Wi-Fi has become an essential part of everyday life, as it is used for wireless Internet connection worldwide. Eliminating cables made the Internet truly free, allowing mobility and flexibility. Therefore, this technology has revolutionized the way we connect and communicate.
Sometimes, it can be not easy to understand the technology behind Wi-Fi. We are discussing specific hardware development and infrastructure where radio waves make this connectivity possible.
How Wi-Fi works: the technology behind it
By analyzing Wi-Fi network technology, we will understand how the Internet can reach our mobile phone, computer, tablet, or any other device without cables.
Frequencies and bands
As mentioned, Wi-Fi uses radio waves to transmit data between devices. These radio waves operate at different frequencies within the electromagnetic spectrum, typically in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The choice of band depends on factors such as speed, range, and spectrum congestion.
When a device wants to send data over Wi-Fi, it converts it into radio signals through modulation, which is modifying a radio frequency carrier signal with the desired information.
Once the modulated signals reach the receiver, they must be demodulated to recover the original information. This modulation and demodulation process is essential for wireless data transmission.
Wi-Fi networks also require network infrastructure, such as routers and access points, to facilitate communication between devices. These devices act as nodes on the network, directing data traffic and providing Internet connectivity.
Networks and protocols
Wi-Fi is only possible with a series of communication protocols, such as the IEEE 802.11 standard, which defines how devices should communicate with each other on a wireless network. These protocols establish rules for data transmission, security, and network management.
Considering this, one of Wi-Fi’s key features is its ability to support multiple devices simultaneously connected to the same network. This is achieved through multiple access techniques, such as CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance), which allows multiple devices to share the same communication channel efficiently and avoid data collisions.
Wi-Fi has evolved over the years by introducing new standards that improve network speed, range, and efficiency. The most common standards include 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax, each offering different features and benefits.
Antennas and MIMO
Antennas play a crucial role in transmitting and receiving Wi-Fi signals. MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology uses multiple antennas on both the transmitter and receiver to improve the speed and reliability of the wireless connection by transmitting multiple data streams simultaneously.
Wi-Fi network security
As a technology susceptible to being intercepted by third parties, security is critical in Wi-Fi networks. The information transmitted through the air can be vulnerable to attacks.
Various security protocols are used to protect data privacy and integrity, such as WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2), which encrypts communication between devices and requires authentication to access the network.
Also Read: How To Protect Our Wifi Router
