Wireless communications networks - Revision history

Capiscuas: /* Mesh networks */

2012-03-27T15:02:53Z

Mesh networks

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:02, 27 March 2012
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	There are other mesh network protocols in existence such as Zigbee.		There are other mesh network protocols in existence such as Zigbee.
			More at about Mesh Networks at [[Point To Peer]]

	=Network topologies and technologies=		=Network topologies and technologies=

Jason: /* Legal regulations */

2011-06-21T07:44:01Z

Legal regulations

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:44, 21 June 2011
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	Frequency use is extremely regulated. Because of this, only certain frequencies can be used for certain purposes. One important thing to remember is that even though low frequencies can penetrate well, there is less bandwidth available (there is only 500 MHz available from 0 - 500 MHz, however from 5 - 10 GHz there is 5 GHz available). For all intensive purposes, we are interested in the ISM and UNII bands - 900 MHz, 2.4 - 2.5 GHz, and 5 - 5.8 GHz. In the near future, 60 GHz and 700 MHz may be available to the public (technically they are available, but the hardware isn't readily available, cheap, or ubiquitous).		Frequency use is extremely regulated. Because of this, only certain frequencies can be used for certain purposes. One important thing to remember is that even though low frequencies can penetrate well, there is less bandwidth available (there is only 500 MHz available from 0 - 500 MHz, however from 5 - 10 GHz there is 5 GHz available). For all intensive purposes, we are interested in the ISM and UNII bands - 900 MHz, 2.4 - 2.5 GHz, and 5 - 5.8 GHz. In the near future, 60 GHz and 700 MHz may be available to the public (technically they are available, but the hardware isn't readily available, cheap, or ubiquitous).

	Those with an amateur radio license enjoy the use of frequencies not available to the public, and are also allowed to operate their own hardware without it being certified by the FCC beforehand.		Those with an amateur radio license enjoy the use of frequencies not available to the public, and are also allowed to operate their own hardware without it being certified by the FCC beforehand. Amateur radio licenses are relatively easy to get compared to the amount of freedom they give.

	===Range===		===Range===

Jason: /* Legal regulations */

2011-06-21T07:43:05Z

Legal regulations

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:43, 21 June 2011
Line 25:		Line 25:
	===Legal regulations===		===Legal regulations===
	Frequency use is extremely regulated. Because of this, only certain frequencies can be used for certain purposes. One important thing to remember is that even though low frequencies can penetrate well, there is less bandwidth available (there is only 500 MHz available from 0 - 500 MHz, however from 5 - 10 GHz there is 5 GHz available). For all intensive purposes, we are interested in the ISM and UNII bands - 900 MHz, 2.4 - 2.5 GHz, and 5 - 5.8 GHz. In the near future, 60 GHz and 700 MHz may be available to the public (technically they are available, but the hardware isn't readily available, cheap, or ubiquitous).		Frequency use is extremely regulated. Because of this, only certain frequencies can be used for certain purposes. One important thing to remember is that even though low frequencies can penetrate well, there is less bandwidth available (there is only 500 MHz available from 0 - 500 MHz, however from 5 - 10 GHz there is 5 GHz available). For all intensive purposes, we are interested in the ISM and UNII bands - 900 MHz, 2.4 - 2.5 GHz, and 5 - 5.8 GHz. In the near future, 60 GHz and 700 MHz may be available to the public (technically they are available, but the hardware isn't readily available, cheap, or ubiquitous).

			Those with an amateur radio license enjoy the use of frequencies not available to the public, and are also allowed to operate their own hardware without it being certified by the FCC beforehand.

	===Range===		===Range===

Jason: /* Legal regulations */

2011-06-21T07:40:44Z

Legal regulations

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:40, 21 June 2011
Line 24:		Line 24:

	===Legal regulations===		===Legal regulations===
	Frequency use is extremely regulated. Because of this, only certain frequencies can be used for certain purposes. One important thing to remember is that even though low frequencies can penetrate well, there is less bandwidth available (there is only 500 MHz available from 0 - 500 MHz, however from 5 - 10 GHz there is 5 GHz available). For all intensive purposes, we are interested in the ISM and UNII bands - 900 MHz, 2.4 - 2.5 GHz, and 5 - 5.8 GHz. In the near future, 60 GHz and 700 MHz may be available to the public.		Frequency use is extremely regulated. Because of this, only certain frequencies can be used for certain purposes. One important thing to remember is that even though low frequencies can penetrate well, there is less bandwidth available (there is only 500 MHz available from 0 - 500 MHz, however from 5 - 10 GHz there is 5 GHz available). For all intensive purposes, we are interested in the ISM and UNII bands - 900 MHz, 2.4 - 2.5 GHz, and 5 - 5.8 GHz. In the near future, 60 GHz and 700 MHz may be available to the public (technically they are available, but the hardware isn't readily available, cheap, or ubiquitous).

