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11.5.3 Wireless Networking Facts

In addition to copper wires and fiber optic cables, networks can also transmit data using radio
waves. This technology is called wireless networking (Wi-Fi).

This lesson covers the following topics:

Wireless communication
Wireless standards
Long-range wireless

Wireless Communication
Wireless networks send data through the air using radio waves. These radio waves are referred
to as an unbounded medium because they are not encased in a sheath like a fiber optic cable or
unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables. This means that the wireless signal can reach areas that a
wired network cannot.

Wireless networks use specific radio frequency ranges that are regulated by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC). The two most common frequencies used by wireless
networks are the 2.4 GHZ and 5 GHz ranges.

2.4 GHz wireless signals are wider, but shorter. This means they can travel further, but
transmit data at a slower rate.
5 GHz wireless signals are thinner, but taller. This means they do not travel as far, but
can transmit data at a faster rate.

These wireless frequency ranges are considered unlicensed. This means that you do not need
special permission to use them. It also means that other devices can also use these frequencies.
If two devices using the same frequency are in the same area, the wireless signals will collide
and the signals will be dropped.

To remedy this situation, you can adjust the channel on the wireless network. Changing the
wireless channel will slightly adjust the frequency to avoid conflicts. Each channel is
approximately 20 MHz wide. This means that many of the channels overlap slightly.

The 2.4 GHz range has three non-overlapping channels and the 5 GHz range has 24
 non-overlapping channels.

Wireless Standards

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Wireless networks are all defined by the IEEE 802.11 standards. These standards specify ways to
increase bandwidth and reduce interference when transferring data using radio waves. The
standards are all labeled with the 802.11 designation and letters designate the updated
standard.

The following table describes the 802.11 standards.

Standard

Specification 802.11ac 802.11

802.11a 802.11b 802.11g 802.11n
(Wi-Fi 5) (Wi-Fi 6

2.4 GHz or 2.4 GHz

Frequency 5 GHz 2.4 GHz 2.4 GHz 5 GHz
5 GHz GHz

Maximum 54 54
11 Mbps 600 Mbps 3.46 Gbps 14 Gbp
speed Mbps Mbps

Maximum
100 ft. 150 ft. 150 ft. 300 ft. 300 ft. 300 ft.
distance

2.4 GHz:
Channels
11 (3 or 1) Depends on Depend
(non- 23 (12) 11 (3) 11 (3)
5 GHz: configuration configu
overlapped)
23 (12 or 6)

802.11a/b/g,
Backwards
N/A None 802.11b depending on 802.11b/g/n 802.11b
compatibility
implementation

The ability of newer devices to communicate with older devices depends on the capabilities of
the transmit radios in the access point. For example, some 802.11n devices can transmit at
either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. However, a single radio cannot transmit at both frequencies at the
same time. A dual band access point can use one radio to transmit at one frequency, and a
different radio to transmit at a different frequency.

All speeds and distances are theoretical and will typically be achieved only in an optimal
environment.

Transmission speeds are affected by distance, obstructions (such as walls), and

interference.
Maximum signal distance depends on several factors, including obstructions, antenna
strength, and interference. For example, the actual distance for communications in a
typical environment (with one or two walls) is roughly half of the maximum.
Because transmission speeds decrease with distance, either the maximum distance or
the maximum speed can be achieved, but not both.
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Newer 802.11 standards have added new technologies in order to increase potential bandwidth
and transmission distance. The following table provides details for these technologies.

Technology Details

MIMO increases bandwidth by using multiple antennas for both the transmitter and
receiver.
Multiple-Input,
A system is described by the number of sending and receiving antennas. The
Multiple-Output
802.11n specifications allow up to four sending and four receiving antennas.
(MIMO)
MIMO relies on beamforming to deliver better speeds. Beamforming focuses
the signal to a specific receiving device which results in a higher quality signal.

MU-MIMO is an enhancement to MIMO that allows multiple users to use the same
channel.
Multi-User MIMO
(MU-MIMO)
In addition to adding MU-MIMO, 802.11ac doubled the number of MIMO radio streams
from four to eight.

Channel bonding combines two, non-overlapping 20 MHz channels into a single 40

MHz channel. This results in slightly more than double the bandwidth.

The 5 GHz range has a total of 23 channels, with 12 non-overlapping. This

Channel bonding allows for a maximum of six non-overlapping bonded (combined) channels.
The 2.4 GHz range has a total of 11 channels, with three non-overlapping. This
allows for a maximum of one non-overlapping bonded channel. For this
reason, channel bonding is typically not practical for the 2.4 GHz range.

Long-Range Wireless
A long-range wireless network is typically setup to connect two buildings together on the same
network. Depending on the distance between the network locations, different solutions are
available.

If the locations are only a short distance apart, you can install a high-end wireless access
point with special antennas. These networks still use the unlicensed frequencies and
appropriate 802.11 standard.
If the network locations are spread across a longer distance, special equipment is
needed. These long-range networks also need special permission to use a licensed
frequency range such as 900 MHz or 3.65 GHz.
Regardless of the range, some wireless access points allow the power to be increased.
Increasing the power allows the access point to transmit a longer distance, but can lead
to overheating and instability.

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Always follow FCC guidance and requirements if increasing the power as this can cause
interference with other wireless devices in the area.

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