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Four Wireless Communication Media in Networking

The document describes four types of wireless communication media used in computer networking: Cellular networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Satellite communication. Each type is detailed with its advantages and disadvantages, highlighting aspects such as coverage, speed, security, and cost. The information is intended for a diploma assignment in Information Communication Technology.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
137 views9 pages

Four Wireless Communication Media in Networking

The document describes four types of wireless communication media used in computer networking: Cellular networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Satellite communication. Each type is detailed with its advantages and disadvantages, highlighting aspects such as coverage, speed, security, and cost. The information is intended for a diploma assignment in Information Communication Technology.

Uploaded by

vany tag
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

FACULTY: BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

DEPARTMENT: BUSINESS STUDIES

PROGRAM: DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

INSTRUCTOR NAME:

NAME OF STUDENT: MWALYAJE FRANK S.

REGISTRATION NUMBER: NS0751/0136/2017

TYPE OF ASSIGNMENT: INDIVIDUAL

SUBMISSION DATE: 21/12/2O20

QUESTION:

Describe the four wireless communication (transmission) media as applied in computer


networking
A computer network is a logical or physical interconnection between two or more computers
such they could communicate with each other. The process of transferring data between
computers is known as data communication. The data and information can be transmitted over
significant distance through computer network. The communication of data and information over
significant distance is known as telecommunication. The following are the media wireless
communication applied in computer networking.

A Cellular network or Mobile network is a radio network distributed over land areas called
cells, each served by at least one fixed-location transceiver, known as a cell site or base station.
In a cellular network, each cell uses a different set of frequencies from neighboring cells, to
avoid interference and provide guaranteed bandwidth within each cell.

more explanation about Cellular Networks

● When joined together these cells provide radio coverage over a wide geographic area.

● This enables a large number of portable transceivers (e.g., mobile phones, pagers, etc.) to
communicate with each other and with fixed transceivers and telephones anywhere in the
network, via base stations.

Advantages of Cellular networks:

● It is flexible enough to use the features and functions of almost all public and private networks.

● It has increased capacity.

● It consumes less power.

● It can be distributed to larger coverage area.

● It reduces interference from other signals.

Disadvantages of Cellular networks:

 It offers less data rate compare to wired networks such as fiber optics, DSL etc.
 Macro cells are affected by multipath signal loss.
 The capacity is lower and depends on channels/multiple access techniques employed to
serve subscribers.
 As the communication is over the air, it has security vulnerabilities.
 It requires higher cost in order to setup cellular network infrastructure.
 The wireless communication is influenced by physical obstructions, climatic conditions
and interference from other wireless devices.
 The installation of antennas for cellular network require space and foundation tower. This
is very cumbersome and requires both time and effort.

WI-IFI, is a wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-
speed Internet access. A common misconception is that the term Wi-Fi is short for “wireless
fidelity,” however Wi-Fi is a trademarked phrase that refers to IEEE 802.11x standards.

Wi-Fi originated in Hawaii in 1971, where a wireless UHF packet network called ALOHA net
was used to connect the islands. Later protocols developed in 1991 by NCR and AT&T called
Wave LAN became the precursor to the IEEE 802.11 standards.

The Wi-Fi Alliance was formed in 1999 and currently owns the Wi-Fi registered trademark. It
specifically defines Wi-Fi as any “wireless local area network (WLAN) products that are based
on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) 802.11 standards.”

HOW DOES WI-FI WORK?

Wi-Fi networks have no physical wired connection between sender and receiver. Instead, they
function by using radio frequency (RF) technology a frequency within the electromagnetic
spectrum associated with radio wave propagation. When an RF current is supplied to an antenna,
an electromagnetic field is created that then is able to propagate through space.

The cornerstone of any wireless network is an access point (AP). The primary job of an access
point is to broadcast a wireless signal that computers can detect and use to establish a connection
to the network. In order to connect to an access point and join a wireless network, computers and
devices must be equipped with wireless network adapters.

