An Overview of Wi-Fi Wireless Communication Technology

Wi-Fi, short for Wireless Fidelity, also known as the 802.11b standard, is a technology that enables terminals such as personal computers and handheld devices (e.g., PDAs, mobile phones) to connect to each other wirelessly. Its greatest advantage is its relatively high transmission speed, reaching up to 11 Mbps. In addition, it offers a long effective range and is compatible with existing 802.11 DSSS devices. The most popular laptop technology this summer—Centrino—is based on this standard, making wireless Internet access a reality. The prominent advantages of Wi-Fi technology are as follows: First, its radio wave coverage is wide. Bluetooth-based technology has a very small coverage range, with a radius of only about 50 feet (approximately 15 meters), whereas Wi-Fi can reach a radius of about 300 feet (approximately 100 meters). Not to mention offices, it can even be used throughout an entire building.

First, its radio wave coverage is wide. Bluetooth-based technology has a very small coverage range, with a radius of only about 50 feet (approximately 15 meters), whereas Wi-Fi can reach a radius of about 300 feet (approximately 100 meters). Not to mention offices, it can even be used throughout an entire building. Recently, a new type of switch was launched by Vivato. It is reported that this product can extend the communication range of current Wi-Fi wireless networks from 300 feet (nearly 100 meters) to 4 miles (approximately 6.5 kilometers).

Second, although the wireless communication quality of Wi-Fi technology is not very good, its data security is somewhat inferior to Bluetooth, and transmission quality still needs improvement, its transmission speed is very fast, reaching 54 Mbps, which meets the needs of personal and social informatization.

Third, the barrier for manufacturers to enter this field is relatively low. Manufacturers only need to set up "hotspots" in densely populated areas such as airports, stations, coffee shops, and libraries, and connect the Internet to these places via high-speed lines. In this way, since the radio waves emitted by the "hotspots" can reach places ranging from tens of meters to 100 meters from the access point radius, users only need to bring a laptop or PDA supporting wireless LAN into the area to access the Internet at high speed. In other words, manufacturers do not need to spend money on network cabling for access, thus saving a large amount of cost.

Depending on the standard used by the wireless network card, the speed of Wi-Fi also varies. Among them, IEEE 802.11b has a maximum of 11 Mbps (some communications equipment manufacturers can reach 22 Mbps with matched equipment), IEEE 802.11a is 54 Mbps, and IEEE 802.11g is also 54 Mbps.

Since the Wi-Fi frequency band is a license-free band worldwide that does not require any telecommunications operating license, WLAN wireless devices provide a wireless air interface that can be used worldwide with extremely low cost and high data bandwidth. Users can quickly browse web pages within Wi-Fi coverage areas and make or receive calls anytime, anywhere. Other WLAN-based broadband data applications, such as streaming media and online gaming, are also worth looking forward to. With Wi-Fi functionality, we can make long-distance calls (including international calls), browse web pages, send and receive emails, download music, transfer digital photos, and more, without worrying about slow speeds and high costs.