Module 1: Fundamentals of Wireless Communications

Wireless Communication: When information is transmitted over a distance without

physical cables or wires, this is referred to as wireless communication.

There are four important things that are needed for wireless communication to work:

• Transmitter: A transmitter is a device that sends information, like a radio or a

smartphone. It's like a person who talks to you on the phone. They are the ones
sending the message.

• Receiver: A receiver is a device that receives information, like another radio or a

smartphone. It's like a person who listens to you on the phone. They are the ones
getting the message.

• Medium: A medium is a thing that the information travels through, like air, water, or
space. It's like the air that carries the sound waves from a person talking to you on the
phone.

• Signal: A signal is actual information that is being sent, like voice, text, video, or data.
It's like the words that a person says to you on the phone.

Advantages:
1. Mobility
Wireless systems enable users to communicate and access information from
virtually anywhere, untethered by cables or physical infrastructure.

2. Convenience
Eliminating the need for wired connections simplifies setup and maintenance,
making it easier to deploy communication systems in homes, offices, and public
spaces.

3. Scalability
Wireless networks can be easily expanded, whether by adding more devices or
extending coverage, without the constraints of physical wiring.

4. Cost-Effectiveness
Reducing the reliance on wired infrastructure lowers installation and maintenance
costs, especially in large-scale deployments.
 5. Enhanced Connectivity
Wireless technologies enable seamless communication between devices, driving
innovations like smart homes, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things
(IoT).

Disadvantages:

1. An improperly installed or managed wireless network could pose serious security

risks.
2. The wireless network's speed is less rapid than that of wired networks. In a
wireless network, file transfers and file sharing are much slower.
3. There is a high chance of interference and jamming in wireless networks because of
environmental variables like dust storms or fog.
4. When too many users are in one area, the air band that the signals are transported
across can become overloaded.
5. A basic understanding of computers is necessary to set up a wireless network.
Installing a wireless network might be difficult for people with little computer skills.
Security is risky, and those networks are easy targets for hackers.

Applications

1. Making Calls
Billions of people around the world use cell phones every day. These phones work by
sending radio waves from one cell tower to another, creating a network that directs the
waves. This way, calls get routed to the right phone.

Even with the Internet available everywhere, businesses still rely on phone calls for
customer service and sales. Sometimes, nothing beats a direct conversation to solve
problems or close a deal.
To ensure your team always stays connected, we can help implement high-performance
networks optimized for voice communications.

2. Connecting Devices
Bluetooth is super handy for connecting devices. It uses short-range, low-energy radio
waves to link things up. Think about how you connect your phone to a wireless headset—
it’s safe for making calls while driving.

But Bluetooth does more than just hands-free calls. It helps transfer data between devices
like smartphones, tablets, and computers. In offices, Bluetooth often powers wireless
printing. The Internet of Things (IoT) also relies on Bluetooth to connect smart home
devices like thermostats, cameras, lights, TVs, and speakers.

Fitness buffs love Bluetooth for syncing their gadgets, and doctors use it to get data from
medical devices like pacemakers.

3. Accessing the Internet

We all use Wi-Fi, but how does it work? Wi-Fi networks use routers to send radio
frequency (RF) signals to your devices. As long as your device has a wireless adapter, it can
pick up these signals and get online. This is super useful in offices where everyone needs to
share the same internet connection.

4. Enhancing Security
Wireless communication can seriously boost security. Walkie-talkies, for example, use
radio signals and don’t have the same connection issues as cell phones, making them
reliable for security guards.

5. Locating and Tracking

Satellite communication connects satellites to devices on Earth, making phone calls and
internet access possible. One of the coolest uses of this technology is GPS, which helps
businesses track their vehicles and employees.

With GPS, companies can keep an eye on their fleets and make sure everything is running
smoothly, improving logistics and overall efficiency.
While there are many other uses of wireless communication technologies, these 5 stand
out due to their common use.