Advantage of Wi-Fi

 Wi-Fi is wireless LAN, It is one of the important technologies of the computer


networking, It allows the users to connect to the internet technology without the wires, It
allows the router to be cordless also, The network is connected through an access point
for internet and it is connected to a USB Port
 Wi-Fi is used for different purposes such as data transmission and wireless
communication, With using a Wi-Fi connection whenever possible will most often result
in faster, more reliable internet access, and It is cheap.
 Expandability, Wireless networks can serve a suddenly-increased number of clients with
the existing equipment. In a wired network, additional clients would require additional
wiring
 Mobility, With the emergence of public wireless networks, users can access the internet
even outside their normal work environment. Most chain coffee shops, for example, offer
their customers a wireless connection to the internet at little or no cost

Disadvantage of Wi-Fi

 . Security, to combat this consideration, wireless networks may choose to utilize some of
the various encryption technologies available. Some of the more commonly utilized
encryption methods, however, are known to have weaknesses that a dedicated adversary
can compromise.
 Range, the typical range of a common 802.11g network with standard equipment is on
the order of tens of meters. While sufficient for a typical home, it will be insufficient in a
larger structure. To obtain additional range, repeaters or additional access points will
have to be purchased. Costs for these items can add up quickly.
 Reliability, like any radio frequency transmission, wireless networking signals are
subject to a wide variety of interference, as well as complex propagation effects that are
beyond the control of the network administrator.
 Speed, the speed on most wireless networks (typically 1-54 Mbps) is far slower than
even the slowest common wired networks (100Mbps up to several Gbps). However, in
specialized environments, the throughput of a wired network might be necessary.

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile
devices over short distances using UHF radio waves in the industrial, scientific and medical
radio bands, from 2.402 GHz to 2.480 GHz, and building personal area networks (PANs). Also It
is a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) technology and is used for exchanging data over
smaller distances. This technology was invented by Ericson in 1994. It operates in the
unlicensed, industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band at 2.4 GHz to 2.485 GHz. Maximum
devices that can be connected at the same time are 7. Bluetooth ranges up to 10 meters. It
provides data rates up to 1 Mbps or 3 Mbps depending upon the version.

Bluetooth is used for the following:

 Wireless control and communication between mobile and hands-free headsets


 Wireless networking between multiple computers in areas with limited service
 Wireless communication with PCs and peripheral input/output (I/O) devices
 Mobile phone communication with digital enhanced cordless telecommunication (DECT)
 Identify and track object positions with the real-time location system
 Track livestock and prisoner movement
 Personal mobile security applications

Advantage of Bluetooth

 There are many advantages of using Bluetooth wireless technology. The most important
is the fact that any two devices can be connected with each other without the use of any
cables or wires. Added to that, is that using Bluetooth devices is very safe and also
convenient.
 advantage of using Bluetooth wireless technology is the safety factor. While driving your
car it is extremely dangerous to use one hand to hold your cell phone and the other for
driving. It is even illegal to do this in some countries as phoning while driving is a major
cause of road accidents. You should always leave both your hands free while driving.
Now, thanks to Bluetooth technology you can use a Bluetooth headset to receive your
phone calls and to talk to the person on the other end of the "line". This way you can
drive safely with both hands on the steering wheel.
 Now you can get rid of the cables and wires that connect your computer to other devices.
Often you need to use cables to connect your computer with the keyboard, the mouse,
various cradles for electronic equipment such as PDAs, printers, etc. All these annoying
cords can be eliminated if you use Bluetooth enabled devices and you can have an
uncluttered and well maintained computer room with a minimum of wires lying on the
floor.

Disadvantage of Bluetooth

 Poor Security, virtually every network technology has some security built into it to
prevent hackers from accessing your data without your permission. However, Bluetooth
security is weak compared to Wi-Fi and other wireless data standards. A determined
attacker can, for example, gain access to your wireless device through a Bluetooth
connection, although he or she would have to be nearby for the attempt to work.
 Slow Data, all wireless technologies have limits on how fast they can transmit data;
generally, faster connections mean higher energy consumption. Because Bluetooth is
intended to be very energy-efficient, it sends data relatively slowly. The Bluetooth 4.0
Low Energy standard, at 26 megabits per second, is much faster than Bluetooth used to
offer and suitable for occasional syncing and small backup operations. However,
Bluetooth is not a substitute for faster technologies such as Wi-Fi and USB.
 Distance Limitations, Most Bluetooth devices, especially those that run on battery
power, are Class 2 Bluetooth devices. Class 2 devices have a range of about 10 meters, or
around 30 feet. The range limitations are meant to avoid the quick depletion of the
battery. While the Bluetooth signal will work through walls, the more objects that are in
between the devices, the less overall range the devices will have. Class 1 Bluetooth
devices have a range of about 100 meters, but the size and power consumption needed to
create a Class 1 signal means that small wireless devices could not use it and are confined
to the 10 meters of the Class 2 protocol.
SATELLITE

Satellite communication is a wireless technology having significant importance across the globe.

