and dozens of other examples are hot topics among engineers and non-engineers alike. There are, of course, conspiracy theories about the effects of new RF technology, in addition legitimate concerns voiced by the public. My research paper uses fifth-generation (5G) cellular as a case study for examining the public’s reaction to new radio frequency technology. I perform this analysis through the social construction of technology (SCoT) and social acceptance of technology (SAT) frameworks. SCoT reveals that 5G technology is far from reaching social closure, with those who oppose the technology still resisting its implementation years after its release. SAT examines the user experience across all groups evenly, and through analysis of this experience describes how trust in technology is fundamental to its acceptance. This trust is often a key missing component for users who resist the implementation of 5G, given that there is conflicting information online about the safety of 5G technology. Additionally, some users may remain suspicious even if presented with scientific evidence which backs the safety of 5G, given that the researchers who promote its safety may stand to profit from 5G’s success. Studies on human reasoning reveal that dispelling conspiracy theories and safety concerns about technology is most effectively achieved through increased reasoning skills, rather than a presentation of facts and studies. Therefore, I conclude my research paper by asserting that we must implement educational curricula which prioritize logical reasoning as a valuable skill, increasing the acceptance of 5G and similar radio frequency technologies in the future.
My technical project and sociotechnical research are deeply intertwined. Given that Cell Seeker is designed as a consumer product, it is important to consider how potential users will respond to the technology. Success of a radio frequency product such as Cell Seeker requires favorable opinions from customers, and therefore public acceptance of RF technology is important to consider. Through my research into acceptance of 5G cellular, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the factors which influence users’ opinions on novel technology in the radio frequency space. My conclusions are that trust and individual analytical reasoning were two key factors in the implementation of 5G which made its launch contentious, and therefore if my group were to promote Cell Seeker as a consumer product it would be important for us to consider these metrics.
