Topic 1: Introduction to Wireless Communications

Satellite Network

away from major areas need to connect to satellites

ZigBee

- 802.15.4 - Low cost cable replacement technology - Close to 100M nodes in 2012 - Honeywell = HVAC systems - Zigbee used for low power consumption and rely on long, multi-year battery life

4G

System to allow Internet access using mobile phone networks.

RFID

radio frequency identification, similar to barcodes

wireless network card

Like a standard NIC, but without the use of wires, it has a transmitter/receiver for sending signals via radio waves

bluetooth

is a wireless technology that is part of standards designed to transmit data at typically very short ranges, from a few inches to 33 feet (10 meters).

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

phone calls transferred in digital packets over the Internet rather than on circuit-switched telephone wires

iBeacon

protocol introduced by apple, allows developers to create app and that listens for a signal and wakes up your phone

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A system that determines the precise position of something on Earth through a series of satellites, tracking stations, and receivers.

Challenges of Wireless Networking

Along with the many advantages of wireless technology, there are challenges and concerns, including radio signal interference, security issues, and possible health risks.

Advantages of wireless Networking

There are many advantages to using wireless technology compared to wired networks. These include mobility, easier and lower-cost installation, increased reliability, and more rapid disaster recovery.

wireless communication

is defined as the transmission of digital data while connected to some type of data network, without the use of wires.

cellular network

A network that can be used when a wireless network must cover a wide area. The network is made up of cells, each controlled by a base station. Also called a cellular WAN.

WiGig

An alliance of companies involved in developing a common wireless specification for connecting computers, communication, and entertainment devices over short ranges, using the 60 GHz band at multi-gigabit speeds.

Fixed broadband wireless

In areas where wired Internet connectivity may not be available and where the installation of cables may be difficult, the solution often is to deploy wireless links based on microwave data equipment or WiMAX. These technologies are commonly called fixed broadband wireless , because they were originally intended for communications between fixed points like buildings or towers, although the WiMAX specification and the related IEEE 802.16 standard include an amendment for mobile communications as well.

Wireless personal area networks (WPANs)

Interconnect devices within a relatively small area that is generally within a person's reach

Wireless Access Point (WAP)

The AP relays data signals between all the devices on the wired network, including file servers, printers, and even other access points and the wireless devices connected to the AP itself. The AP is fixed in one place, although it can be moved when necessary, whereas the devices that connect to an AP are usually portable and have the freedom to move around the office area or sometimes an entire business or school campus.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

WLANs operate based on networking standards established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) .

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

a computer network in a limited geographical area that uses wireless transmission for communication

NFC (Near Field Communication)

a protocol, based on RFID, that defines how a network uses close-range radio signals to communicate between two devices or objects equipped with NFC technology

Digital Convergence

the use of a single unifying device to handle media, Internet, entertainment, and telephony needs