WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

ABSTRACT

The hottest technology in personal computing is wireless networking

, which allows users to share a high -speed Internet connection among multiple computers
without being tethered to wires or wall jacks .Known as Wi-Fi ,this wireless system is
commonly used to connect computers in various rooms of a home, but it is also popping up
in public places like airports , hotel lobbies and coffee shops.

The following points are broadly discussed in the paper::

1.Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11b or

802.11a to provide secure ,reliable ,fast wireless connectivity.

2.The emergence of Short Service Message (SMS) capability

combined with the advent of location technology and browser enabled mobile services offer
prospects for accelerated growth with in the mainstream consumer market.

3.Wireless application protocol(WAP) provides a set of data

protocols that are simultaneously optimized for the restrictive wireless network
environment and independent of the underlying type of wireless network.

4.First generation cellular networks used analog radio technologies.

5.Second generation networks use digital technologies and can

support both voice and data calls.

6.Third generation networks are packet – based networks that

support simultaneous voice and data traffic, including multimedia.

7.So called 2.5G (2 ½ generation) represent an intermediate step,

adding higher capacity to existing 2G (second generation) networks.

8. For the security of wireless networks Wired Equivalent privacy

(WEP), a basic encryption technology is provided.

9.Bluetooth technology and Wi-Fi technology have been compared.

10.The use of wireless connectivity in deeply embedded systems has

been discussed.

11.In the last section applications of wireless communication are

described broadly.
INTRODUCTION
The hottest technology in personal computing is wireless networking,
which allows users to share a high –speed Internet connection among multiple computers
without being tethered to wires or wall jacks. Known as WI-FI, this wireless system is
commonly used to connect computers in various rooms of a home, but it’s also popping up
in public houses like airports, hotel lobbies and coffee shops.

The Mobile Internet relies on a new set of standards, known as the

Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). The existing technology will provide efficient
access to information and services from a wide range of mobile devices. In particular, WAP
extends the Internet by addressing the unique requirements of the wireless network
environment and the unique characteristics of the small handheld devices.

WIRELESS FIDELITY (Wi-Fi)

Imagine connecting to our office network from an airport or coffee
shop. or retrieving files or presentations from the corporate network, cruising the Internet
,or sending instant messages to co-workers while sitting in a conference room or the
company’s cafeteria .And that too easily and quickly ,without worrying about finding a
wired network connection .That is Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless fidelity ,is freedom: it allows you to connect to

the Internet from your couch at home, a bed in a hotel room ,or a conference room at work
without wires. It is a wireless technology like CELL PHONES .Wi-Fi enabled computers
send and receive data indoors and outdoors anywhere within in the range of a base station .
And the best thing of all ,Wi-Fi is FAST. In fact ,it’s several times faster than the fastest
cable modem connection.

However , we only have true freedom to be connected anywhere if

our computer is configured with a Wi-Fi certifies radio(a PC card or similar device).Wi-Fi
certification means that we will be able to connect anywhere with other Wi-Fi certified
products ,in areas equipped with Wi-Fi access.

PRINCIPLE INVOLVED IN WI-FI

Wi-Fi networks use RADIO TECHNOLOGIES called

IEEE 802.11b Or 802.11a to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity.
FEATURES OF WI-FI
1. A wi-fi network can be used to connect computers to each
other, to the Internet ,and to wired networks which use IEEE 802.3 or EHERNET.
2. Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5GHz
radio bands, with 11 Mbps (for 802.11b) and 54 Mbps (for
802.11a) data rates, respectively.
3. 820.11 is a set of specifications developed by the IEEE for
wireless LANS . It provides 1 or 2 Mbps transmisson at 2.4
GHz.
4. 802.11b is an update to the 802.11 standard that gives data rates
of upto 11 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz ISM band.
5. The maximum speed of 11 Mbps can fall back to 5.5 Mbps ,2
Mbps ,and 1 Mbps depending on the signal strength and quality.
6. 802.11a is the second revision of 802.11 that operates at 5GHz
and allows transmission rates of upto 54Mbps.
7. The high data rate is achieved by combining channels , but due
to the higher transmission frequency the range is less than the
half lower frequency systems (802.11b).
8. 802.11a is not compatible with 802.11b , and uses require
network adoptors that conform to both standards to work in
multi mode environments.

TYPES OF WIRELESS NETWORK CARDS

There are 3 types of wireless network cards. They are

1.PCMCIA CARD
2.COMPACTFLASH CARD
3.PCI CARD

PCMCIA (PC CARD)

This card for laptops connects via the PC card slot. Ensure that
we buy a card compatible with our laptop, as there exist both 16 bit and 32 bit cards, some
with card bus support.

COMPACTFLASH CARD

A variation of the PCMCIA card, compactFlash is a smaller card

commonly used in pocket PC devices.Again there are different types (type I and type II)
That differ in thickness. Ensure the card we get will in our device.

PCI CARD
 This card for DESKTOPS comes in two variants: One is a
complete natwork adoptor and includes everything needed to connect to the wireless LAN ,
and the other is a converter card that installs in the desktops PC and allows the use of a
PCMCIA wireless network adoptor. Both of these require the Installation of the card into
an empty expansion slot inside the computer.

USB

This is the simplest method for adding Wi-Fi to our desktop

computer .The wireless network adoptor is connected via USB , either directly to the PCs
USB connector or via a USB hub. If we are using a USB hub, make sure that it is mains
powered ,as not many PCs provide enough electrical power to power both the hub and the
network adoptor , and any other device we may have connected.

EXTENDING CURRENT NETWORK WITH A Wi-Fi LAN

It is easy to add another wireless computer to a Wi-Fi network.

There is no need to purchase or lay more cable to find an available Ethernet port on our
hub or router . Just plug in our card or USB connection , turn on our computer ,and we are
surfing the Net.