Parameters FDMA TDMA CDMA

Full Form The term FDMA is an The term TDMA is an The term CDMA is an
acronym for Frequency acronym for Time acronym for Code
Division Multiple Access. Division Multiple Access. Division Multiple
Access.
Mode of FDMA shares one single TDMA only shares theThe CDMA shares
Operation bandwidth among time of transmission via
both- time and
various stations by the satellite and not the
bandwidth among
splitting it into sub- channel. various stations by
channels. assigning a different
code for every slot.
Idea of It segments a single It segments the sending It spreads one
Transmission band of frequency into time of data into disjoint spectrum into multiple
various disjoint sub- time slots- in a fixed or slots by making use of
bands. demand-driven pattern. orthogonal codes.
Synchronization FDMA does not require TDMA requires CDMA also requires no
any synchronization. synchronization. synchronization.
Data Transmission occurs via Transmission occurs via Transmission occurs
Transmission a continuous signal in signals in bursts. via digital signals.
Mode FDMA.
Rate of Data FDMA supports a low TDMA supports a CDMA supports a high
rate of data. medium rate of data. rate of data.
Flexibility FDMA is a little flexible. Flexibility is moderate in CDMA is highly flexible
TDMA. in nature.
Capacity of Cells FDMA has a very limited TDMA also has a very CDMA does not
cell capacity. limited cell capacity. possess any limit on a
channel’s capacity- but
this system is
interference-limited.
Advantages FDMA is robust, TDMA is very flexible, CDMA is flexible,
established, and very fully digital, and requires lesser
simple. established. frequency planning,
and has a softer
handover of signals.
Disadvantages FDMA is not very TDMA needs guard space CDMA deals with very
flexible, and the (for multipath complex receivers. The
frequencies it possesses propagation). senders/ transmitters
are a scarce resource. require a more
complicated form of
power control.
Comment FDMA typically TDMA holds the CDMA still faces some
combines with SDMA standards in a fixed major issues. It is
(Space Division Multiple network. Many mobile highly complex and
Access) and TDMA. networks combine it by has lower
using it together with expectations. It will
SDMA or FDMA. probably integrate
with FDMA and TDMA.

Spread Spectrum Technology:

Spread spectrum is a method of transmitting radio signals over a wide range of

frequencies. It spreads the signal over a broader bandwidth than the minimum required to
send the information, which provides advantages such as increased resistance to
interference, improved security, and enhanced privacy. The excerpt discusses the use of
spread-spectrum techniques in communication to ensure secure transmission. This
method uses air as a medium and extends bandwidth to create a protective envelope for
signals, reducing the risk of interception or jamming. The ‘spread code’ is a patterned
series of numbers that enlarges the original signal’s bandwidth. This method is typically
used in situations where secure transmission is crucial.

FHSS DSSS

FHSS changes the frequency, and the DSSS changes the phase, and the carrier
hopping of frequency follows a pattern frequency remains in a fixed frequency band
known to the sender and receiver

Lower signal transmission rate (up to Higher signal transmission rate (up to 11
3Mbps) Mbps)

FHSS is a robust spread spectrum technique DSSS is a sensitive spread spectrum technique
that is suitable to employ in harsh that is influenced by harsh environmental
environments conditions

FHSS is suitable for single point as well as DSSS is suitable for point to point
multipoint communications communication

The decoding process is simple in FHSS To decode in DSSS, a particular algorithm is

required to make the connection between the
transmitter and receiver

FHSS is less reliable DSSS is more reliable

The analog to digital conversion in FHSS The time taken to convert an analog signal to
takes less time digital is higher

At a lower transmission rate, FHSS is The implementation of DSSS at radio

cheaper frequencies with a high transmission rate is
cheaper
 FHSS is not dependent on the distance of Distance is an influencing factor in DSSS
signal transmission

At a given transmitting power, FHSS offers At a given transmitting power, the wider
higher power spectral density operating spectrum of DSSS provides lower
power spectral density

As the carrier frequency is varied in FHSS, it In DSSS, the message bits are both frequency
causes frequency-selective fading, where the and time spread DSSS. This kind of spreading
error is bursty in nature. reduces the influence of interference and
fading. The percentage error in DSSS is less
than FHSS

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Evolution of wireless generations (1G to 5G)

Wireless technology has come a long way since the mid-1970s, when the first cellular
networks, known as 1G, began to appear. Since then, all generations of cellular networks
have been marked by a variety of significant improvements. From the initial analogue 1G
networks to the current 5G networks, each advance in technology has made the internet
more accessible and the connection faster.

