Wireless Technology

Wireless technologies are systems that enable communication and data transmission
without the use of physical wires or cables. They are widely used in various domains such as
telecommunication, networking, entertainment, health care, and security.

1.CELLULAR NETWORKS (3G/4G/5G)

are wireless technologies that enable mobile communication over large geographical areas.
Example: LONG-TERM EVOLUTION (LTE)

PROS
Widely available and can be accessed from almost anywhere in the world.
Fast data transfer speeds, especially with 4G and 5G networks.
Reliable than Wi-Fi networks because they are not affected by interference from other devices.
Make phone calls and send text messages.

CONS
Expensive, especially if you use a lot of data.
Slow in areas with poor coverage.
Affected by weather conditions.
Less secure than wired networks because they are more vulnerable to hacking.

2.Wi-Fi(Wireless Fidelity)
is a wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed
internet and network connections.

PROS
Convenience, portability without a wire, which allows users to be connected only within close
proximity to a router.
High-speed internet access.
it is very common in networking applications.

CONS
Security concerns.
High latency (delays) and slower speeds than cable which interfere with online gaming and
real-time stock market trading.
Some Wi-Fi plans also have data restrictions.

3.Bluetooth
it is used for short-range communication between devices such as smartphones, laptops, and
headphones.

Devices using Bluetooth:

Smartphones and Tablets
Wireless Headphones and Earbuds
Wireless Speakers

PROS
Bluetooth offers continuous communication in
two directions.
Bluetooth can perform data transfers at 1-3MBs.
Bluetooth is voice capable.

CONS
Bluetooth has high power consumption.

Bluetooth has a limited range of up to 10 meters.

4.Radio Frequency(RF)
It allows a set of frequencies to be used in other cells, as long as the cells aren’t bordering each
other. It is possible for numerous callers in one area to use the same frequency because calls can
be switched to the closest base station with that particular frequency.

Example:
Television and Radio Broadcast Receivers: TV sets, radio receivers, and tuners receive RF
signals transmitted by broadcasting stations to deliver audio and video content to viewers and
listeners.

PROS
Transmit data over long distances without the need for wires.
Can penetrate walls and other obstacles.
Can be used in other wireless communications, remote controls, and RFID.

CONS
Affected by interference from other devices.
Affected by environmental factors such as weather conditions.
Expensive.

5.LoRaWAN( Long Range Wide Area Network)

is a wireless communication technology developed for long-distance and low-power application
scenarios.

PROS
Worldwide available: It uses 868 MHz/ 915 MHz ISM bands.
Wide coverage range: 5 km in urban areas and 15 km in suburban areas.
Less power and hence battery will last for longer duration.
Single LoRa Gateway device is designed to take care of 1000s of end devices.

CONS
Data rate lower than Wi-Fi or cellular networks.
Limited number of channels available for transmission.

6.ZIGBEE
a wireless protocol that uses mesh networking to connect devices over long distances.

EXAMPLE:

Smart Locks:
Zigbee-compatible smart locks offer keyless entry, remote access control, and integration
with home automation systems for enhanced security.

PROS
Range up to 100 meters and can support up to 65,000 devices on a single network.
Low power consumption and can run on batteries for years.

CONS
Susceptibility to network interferences due to channel noise and overcrowding.
Data Transfer Rate: Zigbee is optimized for low-power and low-data-rate applications.

7.Satellite Communication
it is a method of transmitting and receiving data through the use of orbiting satellites.

Example:
Scientific Research and Exploration: Satellites aid in space exploration, astronomy, and scientific
research by collecting data, images, and information about celestial bodies, the universe, and
space phenomena.

PROS
Global coverage and reliability.
Can reach areas that traditional terrestrial communication infrastructure cannot.
Essential tool for remote locations, disaster management, and international communication.
Can be used for data communication, voice communication, and video communications like
phone calls and video calls.

CONS
High costs.
High latency (delays) and slower speeds than cable which interfere with online gaming and
real-time stock market trading.
Some satellite plans also have data restrictions.

8.RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)

is a wireless technology that uses radio waves to read and capture information stored on tags
attached to objects.

Example:
Access Control and Security:
Employee Identification: RFID cards or badges are used for access control in offices, allowing
employees to enter secure areas or buildings.

PROS
Offers a range of advantages that can help to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Automate data collection and tracking.
Can be read from a distance without requiring a line of sightl.
RFID tags can be used to track items as they move through a supply chain.