	===Range===		===Range===

Jason: /* Legal regulations */

2011-06-21T07:39:54Z

Legal regulations

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:39, 21 June 2011
Line 24:		Line 24:

	===Legal regulations===		===Legal regulations===
	Frequency use is extremely regulated. Because of this, only certain frequencies can be used for certain purposes. One important thing to remember is that even though low frequencies can penetrate well, there is less bandwidth available (there is only 500 MHz available from 0 - 500 MHz, however from 5 - 10 GHz there is 5 GHz available). For all intensive purposes, we are interested in the ISM and UNII bands - 900 MHz, 2.4 - 2.5 GHz, and 5 - 5.8 GHz.		Frequency use is extremely regulated. Because of this, only certain frequencies can be used for certain purposes. One important thing to remember is that even though low frequencies can penetrate well, there is less bandwidth available (there is only 500 MHz available from 0 - 500 MHz, however from 5 - 10 GHz there is 5 GHz available). For all intensive purposes, we are interested in the ISM and UNII bands - 900 MHz, 2.4 - 2.5 GHz, and 5 - 5.8 GHz. In the near future, 60 GHz and 700 MHz may be available to the public.

	===Range===		===Range===

Jason: /* Protocols */

2011-06-21T07:36:28Z

Protocols

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:36, 21 June 2011
Line 95:		Line 95:

	Bluetooth low energy might be an exception here - there are only 5 states in the state diagram.		Bluetooth low energy might be an exception here - there are only 5 states in the state diagram.

			===Mesh networks===
			It must be noted here that the only thing separating normal wifi or other devices from forming mesh networks is the lack of a protocol (one that is widely implemented anyway). The hardware is cheap and available, it is the mesh protocol. Currently, an IEEE task force is working on a mesh networking standard - 802.11s.

			There are other mesh network protocols in existence such as Zigbee.

	=Network topologies and technologies=		=Network topologies and technologies=

Jason: /* Protocols */

2011-06-21T07:27:50Z

Protocols

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:27, 21 June 2011
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	==Protocols==		==Protocols==
			Wireless protocols can be complicated. Generally, the firmware on a chipset is an extremely highly guarded piece of code. The firmware in combination with the driver implement the wireless protocol. Much of the complexity comes from all the features that wireless protocols contain, including roaming, power save, qos, and edge cases to prevent poor performance. Another factor is that different manufacturers must test their wireless devices with devices of other manufacturers, to make sure they all actually implemented the standard in a compatible way.

			In general, if one wanted to make a completely open source radio design, the hardware portion would probably be pretty easy, but the software portion would be difficult.

			Bluetooth low energy might be an exception here - there are only 5 states in the state diagram.

	=Network topologies and technologies=		=Network topologies and technologies=

Jason: /* Health risks and environmental impacts */

2011-06-21T07:15:45Z

Health risks and environmental impacts

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:15, 21 June 2011
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	=Mesh networks=		=Mesh networks=
	=Security=		=Security=
	=Health risks and environmental ~~impacts~~=		=Health risks and environmental impact=

Jason: /* Security */

2011-06-21T07:04:02Z

Security

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:04, 21 June 2011
Line 96:		Line 96:
	=Mesh networks=		=Mesh networks=
	=Security=		=Security=
			=Health risks and environmental impacts=

Jason: /* Hardware cost */

2011-06-21T06:55:53Z

Hardware cost

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:55, 21 June 2011
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	==Hardware cost==		==Hardware cost==
	RF hardware is expensive. It must be geometrically very accurate, and the materials used must be pristine. Luckily, highly refined silicon manufacturing techniques has dramatically reduced the cost, and made wireless a reality in the home. This applies only to commoditized wireless hardware, such as 802.11, Bluetooth, and cell phones, that implement mass produced RFICs. Specialized RF hardware, such as highly sensitive, high-power, or using uncommon licensed frequencies is still very expensive. Lower frequency hardware is generally cheaper though, such as ham radios or CBs.		RF hardware is expensive. It must be geometrically very accurate, and the materials used must be pristine. Luckily, highly refined silicon manufacturing techniques has dramatically reduced the cost, and made wireless a reality in the home. This applies only to commoditized wireless hardware, such as 802.11, Bluetooth, and cell phones, that implement mass produced RFICs. Specialized RF hardware, such as highly sensitive, high-power, or using uncommon licensed frequencies is still very expensive. Lower frequency hardware is generally cheaper though, such as ham radios or CBs.

			Today, in quantity, 802.11 modules are less than $10, and Bluetooth modules are less than $5. Of course, when integrated into a product, the cost will be higher - additional circuitry, driver software, regulatory and industry certification, and marketing will all add to the cost.

	=Wireless communications technologies=		=Wireless communications technologies=