Wi-Fi (short for Wireless Fidelity) is a wireless technology used to increase the compatilibity of wireless networks. Common uses of Wi-Fi include Internet, gaming, Voice over IP, and network connectivity. Common Wi-Fi devices include the personal computer, iPod, PSP, Nintendo DS, home video game consoles, and several brands of PDA. Since its inception in 1997, Wi-Fi has grown in popularity and is quickly becoming the standard for wireless networking.
Benefits
There are several advantages of having a Wi-Fi connection. The most common use is the ability to connect to the Internet wirelessly. With Wi-Fi, you can also connect other electronic devices outside of a personal computer. You can connect digital cameras, DVDs, and video game consoles using a Wi-Fi connection.
Features
Wi-Fi uses high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data over a few hundred feet. Wi-Fi uses Ethernet protocol, which is the most common local area network technology. The wireless network uses either an infrared or radio frequency to link several mobile computer to its network. Wi-Fi uses a specific radio technology called IEEE 802.11b or 802.11a to provide a reliable wireless network connection. IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, which is an organization consisting of scientists and engineers in New York. Wi-Fi uses a frequency of 2.4 to 2.4835 gigahertz, which is also common microwaves and cordless telephones.
How it Works
A Wi-Fi connection works through a transmitting antenna, which is usually connected to a DSL or cable Internet connection. The antenna on the router will then beam radio signals through a specific range. Another antenna, which is on the laptop or personal computer, receives the signal.
The wireless signal typically has a range of 300 feet. The connection speeds gets slower as the distance between the computer and the router increases. A wireless access point connects a group of wireless devices to a wired Local Area Network, or LAN connection.
The wireless access point then relays data between the connected devices. Before a device can connect to a Wi-Fi network, a wireless adapter will need to be present. Wireless adapter can connect to devices using PCI or miniPCI, USB, Cardbus, ExpressCard, and PC card.
Once the device has a wireless adapter, you will need a wireless router to relay the signal to your adapter. The wireless router is connected to the high-speed modem with an Ethernet cable. Once the wireless router is connected, you should be able to receive a wireless signal as long as there is a wireless adapter on the device you wish to connect.
