A Wireless communication (wireless) is a type of connection that encompasses several technologies that do not use cables, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G LTE, 5G, satellite, infrared, NFC and RFID.
The first type of wireless connection in history was the photophone, a type of telephone that worked by transmitting voice through beams of light.
The photophone was invented by Graham Bell, father of the telephone, together with his assistant Charles Sumner Tainter in 1980. In that same decade, the first morse code system via radio waves was invented by Guglielmo Marconi.
The main advantages of wireless connections include mobility, implementation cost and ease of installation. However, there are limitations related to transmission speeds, signal strength and implementation cost.
Next, learn more about different types of wireless networks and their applications.
What is a wireless network for?
- Communication: wireless networks allow voice and/or video communication through mobile networks and radio communications.
- Entertainment and information: through AM and FM radio, open TV or satellite TV;
- Internet access: It is possible to have access to the internet thanks to Wi-Fi routers, internet via radio, internet via satellite or mobile networks.
- Data transmission: Wireless networks can be used for communication with sensors, remote control, security, file transfer and other applications that involve data exchange.
How does a wireless connection work?
Wireless connections use electromagnetic waves to enable communication between electronic devices.
Each type of wireless connection (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, infrared, among others) works with a communication protocol distinct, which ensures that transmitting and receiving devices can understand each other to establish a wireless network.
In the case of Bluetooth, for example, each version (Bluetooth 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, Bluetooth 5) has a set of defined standards, with specific technologies, that enable data transmission with a certain speed, efficiency and security method. .
Wireless communication technologies work through a frequency channel (or channels) specific. Such channels function as roads, which allow data traffic.
There are wireless communication technologies that operate in the same frequency range, which can generate interference depending on the configuration and proximity of the devices.
For example, classic Bluetooth operates in the 2,4 GHz band, which can also be used by Wi-Fi routers.
What are the types of wireless communication?
Wireless communications are divided into categories with distinct data transmission characteristics. The main ones are:
1. Radio communication
A radio comunication allows wireless communication using electromagnetic waves, which can be classified as high-frequency short waves or low-frequency long waves. The radio system has two basic components: the transmitter and the receiver.
The first wireless communication via radio occurred in 1895, when Guglielmo Marconi carried out the first wireless transmission of Morse code over a distance of one kilometer.
As technology has evolved, wireless standards have improved. Radio waves are currently used by technologies such as Wi-Fi, RFID, NFC and mobile phone technologies such as 4G LTE and 5G.
2. Wifi
Wi-Fi is a wireless networking standard compatible with smartphones, tablets, notebooks, TVs, air conditioners, among other electronic devices. The technology is maintained by the Wi-Fi Alliance and allows devices to connect to a home, corporate network or even broadband internet.
The strength of the Wi-Fi signal depends on the equipment used, but the typical range of a hotspot is less than 150 meters.
3. Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology and is available in cell phones, tablets, speakers, smartwatches, cars, among other devices.
Because it has low transmission speeds compared to other technologies, Bluetooth is generally used for audio transmission, connecting accessories and sharing small files.
4. Infrared
Infrared is a technology based on electromagnetic radiation with very low transmission rates compared to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The standard is widely used in remote control of TVs, air conditioning, stereos, etc.
In the 1990s and 2000s, it was common to use IrDA technology, based on infrared, to transmit files between cell phones, PDAs and notebooks.
It is currently possible to use an infrared adapter for remote control on smartphones and voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
5.RFID
RFID allows data transmission via radio frequency, just like NFC. The difference between the technologies is in the range, which is greater for RFID, and in the frequency of operation.
That said, RFID has different applications, being widely used in tracking and identifying objects in commercial establishments and warehouses.
6.NFC
NFC (Near Field Communication) is a wireless communication standard for connecting nearby devices.
The main application of NFC is contactless payment. The technology is available on smartphones, smartwatches and card machines, facilitating financial transactions in a safe and practical way.
7. Mobile phone networks
Mobile phone networks allow smartphones and other mobile devices to communicate using radio waves, making phone calls, text messages and accessing the internet.
In mobile telephony, geographic areas are divided into “cells”. Each cell has a radio base station (ERB), made up of antennas and other equipment for transmitting and receiving signals, which allow communication between mobile devices and the telephone operator.
The evolution of different generations of mobile networks, such as 3G, 4G and 5G, has brought innovations in the use of mobile networks, allowing high-speed internet connection and improvements in latency, coverage and stability.
8. Satellite
Satellite communication works through parabolic antennas, which use radio frequencies to exchange data with artificial satellites positioned more than 500 kilometers away from the earth.
There are several uses for satellite, including pay TV and internet connection. The main advantage of the satellite is its geographic reach: depending on the equipment, just one satellite is capable of covering the entire area of a continent. However, the satellite has limitations in bandwidth, latency and high operating cost.
A wireless network is a type of infrastructure that allows communication between two or more devices without using cables. This type of network can be used to transfer data, images, video or sound.
Any type of communication technology that does not have cables can be considered a wireless network, such as open TV, Wi-Fi, FM radio, Bluetooth, etc.
