How Do Wireless Networks Work?
Keywords: data acquisition, data recovery, data
Wireless networks work using radio waves instead of wires to transmit data between computers. That’s the simple version. If you’re curious to know what’s going on in more detail, then it’s all explained in this article.
Ones and Zeros.
I’m sure you know that computers transmit data digitally, using binary: ones and zeros. This is a way of communicating that translates very well to radio waves, since the computer can transmit ones and zeros as different kinds of beep. These beeps are so fast that they’re outside a human’s hearing range — radio waves that you can’t hear are, in fact, all around you all the time. That doesn’t stop a computer from using them, though.
Morse Code.
The way it works is a lot like Morse code. You probably already know that Morse code is a way of representing the alphabet so that it can be transmitted over radio using a dot (short beep) and a dash (long dash). It was used manually for years, and became a great way of getting information from one place to another with the invention of the telegraph. More importantly for this example, though, it is a binary system, just like a computer’s ones and zeros.
You might think of wireless networking, then, as being like Morse code for computers. You plug a combined radio receiver and transmitter in, and the computer is able to send out its equivalent of dots and dashes (bits, in computer-speak) to get your data from one place to another.
All About Frequencies.
You might wonder, though, how the computer could possibly transmit enough bits to send and receive data at the speed it does. After all, there must be a limit on how much can be sent in a second before it just becomes useless nonsense, right? Well, yes, but the key to wireless networking is that it gets around this problem.
First of all, wireless transmissions are sent at very high frequencies, meaning that more data can be sent per second. Most wireless connections use a frequency of 2.4 gigahertz (2.4 billion cycles per second) — a similar frequency to mobile phones and microwave ovens. As you might know, though, a frequency this high means that the wavelength must be very short, which is why wireless networking only works over a limited area.
In addition, wireless networks make use of a technique known as ‘frequency hopping’. They use dozens of frequencies in the range they are given, and constantly switch between them. This makes wireless networks more immune to interference from other radio signals than they would be if they only transmitted on one frequency.
Access Points.
The final step is when it comes to all the computers on a network sharing Internet access. This is done using a special piece of wireless equipment called an access point. Access points are more expensive than wireless cards for one computer, as they contain radios that are capable of talking to around 100 computers at the same time, and sharing out access to the Internet between them. Dedicated access points are only really essential for larger networks, though — if you only have a few computers, it is possible to use one of them as the access point, or you could just get a wireless router.
They Understand Each Other.
That’s all well and good, then, but how does wireless equipment made by entirely different companies manage to work together when this is all so complicated? Well, the answer is that there are standards that all wireless devices follow. These standards are technically called the 802.11 standards, and are set by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). It is thanks to people sticking to their standards that wireless networking is so easy and cheap to use today.
You Don’t Need to Worry.
If all this talk of frequencies has you a little worried, you don’t need to be — wireless networking hardware and software handles all of this automatically, without you needing to do a thing. Don’t think that you’re going to have to tell one wireless device what frequency another is using, because it’s just not going to happen, alright? Wireless networking, for all its complicated workings, is really far more simple to use than you’d ever expect.
Data Acquisition Technologies runs an informative Data site that looks into all aspects of Data from Recovery to Acquiring.
To find out more visit www.dataacquisitiontechnologies.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
10 Reasons To Adopt Data Visualization (1)
Executive Dashboard Though information can be compiled into state of the art data visualization, the information still needs to be managed somehow. Data visualization would be incomplete without an executive dashboard with which executives can customize and manage all data visualization displays and reports.
Computer Components For Idiots (2)
Everything attaches to the mobo -- the CPU, memory, hard drive, monitor, mouse, keyboard, add-on cards, even additional peripherals like printers, scanners, and speakers. The motherboard is like the nervous system and skeleton of the human body -- it provides support for the internal components and also passes information between the computer parts.
