About WiFi
What Is Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, is a term that is used generically to
refer to any product or service using any type of 802.11 wireless networking
protocol. Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands,
with an 11 Mbps (802.11b) or 54 Mbps (802.11a or g) data rate,
respectively.
Wi-Fi enabled devices (laptops or PDAs) can send and
receive data wirelessly from any location equipped with Wi-Fi access. How?
Access points, installed within a Wi-Fi location, transmit an RF signal to Wi-Fi
enabled devices that are within range of the access point, which is about 300
feet. The speed of the transmission is governed by the speed of the pipeline fed
into the access point.
How it works
WiFi - wireless fidelity - is mainly
centred around the 802.11b standard using the unlicensed 2.4GHz band to transmit
data across the radio spectrum normally occupied by cordless phones, garage door
openers and a growing number of Bluetooth products designed for device
connectivity.
A transmitting antenna, usually linked to a DSL or high-speed land-based
internet connection, uses radio waves to beam signals to PCs, laptops, PDAs and
mobile devices. A client antenna, a PC card ( PCI or USB connected), removable
PCMCIA card or chip embedded into the remote device, picks up the signal.
The client device can receive strong signal within a 100 metre range of the
transmitter. The further from the signal the slower the data rate - although
additional transmitters can boost that rate.
Wide area WiFi
Outside the office WiFi is finding its
niche as a variety of operating models are explored around New Zealand with
cafes, hotels, airports and other public outlets keen to provide 'hotspots'
where laptop users can have wireless internet access or link to workplace
networks.
By 2006, research firm Gartner expects 99 million WiFi users and 89,000 public WiFi access points around the world. Starbucks has already WiFi'd 2000 coffee shops in the US and by the end of the year 300 McDonald's restaurants plan to offer an hour of free high-speed wireless access to anyone who buys a combination meal.