Satellite Communication System devices using satellite technology to communicate directly with
the orbiting satellite through radio signals, this allows users to stay connected virtually from
anywhere on the earth. Portable satellite phones and modems have powerful broadcast feature
and reception hardware than the cellular devices due to the increased range.

The satellite communication consists of a space segment and a ground segment. When the signal
is sent to the satellite through a device, the satellite amplifies the signal and sent it back to the
receiver antenna which is located on the earth’s surface. The ground segment consists of a
transmitter, receiver and the space segment, which is the satellite itself.

Advantages of satellite

 Through satellite transmission, coverage over geographical area is quite large mainly for
sparsely populated areas.
 High bandwidth.
 Wireless and mobile communication applications can be easily established by satellite
communication independent of location.
 It is used in wide variety of applications such as global mobile communication, private
business networks, Long distance telephone transmission, weather forecasting, radio/TV
signal broadcasting, gathering intelligence in military, navigation of ships and air crafts,
connecting remote areas, television distribution etc.
 Security in satellite transmission is usually provided by the coding and decoding
equipment.
 Service from one single provider is easy to obtain and uniform service is available.
 Over long distances, it can be cheaper.
 The laying and maintenance is easy and cheap in satellite communication therefore it is
best alternative.
 During critical condition, each Earth Station may be removed relatively quickly from a
location and reinstalled somewhere else.
 Ground station sites are easy to install and maintain.
Disadvantages of satellite

 Design, development, investment and insurance of satellite requires higher cost.


 To reach the satellite from Earth, time can vary between 270 milliseconds and return
again to 320 milliseconds. This propagation delay can cause an echo over telephone
connections
 Satellites are not easy to repair and maintain.
 Some circumstances like weather or sunspots affect the satellite’s signal and can cause
interference and make proper operation of the satellite very difficult.
 It requires to be monitored and controlled on regular periods so that it remains in the
orbit, once it has been launched.
REFERENCE
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Common questions

Powered by AI

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi differ significantly in data transfer capabilities. Bluetooth is designed for transferring data over short distances with data rates up to 3 Mbps, optimizing for energy efficiency and simplicity in connecting devices without cables . It is typically used in personal area networks for device pairing, such as between computers and peripherals . In contrast, Wi-Fi offers higher data rates, often ranging from 54 Mbps and upwards, depending on the standard version, making it suitable for wireless local area networks that require higher bandwidth for applications like internet access and media streaming . These differences result in Bluetooth being used for short-range, low-power applications, while Wi-Fi is preferred for broader coverage and higher data-demand scenarios .

Satellite communication significantly impacts global connectivity by enabling communication across vast geographical areas, including remote and sparsely populated regions . The advantages of satellite communication are its large coverage area, high bandwidth, independence from physical location, and variety of applications such as global mobile communication, long-distance telephone transmission, and television broadcasting . Additionally, it provides uniform service from a single provider and is cost-effective for long-distance communication . However, satellite communication also has disadvantages including high costs of design, development, and insurance, signal delays due to propagation time, difficulty in repair and maintenance, and susceptibility to interference from weather or solar activities .

Wi-Fi technology typically experiences range limitations with standard equipment having effective distances of several tens of meters, which can be insufficient for larger buildings. To overcome these limitations, repeaters or additional access points are deployed to extend coverage and enhance signal reach . Bluetooth, mainly Class 2 devices, has an even shorter range, around 10 meters, which poses constraints on its ability to connect devices over long distances . Expanding coverage for Bluetooth often involves upgrading to Class 1 devices, which have a 100-meter range, although this requires more power and larger devices . These technologies employ such strategies to cater to different connectivity needs—where Wi-Fi scales for area coverage and Bluetooth emphasizes personal range flexibility .