Finding The Perfect Anti-spyware Software (3)
The spyware writers won't give you a break if you do. Data Acquisitions System runs an informative Data site that looks into all aspects of Data from Recovery to Acquiring.
What Software Do You Need For Your Small Business (4)
That is just one of the many features that the high end Microsoft Business Solutions Small Business Financials North America Edition offers. Also included in this program is the capability of keeping record of financial management, sales, purchasing, inventory, payroll, and reporting.
Pet Food Storage (5)
I am sure the dogs do not mind that it does not have paw prints on it. Dog Breeding Fact is an informative resources site about Dogs. Find out how Dog Breeding Fact can expand your horizons at www.dogbreedingfact.com
Domain Registration: Why You Need Private Whois Service (6)
The purpose for which the WhoIs system is accessed includes: 1. To find out whether a specific domain name is unregistered and currently available 2. To identify the person or organization responsible for a domain registration or website on the Internet 3.
Email Recovery-Good Software Can Fix Your Lost Mail Trouble (7)
The key features of good DBX files recovery software are: Providing Mail Recovery from Outlook Express dbx files. Providing deleted email recovery of dbx files from corrupt media, such as floppy disks, Zip disks, CD ROMs, etc.
Does Your PC Have Worms? (8)
Worms are tricky, so anything less than a full-system scan might let them escape. Worse, with new worms coming out all the time, some antivirus and anti-spyware packages may not even know about a new worm until after its wreaking havoc on your machine.
German Wirehaired Pointer (9)
The dog immediately stood up from its sitting position and barked. The owner quieted the dog and had her sit. He explained that he had brought her to the field trial for socialization training.
Restaurant Promotion Story (10)
She thought to hang a levelor on the large south-facing window so that it would deflect the summer heat, but he did the hanging. He's willing to credit her for Bistro-style curtains that impart a softer look to the open dining room.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Dedicated Domain Hosting With Windows And Linux Hosting Plans (1)
The support can be chosen on based on your requirements. The dedicated secure servers are based on the redundant, multi-homed, dedicated networks which are connected to web through the multiple connections which ensures that data reaches the end-user in the fastest and the most efficient manner.
Data Recovery For Less (2)
Communication for the location to the financial institution to deliver a message of the amount of funds required, in this case, is what data will be transferred. Vahome Data runs an informative Data site that looks into all aspects of Data from Recovery to Acquiring.
Gardening-An Expression (3)
Someone said this combination looks like a candy cane. My garden is overcome by burst of yellows and orange, not really by choice. Somehow, it gives out a golden glow as the blooms bask in the sun.
Using A Credit Card To Shop Online (4)
Credit cards have many more security features than debit cards, including buyer protection. If possible, always use a credit card when shopping online. Keep records Whenever you purchase anything online, you will likely be sent an email with the details of your purchase on.
When To Use Balloon Loans (5)
Balloon loans are basically loans that are agreed for one term, but are calculated over another term. For example, you might take out a five-year balloon loan, but it is calculated over 15 years.
Avoiding Loan Delinquency (6)
Make sure that you will be able to afford the monthly repayments even if you are having a tough month financially. If possible, have savings in place to cope with emergencies so that you never slip into delinquency.
An Introduction To Backpacking (7)
They explore and they love the wilderness, and have the common goal of a getting a good backpacking experience which can provide memories that last a lifetime. Brian McGregor is a backpacking enthusiast and author.
Handling Unexpected Problems On The Backpacking Trail (8)
Food thieves In the wilderness there are many thieves waiting to steal your food. Packing it in containers will only keep the smallest critters away. Make sure they are not only closed, but securely tied up too.
Computer Recycling: What You Need To Know (9)
Due to vast amount of computer waste, computers could become more expensive, due to European laws may force makers to recycle old machines and computer hardware in order to help the environment.
Becoming A Certified Master Coach (10)
Course Objectives .. An in-depth assessment of the various tests and the coachees relation and development with the help of the coach, during the term of the course. ..