Institute of Engineering and

Technology
Engineering-A
Roll no. 17C6

ASSINGMENT-01

Q1. Difference between wireless and wired networks? Explain their advantages, disadvantages and
limitations.

ANS.

Wired Network Wireless Network

1)The IEEE standard for Ethernet LAN is IEEE 802.3. 1)The IEEE standard for WLAN is IEEE
802.11.
2)Ethernet LANs uses electric signals to transmit data. 2) WLANs uses high energy radio waves to
transmit data.
3)Electric signals flow over cables; hence a wired 3)Radio waves travel through space; hence
connection is required between devices that are connected a physical connection is not required
to Ethernet LANs. between devices that are connected to
WLANs.
3)Ethernet supports Full-duplex (FDX) mechanism for 4)WLAN uses half-duplex (HDX)
communication. mechanism for communication.
4)LAN uses CSMA/CD to detect collisions in the network. 5)WLAN uses CSMA/CA to avoid collisions
in the network.
5)Low noise signal 6)High noise signal
6)Wired LAN offers better performance as compared to 7)Maximum bandwidth provided by the
wireless networks. The wired network can offer 1000Mbps wireless network is about 11Mbps.
bandwidth using Fast Ethernet technology. But, traditional However, 802.11 a and 802.11 g provides
Ethernet provides speeds up to 100Mbps. speed up to 54Mbps.
Wired Network:

Advantages:
1) Reliability and stability: Once the hubs, switches and Ethernet cables are installed, the end result is a
workhorse system that is extremely reliable. Another reason wired networks are reliable is because the
signal is not influenced by other connections. For example, if you have wireless networks that are close
to one another, one signal could interfere with another which can compromise stability.
2)Speed: Wired networks are generally much faster than wireless networks. Data speeds have
continually improved with the inception of Gigabit routers and other new technologies. A wired network
is also faster since it never is weighed down by unexpected or unnecessary traffic. Any unauthorised user
is unable to connect to the network unless their device is connected using an Ethernet cable.
Disadvantages:
1) Mobility:The biggest disadvantage of wired technology is that it lacks the mobility that wireless
technology provides You are physically limited to the reach of the cable, whereas wireless technology
allows users to move great distances freely and without hassle. Moving equipment that is even within
the range of the cable may be difficult if you choose to mount the cables rather than have them
dangling.
2)Damage: Another physical constraint of wired technology is that wires can be easily damaged, which
is not as large of a concern with wireless technology. Exposed cables are susceptible to everyday abuse
from things such as cleaning. Wires that are exposed and not properly laid may also pose a tripping
risk, not only damaging the cable but also potentially sending someone to the emergency room.
Damaged wires may have to be completely replaced.

->Limitations: The biggest limitation of establishing wired connection is the extensive cabling
requires establishing network. There are many types of cables and wires which are used spread the
network of wires. Most commonly used cables are twisted pair cable, fiber optics and copper cables.

Wireless Networks:
Advantages:
1) Increased efficiency
Improved data communications lead to faster transfer of information within businesses and between partners
and customers. For example, salespeople can remotely check stock levels and prices while on sales calls.
2)Access and availability
Because wireless technology allows the user to communicate while on the move, you are rarely out of touch -
you don't need extra cables or adaptors to access office networks.
3)Flexibility
Office-based wireless workers can network without sitting at dedicated computers and can continue to do
productive work while away from the office.
4)Cost savings
Wireless networks can be easier and cheaper to install, especially in listed buildings or where the landlord will
not permit the installation of cables.
Disadvantages:
1)Security:
Wireless transmission is more exposed to attack by unauthorised users, so you must pay particular attention
to security.
2)Installation problems:
You may experience interference if others in the same building also use wireless technology, or where other
sources of electromagnetic (radio) interference exist. This could lead to poor communication or, in extreme
cases, complete loss of wireless communication.
3)Coverage
In some buildings, getting consistent coverage can be difficult, leading to 'black spots' where the signal isn't
available. For example, in structures built using steel reinforcing materials, you may find it difficult to pick up
the radio frequencies used.
4)Transmission speeds
Wireless transmission can be slower and less efficient than 'wired' networks. In larger wireless networks, the
'backbone' network is usually wired or fiber rather than wireless.
Limitations: The biggest limitation of wireless communication is it’s range of transmission which is lower than
that of wired transmission.

Q2.What do you mean by spread spectrum? Explain it’s advantages.

Ans. As the name implies, spread spectrum techniques involve spreading the bandwidth needed to
transmit data – which does not make sense at first sight. Spreading the bandwidth has several
advantages. The main advantage is the resistance to narrowband interference.
Spread Spectrum : Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
• The logic behind the use of Frequency hopping Spread spectrum is, in order to utilize bandwidth
properly, we need to divide the whole available bandwidth into many channels and spread them
between channels which are arranged in a continuous manner.
• The selection of frequency slots is done on random basis and based on their occupancy,
frequency signals are transmitted.
• The transmitters and receivers keeps on hopping on channels available for a particular amount
of time in milliseconds.
• Hence, frequency division multiplexing and time division multiplexing are implemented
simultaneously in FHSS.
• FHSS can be classified as :

Frequency Hopping Spectrum

• Slow hopping : In slow hopping, multiple bits are transmitted on a particular or same frequency.
• Fast Hopping : In fast hopping, individual bits are split and are transmitted on different
frequencies.

Advantages of FHSS
• Secure.
• Simple implementation as compared to DsSS.
• High efficiency.