Bluetooth technology is recognized for having weaker security measures in comparison to Wi-Fi. Bluetooth networks rely on minimal encryption and pairing security, which can be vulnerable to nearby attackers aiming to intercept data . Conversely, Wi-Fi offers more robust security protocols, including WPA and WPA2, which encrypt communications to secure them against unauthorized access . However, despite these measures, both technologies present potential vulnerabilities: Bluetooth's primary issue is its ease of accessibility due to its short-range operation, while Wi-Fi's weakness is in the form of older encryption methods that can be cracked by determined adversaries . Each system requires vigilant security updates and vigilant management to reinforce their security frameworks. .

Bluetooth technology is designed for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances using UHF radio waves, operating within the ISM band from 2.402 GHz to 2.480 GHz . It is effective for creating personal area networks (PANs) and supports various applications, including wireless connections between computers, peripheral devices, and mobile phone communication . The strengths of Bluetooth include the elimination of cables, safety convenience while driving, and minimal power consumption. Its main weaknesses are poor security compared to Wi-Fi, slow data transfer rates, and limited range that constrains its utility to short distances .

A satellite communication system consists of two main segments: the space segment and the ground segment. The space segment includes the satellite itself, which acts as a repeater. This means it receives signals from the ground segment, amplifies them, and transmits them back to another or the same point on Earth . The ground segment involves transmitter and receiver stations that communicate directly with the satellite. These components work together by allowing data to be sent over long distances through space, bypassing Earth's obstacles and rendering vast geographical areas reachable without the need for extensive terrestrial infrastructure . Satellites operate as intermediaries, ensuring continuous data flow irrespective of terrestrial network limitations .

Wi-Fi technology enables wireless connectivity by using radio frequency (RF) technology to transmit electromagnetic fields through space . The core component of a Wi-Fi network is an access point, which broadcasts a wireless signal that devices equipped with wireless network adapters can connect to. The advantages of Wi-Fi include the absence of wired connections, expandability, mobility for users to access the network from various locations, and low cost . However, Wi-Fi has limitations such as security vulnerabilities that can be mitigated by encryption technologies, limited range which requires repeaters for expansion, reliability issues due to interference, and slower speed compared to wired networks .

The IEEE 802.11 standard facilitates the functioning of Wi-Fi networks by providing a set of specifications for wireless local area network (WLAN) technology . It defines how data is transmitted over wireless networks using radio frequency waves. The Wi-Fi Alliance plays a crucial role by owning the Wi-Fi trademark and certifying products based on IEEE 802.11 standards to ensure interoperability and adherence to technical specifications . This certification process helps maintain compatibility across devices and encourages the adoption of standard-compliant products .

The introduction of satellite communication has significantly diversified the communication landscape by offering an alternative to traditional terrestrial networks, especially beneficial where infrastructure is impractical. Satellites present opportunities by allowing for global mobile coverage, long-distance data transmission, and ability to connect remote locations that terrestrial networks cannot efficiently reach . This is particularly valuable for international telecommunications, broadcasting, and areas with challenging geographical terrains . Nonetheless, satellite communication faces challenges including high setup costs, inherent signal delay, susceptibility to atmospheric disturbances, and complexities in maintenance and control . Traditional networks can offer faster data rates and lower latency, thus maintaining advantages in urban and well-established regions . The synergy between satellite communications and terrestrial networks has enriched global connectivity but demands deliberate considerations in planning and resource deployment .

A cellular network functions by distributing a radio network over land areas, which are divided into cells, each served by at least one fixed-location transceiver known as a cell site or base station . The arrangement prevents interference and guarantees bandwidth within each cell by using different frequency sets in neighboring cells. When cells are joined, they provide comprehensive radio coverage, enabling communication across a large number of portable transceivers such as mobile phones. The advantages of cellular networks include flexibility, increased capacity, reduced interference, and the ability to cover larger areas . However, they have disadvantages like lower data rates compared to wired networks, multipath signal loss, security vulnerabilities due to wireless transmission, higher setup costs, and susceptibility to physical obstructions and interference .

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