Assignment: Wireless Signals
A device that can use Wi-Fi (such as a personal computer, video-game console, smartphone, tablet, or digital audio player) can connect to a network resource such as the Internet via a wireless network access point. Such an access point (or hotspot) has a range of about 20 meters (65 feet) indoors and a greater range outdoors. Hotspot coverage can comprise an area as small as a single room with walls that block radio waves or as large as many square miles — this is achieved by using multiple overlapping access points. Cellular most often associated with wireless phones, a cellular network uses connected transmitters, or cells, that enable the user to move about while remaining in contact with the network. Cells transmit at low power levels so as not to interfere with each other and may be spaced far apart in rural areas or close together in cities. Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances (using short-wavelength radio transmissions in the ISM band from 2400–2480 MHz) from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks (PANs) with high levels of security. WiMAX while over-the-air data is fast becoming the realm of cellular providers, dedicated wireless broadband systems also exist, offering fast Web surfing without connecting to cable or DSL. One well-known example of wireless broadband is WiMAX, offered by providers such as Clear or Skyriver. Although WiMAX can potentially deliver data rates of more than 30 megabits per second, providers offer average data rates of 6 Mbps and often deliver less, making the service significantly slower than hard-wired broadband. The actual data rates available to someone using WiMAX can vary widely with their distance from the transmitter. WiMAX is also known as one version of 4G wireless and has been available in phones as Sprint's 4G technology. However, the company has been building out a network using LTE, the 4G technology used by AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. Wi-fi |