Wi-Fi & Wireless Networks Terminology

Wi-Fi Terminology:

There are lots terminologies which are require to be known to get the better understanding of what wireless network technology is and how it works. Following are the terms which are involved in Wi-fi and wireless networks.

Gigahertz:

Gigahertz is frequency measurement and its unit is GHz. It represents frequencies in the billions of cycles per second range. Giga represents 1 billion and hearts is standard unit used for measuring different frequencies.

GHz is used with wireless communication as radio frequencies and computer performance. GHz refer to clock speed of central procession unit, (CPU). The higher the GHz , or CPU clock is the better the performance of the computer. The lowest clock GHz in Pentium 1 series is 133 which had reached up to 4 GHz along the time.

Whereas in radio communication GHz is refer as bands of electric spectrum. Different band different uses for example, 802.11b/g falls some where between 2.4GHz to 5.0GHz.Latest technologies like Bluetooth, cordless phones, Wi-Fi operates on S-bands, Satellite communication and global possible system (GPS) operates on L-bands. There are other popular bands like Ku, Ka which have different uses.

WiBro:

Wibro have nothing to do with Wi-Fi directly, but it can be called extended version of Wi-Fi, Its is known as Wireless broadband. It is developed in south korea and it is latest technology in mobile access of wireless broadband. Wi-Fi operates on 802.11 standards developled by IEEE, WiBro on the other hand operates on 802.16 just as WiMax do. WiBro is specially design for connectivity while on move, where as WiMax is not recommended on move connectivity.

Hotspot:

Hotspot is the place where wireless network is available for puplic use. Devices like laptops, handsets, Pdas, Note books etc are mostly installed with Wireless network cards which are designed to connect to Wi-Fi network in surrounding area. The place where wireless network is available to access is called hotspot. HotSpots are mostly available for free at Coffee shops, Public libraries, Public grounds, Universities, Airtports, Railway Stations etc.

WiFi Finder:

As name suggests, it portable device to find Wireless network available for public use in certain area. This devices helps to find hotspots so laptop battery do not get waste just for finding Wireless network around. Wi-Fi finder are mostly battery operated device which is about a mouse size. When WiFi find is turn on it stats searching wirless network around if wifi network found it turns on its LED which says network is around and ask if wants to connect to it. If no network is found LED remain turned off. WiFi finders operates on 802.11b/g bands. Different versions of WiFi finders are available in market depending upon the aditonal features, Expensive modules comes with built in antenna which enhance the range and connection apabilities. WiFi finder Modules can ranges from 150 feet to 300 feet depending how sophisticated and expensive the module is. Wi-Fi finders once scan the network can be connected to laptops through USB.

Access Point:

This is another important term which Wi-fi users mostly heard. Access point is almost like HotSpot. Its is also known as WAP, Wireless access point. WAP device connects wireless communication devices together to form a wireless network. WAP network are mostly connected to wired network and can provide interface between wireless devices with wired devices.