Wireless transmission requires electromagnetic waves for the transmission of information over a distance. These waves or frequencies is measured in Hertz (Hz). Wireless media is also knowwn as unguided media. Communication is done by spreading signals in the air and those signals are received by antennae, They can be classified as:
• Long distance wireless media
• Short distance wireless media
Long Distance Wireless Media
It can support communication over a longer distance of up to thousands of kilometres. It includes the following:
• Microwave
• Radiowave
• Satellite
Microwave is a technique that uses wireless transmission of data. Microwaves are widely used for short point-to- point communication links. For long-distance communication, high towers are built, as the higher the tower, greater the range. Sometimes microwave towers are installed at the top of the houses to facilitate long-distance communication in short time.
Radiowave is a communication system where data is transmitted using radio waves and energy travels through air rather than copper or glass. Radio waves are electromagnetic signals that are transmitted by broken into many bands including AM, FM, and VHF bands. Radio waves are omnidirectional, which means they can travel in all directions from the source.
In satellite communication, satellite links are used to do wireless communication from one place on earth to another. Satellites are controlled by the Government. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennae on the earth. The antennae then capture those signals and process the information coming from those signals.
Short Distance Wireless Media
It can support communication within a limited range of a few meters to a few miles or kilometres. Wireless networks have become common. Following are the types of short distance wireless communications:
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) also known as Wireless LAN (WLAN). Wi-Fi networks are extremely limited in range.
Bluetooth: Bluetooth forms Personal Area Network like connecting your mobile phone, laptops, digital cameras, etc.
Wi-Max: Wi-Max stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. Wi-Max covers bigger range and creates network in Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). Examples are cable TV, DSL Internet connection.
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