CONS
Expensive than barcode readers.
Implementation can be difficult and time-consuming.
Pose a security risk.

9.Broadcast Radio
It is a wireless communication technology that uses radio waves to transmit audio content to a
large number of listeners.
Example:
Music Stations,
News/Talk Stations,
Community and Local Stations,
Religious and Spiritual Stations

PROS
Free medium that can be accessed by anyone with a radio receiver.
Can be listened to while doing other activities such as driving or working.
Can be used to reach a large audience quickly and easily.
Can be used to provide local news and information.

CONS
Can be affected by interference from other electronic devices.
Limited in terms of the amount of information that can be conveyed compared to other forms of
media.

10.INFRARED
Infrared communication is a wireless technology that uses infrared light to transmit data
between devices.

Example:
Remote Controls: TV remote controls, stereo remotes, air conditioner remotes, and other home
entertainment system remotes often use infrared signals to communicate commands to the
respective devices.

PROS
Can be used to detect temperature changes in objects without making contact with them.
Can be used to detect motion and movement in objects.
Can be used to transmit data wirelessly over short distances.

CONS
Cannot penetrate walls or other solid objects, which can limit their range and effectiveness.
Can be affected by interference from other electronic devices, which can sometimes lead to
problems with signal quality.
Not as widely used as other forms of wireless communication such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

11.BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY(BLE)

It is designed for low-power devices and is commonly used in applications such as wearables,
smart home devices, and industrial sensors.

Eample:
Wearable Devices
Fitness Trackers: Devices like fitness bands and smartwatches use BLE to connect to smartphones,
track activity, monitor health metrics, and synchronize data with health apps.
PROS
Low power consumption and hence battery life can be very long.
Less power than traditional Bluetooth devices and have larger ranges.
Can be used for small size data transfer.

CONS
Only communicates in short bursts, and some BLE connections only go in one direction.
Limited to 125KBs-2MBs data transfer rate.
Not voice capable.

12.LPWANs (Low Power Wide Area Networks)

are a category of wireless communication networks designed to connect a vast number of
low-power IoT (Internet of Things) devices over extensive geographical areas.

Example:
Smart Agriculture: Soil moisture monitoring, crop health monitoring, and livestock tracking.

PROS
Long-Range Connectivity: LPWANs offer extended coverage over considerable distances,
enabling connectivity for IoT devices in remote or widespread areas.
Low Power Consumption: These networks are optimized for minimal energy usage
Cost-Effective Deployment: LPWANs often operate on unlicensed frequency bands
Scalability: They support a vast number of devices, making them suitable for deploying IoT
solutions across various industries and applications.
Suitable for Low Bandwidth Needs: LPWANs efficiently handle small data packets and low data
rates.

CONS
Low data rates cannot be used for high data rates.
Offers high latency between end-to-end nodes.
Security Concerns: As with any wireless network, ensuring data security in LPWANs is crucial.
Ensuring robust encryption and security measures is essential to protect transmitted data from
potential threats.
 GROUP 5 REPORT QUIZ

QUESTIONS:
Multiple Choice Part:
1. Bluetooth have a limited range of up to __ meters.
A. 100 B.50 C.10 D.150

2. _____ is a wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide

wireless high-speed internet and network connections.
A. LoRaWAN B. Zigbee C.LPWANs D. Wi-Fi

3. ____ is a wireless protocol that uses mesh networking to connect devices over long
distances.
A. Infrared B.Zigbee C.RFID D. Wi-Fi

4. ____ is a method of transmitting and receiving data through the use of orbiting
satellite.
A. Satellite Communication C. Satellite Internet
B. Broadcast Radio D.Radio Frequency

Identification Part:
5. What does LPWANs stands for ?

6. What does RFID stands for ?

True or False Part:

7. Cellular networks is widely available and can be accessed from almost anywhere
in the world.

8. Radio frequency is affected by environmental factors such as weather conditions.

9. Infrared can be used to transmit data wirelessly over shot distances.

10. Radio Broadcast uses radio waves to transmit audio content to a large number of
listeners.

11. Bluetooth Low Energy is not voice capable.

Key Answers:
1.C.
2.D.
3.B.
4.A.
5.Low Power Area Networks
6.Radio Frequency Identification
7.True
8.True
9.True
10.True
11.True