If our business grows and we need to move , we do not have to

abandon our network infrastructure investment or hire a networking company to rewire
the new location .And there is no network downtime ,we can be up and running even before
the furniture arrives. Simply plug the system into a power outlet and we will be operational
in minutes.

COMPARISON WITH BLUETOOTH

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth is a personal area networking (PAN) technology designed

to provide short-range connectivity peripherals such as keyboards , speakers ,and
headsets.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are complementary technologies that address

different market needs .

FEATURES OF BLUETOOTH

1.It supports low data rates (721 Kbps) and limited range (10
metres),achieving low cost and minimal power drain.
2.It replaces the mass of cables we use to connect ‘personal’ devices to
share information.
3.It can also pass real-time text messages using the ‘chat’ feature.
COMPARISON OF BLUETOOTH AND Wi-Fi

1.Wi-Fi is much faster than Bluetooth. The speed of Wi-fi is 11Mbps

whereas the speed of bluetooth is 721 Kbps.
2.Wi-Fi can be considered as a low key automated way of exchanging
and synchronizing localised information. However , Bluetooth have networking
capabilities to a maximum of seven users with one machine as the master.
3.Wi-Fi replaces long network cables from desk to hub/server. It
allows user to log on to an office /business network without the need to physically attach a
network card.
4.Bluetooth is just a cable replacement technology and not a real
network technology like Wi-Fi.
5.Bluetooth for wireless point-to-point connections and Wi-Fi for
wireless network connections.
6.Bluetooth is designed to replace cables between cellphones , laptops
and other computing and communication devices within in the range of 10 metres. Wi-Fi is a
wireless Ethernet ;it provides an extension or replacement of wired networks for dozens of
computing devices.

SECURITY OF WIRELESS NETWORKS

Wireless security is important , and all wireless networks provide

wired equivalent privacy(WEP) , a basic encryption technology that can prevent
eavesdropping. Make sure we turn it on. Some Wi-Fi certified access points or gateways also
provide access control function to restrict access to our Wi-Fi network.

WEP is designed to make the security of the wireless medium equal

to that of a wired medium. WEP encryption prevents unauthorised access to the networks
as well as the capture of wireless LAN traffic .WEP uses a shared key system ,whereby both
the wireless-enabled computer and the access points are given by the same key string and
any device without this key is denied from access.

RANGE OF WIRELESS NETWORK

Range varies in a Wi-Fi network depending upon the

1.type of Wi-Fi radio and antenna used.
2.the network environment(open or a building with lots of
walls and furniture).The composition of walls and floors can also have a major impact.
3.Wi-Fi is a very low powered radio signal and does not
penetrate metal, water or other dense materials.

The Wi-Fi network generally provides a range of about 23 metres(75

feet) to 45.5 metres (150 feet) in a typical home or office.
 In an open environment like an empty warehouse or outdoors , a
range upto 305 metres(1000 feet) or more.

WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY FOR DEEPLY EMBEDDED

SYSTEMS

An innovative microcontroller development kit from Iosoft has

opened up new application vistas for developers of deeply embedded 8/16 bit systems.
Providing the first reference design for interfacing PICmicro microcontrollers to 802.11b
including a lean web server the ER21 kit provides a very low cost solution for Internet and
wireless enabling real time systems.

ER21 DEVELOPMENT KIT

The ER21 development kit is a combination of a PCB with a PIC18XX family

microcontroller with flash memory ,in-circuit debug connector ,and Ethernet and serial
interfaces linked to a commercial PCMCIA card for the 802.11b wireless network.

The kit comes with a circuit diagram and comprehensive software support in the
form of chipweb wireless a new variant of Iosoft’s pioneering lean TCP/IP protocol suite
for microcontrollers. The software provides a comprehensive range of connectivity
protocols (including TCP, IP, UDP, DHCP, HTTP, SMTP, and POP3).These protocols allow
users to implement connectivity with features such as a web server, email capability, and
high speed data transfer, informs optimized for the small memory arrays available on
micro controller products.

Uses

The kit allows PICmicro based embedded systems to communicate in ‘ad-hoc’

(IBSS) or ‘infrastructure’(ESS) Wi-FI modes. IBSS or independent basic service set ,
provides peer to peer connectivity and is suitable for very small networks. ESS, or
extended service set, networks are more common and use radio hubs (known as access
points) in coordinate traffic maximizing reliabilty and minimizing power consumption.
Access points can also act as gateways into conventional Ethernet networks, allowing
transparent communication between wired and wireless nodes –any existing network
software can be used on a WLAN with zero changes.

APPLICATIONS OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

1.Home Wi-Fi networks can connect multiple computers to each

other, to peripherals and to the Internet. It can connect a family’s computers together to
share such hardware and software resources as printers and the Internet. That means
everyone in the family can share stored files , photos, and documents and print them out on
a single printer attached to one desktop computer.
 2.Large corporations and campuses use enterprise level technology
and Wi-Fi certified wireless products to extend standard wired Ethernet networks to public
areas like meeting rooms, training class rooms and large auditoria.

3.Service providers and wireless ISPs use Wi-Fi technology to

distribute Internet connectivity within individual homes and businesses as well as
apartments and commercial complexes.

4.Busy public places like coffee shops, hotels, airport lounges and
other locations where large crowds gather will be the fastest –growing segment of Wi-Fi
service ,as more and more travelers and mobile professionals clamour for fast and secure
Internet access wherever they are.

CONCLUSION
Wireless communication networks will be found in urban areas
providing coverage throughout the central city, or even lining major highways , enabling
travelers access anywhere they can pull over and stop.

Because of overgrowth in wireless communication world has become

a small village. A person can communicate to any other person who is anywhere in the
world at any time by means of mobile.