Imagine a day without Wi-Fi at home!! Wi-Fi has become a basic need for a settled home. When you settle down to a place, always keep Wi-Fi Installation on the priority checklist. One Wi-Fi and all your devices are good to go. In this post, we will discuss What is Wi-Fi, How it Works, Wi-Fi Full Form, Applications, Technical Specifications, benefits, and other important aspects to keep you updated.

Wi-Fi Full Form – Definition of Wi-Fi

There is a misunderstanding that Wi-Fi full form is Wireless Fidelity. However, Wi-Fi is actually a trademarked IEEE 802.11xterm. The fact is that there is no full form of Wi-Fi and it never existed.

wi-fi

For any electronic device, this Wi-Fi mechanism allows electronic devices to interchange data wirelessly over a computer network.  It resembles the long-established audio equipment classification term High Fidelity (Hi-Fi). Wi-Fi is a basic technology of wireless local area networks (WLAN). This network is run by radio waves which are quite similar to mobile networks. A user can access the internet from any PC by connecting to Wi-Fi.

History of Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi’s origin dated back to 1985 when The Federal Communications Commission of the USA circulated its decision to allow anyone to use radio spectrum bands of 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz without a license.

Applications of Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi Applications

The Wi-Fi device is used to connect to a hotspot within 20 meters of distance.  These wireless networks are less secure than wired communication. While using Wi-Fi, the attacker on the end does not need a physical connection. However, the Wi-Fi can be used on the below devices too-

  1. Video games
  2. Personal Computers
  3. Digital Camera
  4. Smartphones
  5. Tablet Computers etc.

Compared to 3G networks, Wi-Fi provides much higher peak data rates. Wi-Fi operates in the bandwidth of 20MHz, but they are not built to handle high-speed mobility. In today’s generation, a majority of laptops include a built-in Wi-Fi interface. Personal data Assistants (PDAs), cordless phones, cellular phones, cameras, and media players. An interface is being created for many devices with the help of Wi-Fi.

Technical Specifications of Wi-Fi

As mentioned above, the Wi-Fi is based on IEEE 802.11 specifications. Below are the Wi-Fi standards in the order that were based on specifications and connectivity-

  1. 802.11a
  2. 802.11b
  3. 802.11g
  4. 802.11n
  5. 802.11ac

Working of Wi-Fi

Without any wires, the Wi-Fi device makes connections between the two devices, and for that, it engages radio frequency. For any wireless network, there should be an access point to connect any device and the area in which the Wi-Fi is known as a hotspot.

Radio Signals

Radio Signals1

Wi-Fi networking is possible only with the help of radio transmissions. The emitted radio signals from the Wi-fi antenna are picked up by Wi-Fi receivers like PCs and cell phones that are equipped with Wi-Fi cards. When a computer receives signals within a range of a Wi-Fi network which is approximately 300-500 feet from the antenna, the Wi-Fi card reads the signals and creates an internet connection between the user and the network without any access.

Antennas and routers are considered entry points and are the principal sources that send and receive radio waves. Antennas work stronger and the radio transmission is longer with a radius of 300-500ft which is used in public places. While the weak antennas are yet effective routers that are more suitable for houses with radio transmissions of 100-500ft.

Wi-Fi Cards

Wi-Fi Card

Wi-Fi cards are the cards that are unseen and connect the computer to the antenna for a direct connection to the internet. These Wi-Fi cards can be inside or outside. In case, the user’s computer does not have a Wi-Fi card installed, then he can buy a USB antenna and connect them externally to a USB port.

Wi-Fi Hotspots

Wi-Fi Hotspots

A Wi-Fi hotspot is designed to set up an access point for an internet connection.  These access points transmit a wireless signal over a specified distance only which is around 300 feet. Most of the hotspots are situated in settings that are accessible easily to the public like – airports, coffee shops, hotels, bookstores, and the surroundings of the college. In fact, 802.11b is the most frequently used specification for hotspots across the world and the 802.11g standard is compatible backward.

Private internet service providers (ISPs) provide the largest public Wi-Fi networks. They charge the users who would like to access the internet. Hotspots are developing rapidly on the earth. In the USA, T-Mobile manages more than 4,100 hotspots situated in public areas like Starbucks, Borders, Kinkos and Delta airline clubs, and United and US Airways. Recently, McDonald’s restaurants enabled Wi-Fi hotspot features.

There are a few hotspots that may require a WEP key to connect, considered as private and secure. Anyone who has a Wi-Fi card for an open connection can access to that hotspot. Hence, the user has to enter the WEP key code in order to access the internet under WEP.

Wi-Fi Network Standards and Frequencies

  1. The Wi-Fi frequency level is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. The 802.11 networking standards are dependent on the requirements of the user.
  2. In the 802.11a network standard, the carriage of data is at the frequency of 5 GHz. There is a data journey at a maximum speed of 54 MB per second.
  3. In the 802.11b network standard, the transmission of data is at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. There is data travel at a maximum speed of 11 MB per second.
  4. In the 802.11g network standard, the transmission of data is at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. There is data travel at the maximum speed of 54 MB per second.
  5. In the 802.11n network standard, the carriage of data is at the frequency of 5 GHz. There is data travel at the maximum speed of 140 MB per second.

Benefits of Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi Benefits

Wi-Fi allows Local Area Networks (LANs) to function without using cables and hence their popularity has increased because of this function. Below are some of the benefits Wi-Fi that it provides –

  1. Many public venues like airports, coffee shops, and hotels provide Wi-Fi connectivity.
  2. There are few cities that have built free Wi-Fi networks that will reach out to the entire city.
  3. Few modern gadgets like laptops, smartphones, tablet computers, and electronic gaming devices use Wi-Fi to provide wireless broadband internet access.

Author’s Point

Research says, Wi-Fi has affected significantly which changes the daily lives of people. Wi-Fi technology is spread widely with the convenience of arriving frequently. This scenario is the same with the educational sectors by adding a ‘mobility’ factor to traditional teaching and learning practices which can be done anywhere.

However, there was another drawback with students criticizing the quality of teaching by lecturers. This is in fact a combination of various distractions with electronic devices like laptops, mp3 players, cell phones, etc. But educational sectors cannot blame Wi-Fi alone as it is the combinational effect of many devices.

It is common for students to distract. Instead of reading papers or playing games, they are using the internet and laptops as well. As time goes on, even the engineers ensure to get the Wi-Fi standard which can improve in the places where it is weak like- security, speed, reliability, etc. There are two new technologies that are spreading widely i.e, 802.11n and Wi-Max. They attract interest in specific technology departments of educational sectors. We hope the myth of Wi-Fi Full Form will never trouble you again!! Happy Reading.

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