Eli5:Why is it that cell phones , with their tiny antenaes are able to download files at LTE speeds inside concrete buildings from cell towers kilometers away yet getting wifi to work behind a corner is an exercise in frustration?

Question

Eli5:Why is it that cell phones , with their tiny antenaes are able to download files at LTE speeds inside concrete buildings from cell towers kilometers away yet getting wifi to work behind a corner is an exercise in frustration?

In: 2387

Answer 1

NASA uses ZigBee wifi (900mhz) for communicating between their rover and their drone copter. With the lack of other signals and thinner atmosphere they’re theoretically able to connect over distances of over 2700 feet.

https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/20/22445330/zigbee-on-mars-ingenuity-helicopter-perseverance-rover