Wi-Fi Technology:
Wi-Fi is a wireless technology that enables devices to connect to a local area network (LAN) using radio waves. It allows devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices to access the internet and communicate with each other wirelessly. Wi-Fi networks consist of a router or access point that broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal, and can be secured using encryption protocols such as WPA2 or WPA3.
A group of researchers at NCR Corporation/WaveLAN, including Vic Hayes and John O’Sullivan, created Wi-Fi technology in 1991. Their project involved developing a wireless substitute for Ethernet in order to link computers within a local area network (LAN). In 1997, the 802.11 protocol-based initial version of Wi-Fi was made available for consumer use.
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Types of Wi-Fi Technology:
There are three common types of Wi-Fi technology:
- LAN
- MAN
- WAN
LAN:
LAN Wi-Fi refers to a wireless local area network that uses Wi-Fi technology for wireless connectivity among devices within a limited geographic area. This setup is commonly used in homes, offices, cafes, airports, and other public spaces to provide wireless internet access and facilitate communication among devices. In a LAN Wi-Fi setup, one or more Wi-Fi access points or routers are typically used to create the wireless network, and security measures such as encryption and password protection are often implemented to secure the network.
MAN:
MAN Wi-Fi refers to a Wi-Fi network that covers a metropolitan area. However, traditional Wi-Fi technology is not designed for such large-scale deployments. Specialized infrastructure, like mesh networks, is required for extending Wi-Fi coverage. Creating city-wide Wi-Fi networks faces challenges related to infrastructure, scalability, security, and regulatory issues. Nevertheless, advancements in technology and infrastructure continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of Wi-Fi coverage.
WAN:
WAN Wi-Fi refers to extending Wi-Fi connectivity over a Wide Area Network (WAN). This involves connecting multiple Wi-Fi networks across different locations to create a unified wireless network. It can be achieved through technologies such as point-to-point Wi-Fi links, wireless mesh networks, virtual private networks, and carrier-grade Wi-Fi services. WAN Wi-Fi enables organizations to provide wireless connectivity to users across multiple sites, improve collaboration, and streamline network management.
These are a few of the primary advantages and disadvantages of Wi-Fi:
Advantages:
- Wireless Connectivity: Wireless connectivity, or Wi-Fi, dispenses with the need for physical cables when connecting devices to a network. Because of this flexibility, users can connect to the local network or the internet from anywhere in the Wi-Fi coverage area, allowing for convenience and mobility.
- Installation ease: Compared to wired networks, setting up a Wi-Fi network is comparatively easy. There is no need for complicated cabling installations when connecting devices to the network.
- Scalability: Wi-Fi networks are easily expandable to add more access points (routers) to increase coverage or accommodate more devices.
- Cost-effective: Compared to wired networks, Wi-Fi can often be a more affordable option in many situations, particularly in settings where running cables can be costly or difficult.
- Convenience: Wi-Fi improves convenience and productivity by enabling smooth connectivity for a variety of devices, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and smart home appliances.
Disadvantages:
- Interference: Physical barriers, adjacent Wi-Fi networks, and other electronic devices can all cause interference with Wi-Fi signals. The performance of the network and signal quality may both be lowered by this interference.
- Security Issues: Unauthorized access, data interception, and malware attacks are just a few of the security risks that Wi-Fi networks are susceptible to. Sensitive data transferred over Wi-Fi is susceptible to compromise in the absence of appropriate security measures, such as encryption and strong passwords.
- Restricted Range: Wi-Fi signals have a limited range, particularly in areas where there are obstructions like walls and furniture. In locations remote from the access point, users might experience dead zones or diminished signal strength.
- Limitations on Bandwidth: Wi-Fi networks usually allow connected devices to share a certain amount of bandwidth. This shared bandwidth may cause individual device performance to suffer in crowded settings with lots of users or bandwidth-demanding apps.
- Reliability: Signal interference, network congestion, hardware failures, and other issues can cause periodic disruptions or dropouts in Wi-Fi connections. Users may experience erratic performance and problems with connectivity as a result.
Latest Technology Wi-Fi 7:
The Wi-Fi Alliance’s Wi-Fi Certified 7 program marked the official launch of Wi-Fi 7, though it will take years for a sizable portion of the population to adjust. This was announced on January 8, 2024. The Wi-Fi Alliance projects that 233 million devices will hit the market in 2024 and reach 2.1 billion by 2028. Significant performances of Wi-Fi 7 are:
- Bandwidths of 320MHz Channels: Wi-Fi 7 has wider channel and capacity gains from 6GHz spectrum, delivering peak rates of over 40 Gbps, which is a 4X increase over Wi-Fi 6E.
- Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Wi-Fi 7 has introduced numerous multi-link options that can significantly enhance throughput and decrease latency. The most powerful multi-link alternative is High-Band Simultaneous Multi-Link, which uses two Wi-Fi radios working together in the high bands (5 or 6 GHz). By creating a single aggregated data pipe, it delivers optimal performance, even in congested areas.
- Progress in Modulation to 4K QAM: In contrast to Wi-Fi systems that use 1K QAM modulation, Wi-Fi 7 is standardizing 4K QAM, an advanced modulation scheme that can boost peak rates to increase throughput and capacity.
- Utilizing Flexible Channels: This technological breakthrough relies on preamble puncturing to steer clear of interference-causing channels, allowing for the use of wider channels even when interference is present.
In general, Wi-Fi technology has completely changed the way we interact and communicate. It has made wireless internet access possible and has become widely used, making it a necessary component of contemporary computing and communication.