Spread Spectrum : Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum(DSSS)

• Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum is another type of spread spectrum in which data that needs
to be transmitted is split into smaller blocks.
• Then, each data block is attached with a high data rate bit sequence and is transmitted from
sender end to receiver end.
• At the receiver’s end with the help of data rate bit sequence, data blocks are recombined again
to generate the original data which was sent by the sender.
• If in case the data is lost, with the help of those data rate bits data blocks can be recovered.
• This split of data into smaller blocks is done to reduce noise and unintentional inference.

Direct Sequence Spectrum

Advantages of DSSS
• Signals are difficult to detect.
• Less chances of jamming.
• Less reluctant to noise.

Q3.What is multiplexing? Explain various types of multiplexing of wireless network.

Ans. Multiplexing is the process of combining multiple signals into one signal, over a shared medium. If
the analog signals are multiplexed, then it is called as analog multiplexing. Similarly, if the digital signals
are multiplexed, then it is called as digital multiplexing.

Multiplexing was first developed in telephony. A number of signals were combined to send through a
single cable. The process of multiplexing divides a communication channel into several number of
logical channels, allotting each one for a different message signal or a data stream to be transferred.
The device that does multiplexing can be called as Multiplexer or MUX.

The reverse process, i.e., extracting the number of channels from one, which is done at the receiver is
called as de-multiplexing. The device that does de-multiplexing can be called as de-
multiplexer or DEMUX.

The following figures illustrates the concept of MUX and DEMUX. Their primary use is in the field of
communications.

Types of Multiplexers

There are mainly two types of multiplexers, namely analog and digital. They are further divided into
Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), and Time Division
Multiplexing (TDM). The following figure gives a detailed idea about this classification.

There are many types of multiplexing techniques. Out of which, we have the main types with general
classification, mentioned in the above figure. Let us take a look at them individually.

Analog Multiplexing:

The signals used in analog multiplexing techniques are analog in nature. The analog signals are
multiplexed according to their frequency (FDM) or wavelength (WDM).

Frequency Division Multiplexing:

In analog multiplexing, the most used technique is Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM). This
technique uses various frequencies to combine streams of data, for sending them on a communication
medium, as a single signal.

Example − A traditional television transmitter, which sends a number of channels through a single
cable uses FDM.

Wavelength Division Multiplexing:

Wavelength Division multiplexing (WDM) is an analog technique, in which many data streams of
different wavelengths are transmitted in the light spectrum. If the wavelength increases, the frequency
of the signal decreases. A prism, which can turn different wavelengths into a single line, can be used at
the output of MUX and input of DEMUX.

Example − Optical fiber communications use WDM technique, to merge different wavelengths into a
single light for communication.

Digital Multiplexing:
The term digital represents the discrete bits of information. Hence, the available data is in the form of
frames or packets, which are discrete.

Time Division Multiplexing:

In Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), the time frame is divided into slots. This technique is used to
transmit a signal over a single communication channel, by allotting one slot for each message.

Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) can be classified into Synchronous TDM and Asynchronous TDM.

Synchronous TDM:
In Synchronous TDM, the input is connected to a frame. If there are ‘n’ number of connections, then
the frame is divided into ‘n’ time slots. One slot is allocated for each input line.

In this technique, the sampling rate is common for all signals and hence the same clock input is given.
The MUX allocates the same slot to each device at all times.

Asynchronous TDM:
In Asynchronous TDM, the sampling rate is different for each of the signals and a common clock is not
required. If the allotted device for a time slot transmits nothing and sits idle, then that slot can
be allotted to another device, unlike synchronous

This type of TDM is used in Asynchronous transfer mode networks.

De-Multiplexer:

De-multiplexers are used to connect a single source to multiple destinations. This process is the reverse
process of multiplexing. As mentioned previously, it is used mostly at the receivers. DEMUX has many
applications. It is used in receivers in the communication systems. It is used in arithmetic and logical
unit in computers to supply power and to pass on communication, etc.

De-multiplexers are used as serial to parallel converters. The serial data is given as input to DEMUX at
regular interval and a counter is attached to it to control the output of the de-multiplexer.

Both the multiplexers and de-multiplexers play an important role in communication systems, both at
the transmitter and the receiver sections.

Q4.What is multipath propagation? How does it affect communication? Explain.

Ans.In radio communication, multipath is the propagation phenomenon that results

in radio signals reaching the receiving antenna by two or more paths. Causes of multipath
include atmospheric ducting, ionospheric reflection and refraction, and reflection from water bodies
and terrestrial objects such as mountains and buildings.

Multipath propagation causes multipath interference, including constructive and

destructive interference, and phase shifting of the signal; destructive interference causes fading. This
may cause a radio signal to become too weak in certain areas to be received adequately, so multipath
propagation can be detrimental in radio communication systems. Where the magnitudes of the signals
arriving by the various paths have a distribution known as the Rayleigh distribution, this is known
as Rayleigh fading. Where one component (often, but not necessarily, a line of sight component)
dominates, a Rician distribution provides a more accurate model, and this is known as Rician fading.
The effects of multipath include constructive and destructive interference, and phase shifting of the
signal. Destructive interference causes fading. Where the magnitudes of the signals arriving by the
various paths have a distribution known as the Rayleigh distribution, this is known as Rayleigh fading.
Where one component (often, but not necessarily, a line of sight component) dominates, a Rician
distribution provides a more accurate model, and this is known as Rician fading.

Q5.Explain Channel fading.

ANS. The time variation of received signal power due to changes in transmission medium or paths is
known as fading. Fading depends on various factors as mentioned above. In fixed scenario, fading
depends on atmospheric conditions such as rainfall, lightening etc. In mobile scenario, fading depends
on obstacles over the path which are varying with respect to time. These obstacles create complex
transmission effects to the transmitted signal.
Fading types