Wireless networks operate using radio signal frequency to communicate among computers and other network devices.
This provides freedom of movement and the ability to extend applications to different parts of a building, city, or nearly anywhere in the world.
Sometimes it’s also referred to Wi-Fi network or WLAN. This network is getting popular nowadays due to easy to setup feature and no cabling involved.
In 1997, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) created the first WLAN standard. 802.11 only supports a maximum network bandwidth of 2 Mbps — too slow for most applications.
Nowadays most wireless devices use the 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.1ax standards.
802.11ax or Wi-Fi 6 is the newest version of the 802.11 standards for wireless network transmissions. It enables more devices to simultaneously operate on the same Wi-Fi channel, which improves the efficiency, latency times, and data throughput of your wireless network.
Wireless Signals
Wireless signals are electromagnetic waves traveling through the air. These are formed when electric energy travels through a piece of metal — for example, a wire or antenna — and waves are formed around that piece of metal.
These waves can travel some distance depending on the strength of that energy.
Wireless signals are important because they can transfer information, audio, video, our voices, etc.
There are two types of Wi-Fi signals, based on the frequencies they use:
2.4GHz — A lower frequency, this is the more common Wi-Fi technology in use today. Many devices use it, so the signals can become more crowded and interfere with each other.
5GHz — This higher frequency technology is used by fewer devices, and can sometimes achieve higher speeds because the frequencies are less crowded.
It cannot pass through walls and windows as well as the 2.4GHz band signals, so the range of 5GHz technology is often shorter. These two types of Wi-Fi are called Frequency Bands.
Remember the higher the frequency, the greater the amount of data transmitted per second. Lower frequencies, on the other hand, cover a wider distance.
Wireless Channels
A wireless channel is a specific division of frequencies within a specific wireless band.
For the 2.4GHz band, there are 14 channels in total.
If you are building networks in the United States, you can only use channels 1 through 11.
Channels 1, 6, and 11 are the most frequently used for 2.4 GHz.
Now the 5GHz frequency band is much wider and has more channels.
Fortunately, these channels do not overlap, so you don’t have to worry about picking non-standard channels like in the 2.4GHz band.
Radio Interference
If you use a 2.4GHz router and live in a densely populated area, your neighbor's Wi-Fi network could interfere with yours, hindering the performance and range of your wireless network.
Wi-Fi equipment in the U.S. often ships with its default Wi-Fi channel set to 6. If encountering interference from other devices within the home, consider changing the channel.
The three Wi-Fi channels 1, 6, and 11 have no frequency overlap with each other. Use one of these three channels for the best results.
Interference can also come from other electronics and appliances that aren’t connected to your wireless network: microwaves, cordless phones, tablets, etc.
Wireless Antennas
Antennas are also key components of these radio communication systems, picking up incoming signals or radiating outgoing Wi-Fi signals. They help in facilitating the wireless signal we use to browse the web.
Wi-Fi Antennas are classified into three types:
Omnidirectional Antennas — an omnidirectional antenna sends a signal out equally in all directions around it, usually used for indoor purposes.
Semi Directional Antenna — antennas that transmit radio waves in a particular pattern.
Directional Antenna — antennas that transmit energy in a specific direction only. It’s used in point-to-point communication.
Conclusion
A wireless network is more flexible and adaptable compared to a wired network and is easy to expand and set up.
Nowadays setting up a wireless network is really easy to do, and there are a ton of wireless products to choose from in addition to plenty of resources available to help you with setup and configuration of the wireless network if needed.
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