The evolution of wireless technology has made it possible to move beyond traditional
voice-only calls to sending text and multimedia messages, streaming music and video, and
accessing the internet at increasingly faster speeds. This evolution has made wireless
technology a fundamental part of our lives. As we move forward, we can expect to see even
more advances in wireless technology that will continue to change the way we
communicate and interact online.

First Generation (1G) Technology

1G, or first generation, wireless technology was a major revolution in the world of
communication. It was the first step in connecting people across the globe, and it paved the
way for the amazing wireless technologies we have today.
1G technology provided analogue cellular service, and it was developed in the early 1980s.
It allowed users to make mobile phone calls, sending and receiving a signal via radio
frequencies. It also allowed for two-way communication.

Features of 1g Technology
• The main feature of 1G technology was the ability to make calls from any location.
Because of this, it has become popular for both personal and business use.
• Furthermore, it offered a great deal of convenience for people who travelled or
needed to stay connected on the go
• The transmission speeds of 1G technology were quite low, usually maxing out at 9.6
kbps. This meant that data usage was limited, and it wasn’t suitable for more
complex applications.

Second Generation(2G) Technology

2G, or the Second Generation of wireless technology, was a revolutionary leap forward
compared to 1G. It was introduced in the early 1990s and allowed data transfer speeds up
to 64 Kbit/s. 2G also enabled the first digital mobile phones and text messaging. 2G allowed
users to make voice calls and send text messages, but it was limited to those two features.

Features of 2g Technology

• 2G technology was based on GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)

which allowed for digital encryption of communications.
• 2G also made it possible for phone networks to track the exact location of a user and
allowed roaming between different networks.
• 2G also allowed for the development of mobile internet and mobile commerce.
• 2G technology was instrumental in the development of the modern mobile phone
and although it has been largely replaced by 3G and 4G technologies, it is still used
in some parts of the world.
• Many people still find the 2G network more reliable than the more modern
networks.

Third Generation (3G) Technology

Third Generation (3G) technology is an improved version of wireless communication
technology which was released in the late 1990s. This technology provided significant

enhancements over the 2G systems, such as increased data transmission speeds and
improved multimedia capabilities. With the introduction of 3G technology, the main focus
is on data speeds, allowing users to access the Internet, stream multimedia, and make
video calls.

Features of 3g Technology

• The main features of 3G technology are that it allows users to access high-speed
data services, such as streaming audio and video and making video calls.
• It also offers improved coverage, allowing users to stay connected in areas where
2G service may be poor.
• In addition, 3G technology allows for higher data transfer speeds, making it ideal for
accessing the Internet, downloading large files, and streaming multimedia content.
• Finally, 3G technology is more energy efficient than 2G systems, allowing for longer
battery life.

Fourth Generation(4G) Technology

Fourth Generation (4G) was designed to provide higher data rates and increased
bandwidth to users. It is the successor to 3G and is a huge leap forward in terms of speed
and capability. 4G technology offers much faster data speeds than 3G, providing users with
speeds up to 100 Mbps. This means downloading a movie file will take just seconds.

Features of 4g Technology

• 4G offers a much more reliable signal and connection when compared to previous
generations.
• Its improved signal strength and data transfer speeds allow users to enjoy faster
browsing and streaming experiences.
• Moreover, 4G technology allows for a better quality of voice calls, as it uses a
different type of voice codec to compress audio signals.
 • In addition, 4G networks are better equipped to handle data-intensive activities like
gaming, streaming videos, and sending large documents. It also supports a variety of
services, including Location-Based services (LBS), Mobile TV, and VoIP.

Fifth Generation (5G) Technology

5G technology is the latest generation of wireless technology and is currently being rolled
out. It is capable of handling data transmissions of up to 10Gb/s, which is 100 times faster
than 4G technology. This technology will enable users to access the internet more quickly,
stream videos in ultra-high definition, and access virtual and augmented reality
applications.

Features of 5g Technology

• The main features of 5G technology are its incredibly fast speeds, low latency,
massive capacity, and improved reliability.
• 5G can provide speeds of up to 10 Gbps, which is up to 100 times faster than the
average home broadband connection. This means that users can enjoy high-quality
streaming services without any buffering or lag.
• It also offers low latency, which is important for applications such as gaming and
virtual reality.
• 5G is also capable of supporting a massive number of devices and users
simultaneously.