Hi. I just posted this overview of wireless technologies on TheWirelessWeblog at Weblogs Inc. It is a list of wireless data terminology and the meanings to get a basic understanding of the terms. Take a look and post your comments!
-Mike http://wireless.weblogsinc.com/entry/4732841284116141/ Know Your Wireless Posted Oct 13, 2004, 2:00 PM ET by Mike Outmesguine The topic of wireless is permeating technology news. We cover a lot of it here at Weblogs Inc. So, in an effort to keep our readers updated on all the names, acronyms, numbers, and brands, here is an overview of wireless technology in layreader terms. Data Technologies: Wi-Fi - Wireless Fidelity, Protocol designed to allow data communications over radio waves. Comprised of the IEEE standards 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a. Used most often to allow laptops with wireless adapters to connect to the Internet. Highly compatible with TCP/IP so it works well with applications like Voice over IP (VOIP). WiMax - Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, One of several emerging standards for long-distance wireless data communications. Could displace Wi-Fi as the preferred last-mile solution for WISPs and other Internet carriers. Probably will co-exist with Wi-Fi in WLAN and Hotspot deployments. Speeds as high as 70 Mbps, and out-of-the-box distance of 30 miles. Keep this one on your technology watch list. Bluetooth - Wireless protocol for short-distance voice and data transmissions. Meant to be a cable replacement for devices within 30 feet of eachother. Currently used mostly in cellular telephones to connect headsets and allow wireless synchronizing. UWB - Ultra Wide Band, A technology for modulating radio frequency signals across a wide peice of the spectrum in short bursts. Formerly a military technology, it promises to allow for higher throughput (up to 1 gigabit per second) with less interference and further distance than other short-range technologies. ZigBee - A short-range wireless technology that promises to be cheap (about six dollars per radio) while supporting speeds of 20 kbps or higher. Shows good promise for deployment in wireless sensors, home automation, telemtry, and other dynamic, but low-bandwidth applications. RFID - Radio Frequency Identification, Small wireless "tags" that can contain a small amount of information to be "read" by wireless RFID scanning equipment. Tags usually store static data like a serial number that gets assigned in a database not unlike a barcode. Tags may also allow writing, reading, and re-writing of data stored in the RFID chip. Range is usually limited to 30 feet with very low bandwidth. Small RFID tags do not generally require internal power to operate. The low cost, small size, and easily read data stored in the tag make them ideal as a replacement for barcodes and other serialized materials tracking methods. Standards (IEEE): 802.11 - Several IEEE standards, most of which pertain to Wi-Fi. Followed by a letter to describe exact standard. Often referred to with the three letters "b/a/g" meaning any one or all of the standards. 802.11a - Wi-Fi, 5.0 GHz, 54 Mbps, wireless protocol, only works with other 802.11a devices 802.11b - Wi-Fi, 2.4 GHz, 11 Mbps, wireless protocol, works with 802.11b compatible devices 802.11g - Wi-Fi, 2.4 GHz, 54 Mbps, wireless protocol, works with 802.11g and backwards compatible (slower) with 802.11b devices 802.16(something) - WiMax, the (something) letters are still being ratified (stay tuned) 802.20 - Emerging standard, would allow for 1 Mbps or higher while travelling at a speed of 155 mph or less. May end up being compatible with WiMax. Security: WEP - Wired Equivalent Privacy, Method of encryption using two shared sets of numbers. Easiest to set up is also the weakest encryption for wireless. Akin to "locking the front door". Good for home users, businesses should use something stronger. WPA - Wi-Fi Protected Access, An encryption method that is stronger than WEP and is available on most newer wireless devices. 802.1x - IEEE standard defining a server for authentication of users in a wireless LAN, works with WPA. Radius - Database protocol, used for storing usernames and passwords in a secure network. Encryption - Method of scrambling data so it cannot be understood without decryption of the traffic. Wireless networks use encryption/decryption to scramble and unscramble data in a known procedure with a common encryption key. Others that intercept encrypted traffic would either need the decryption key or break the encryption in some manner to read the underlying data. Cellular: CDMA2000 - (R) Qualcomm, Branded name for several 3G and 2.5G cellular technologies for increased bandwidth over the cellular network. Includes CDMA2000 1x, 1xRTT, 1xEV (1xEV-DO & 1xEV-DV) GPRS - General Packet Radio Service, Mobile data technology supporting a real-world bandwidth of up to 70 kbps. Operates on GSM and TDMA networks. GSM / TDMA / CDMA - Mobile radio technologies for cellular carrier networks. Usually considered 2.5G technologies that support add-on data services like CDMA2000 and GPRS. EDGE - Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution, Add-on technology riding on top of GPRS. Compatible with TDMA and GSM networks. Provides speeds up to 400 kbps. 2.5G - Generic term for cellular technology that is in between Second and Third generation networks. Most US-based carriers are currently operating 2.5G service. Sometimes used synonymously with 3G. 3G - Generic term for Third generation cellular technology. 3G devices aim to support speeds of up to 500 kbps. 3G and 2.5G are often used interchangably as the underlying technology on a cellular carrier is sometimes hard to define in a non-technical environment. 4G - Generic term for Fourth generation cellular technology. 4G would potentially support speeds above 10 Mbps. 4G as terminology is mostly used as a conversation point and useful as a target on the cellular roadmap. Words, Brands, Acronyms: IEEE - International standards body that defines technology protocols (like 802.11b, etc.) Licensed - Frequencies on the spectrum that require FCC approval to use. Generally requires high cost to acquire spectrum and pay license fees. Advantage is little interference for license-holder. Cellular phones use Licensed spectrum. Requires approval before operating any equipment on a licensed frequency. Unlicensed - Frequencies on the spectrum that do not require governmental approval to use. Hardware must still be FCC certified but costs remain low. Wi-Fi and others use unlicensed spectrum so you don't need approval before turning on a Wi-Fi network. Spectrum - Usually means several radio frequencies in a certain frequency range. Also means the entire electromagnetic range of frequencies including radio waves, visible light, xrays, etc. Hotspot - Location that offers Wi-Fi connection for-pay or for-free Intel Mobile Centrino - Brand of computer products that support high mobility and Wi-Fi connections Internet - Network of computers that can be contacted through a Wi-Fi Hotspot, LAN, DSL line, T1, or other Internet connection LAN - Local Area Network, Ususally exists under one IT department (office LAN) or household (2 or more PCs) WLAN - Wireless LAN, LAN that has a wireless component WAN - Wide Area Network, Network that traverses more than one building or worldwide usually under control of one IT department or company MAN - Metropolitan Area Network, city-wide network, beginning to apply to wireless and wired networks PAN - Personal Area Network, short-distance network of personal electronic devices. Including any device that needs to connect to another device on or about your person. PDA's, cellphones, headphones, meida players, digital cameras, VOIP phones, etc. would be part of your PAN and would eventually talk to one another via a PAN. CAN - Campus Area Network, Network that covers college or business park Suggestions? Please enter them below in the comments. We will be updating the list on a regular basis.
