Types of Wireless Communication and their Applications
Communication is one of the most basic human needs. And that is why there has been a lot of development throughout the history of communication media. The term “wireless communication” was first coined in the 19th century, and since then, there has been a lot of progress in the sector. This type of communication happens through the air without needing any physical media, with the help of electromagnetic waves like IR and FR. Today, there are a variety of wireless technologies and communication devices ranging from smartphones to laptops, computers, GPS, Bluetooth, and other gadgets and technologies we rely on every day. Read on to learn more about them.
Different Types of Wireless Communication
- Radio and TV Broadcasting
- Cellular Communication
- Global Positioning System (GPS)
- WLAN
- Bluetooth
- ZigBee
- Paging
- Cordless Phones
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Radio and TV Broadcasting
Radio is considered to be the first wireless technology to be broadcast. While the telegraph was invented earlier than the radio, the term wireless communication was first used for later technology. TV and Radio broadcasting is an example of a Simplex Communication System, in which the data is transmitted unidirectionally, and all the receivers have access to the same information.
Cellular Communication
One of the most widely used wireless technology is cellular communication, the one used by mobile phones. This duplex communication allows users to both transmit and receive information and is used in cellular and cordless phones. Cellular communication has made the lives of millions of people much easier and more efficient. Speaking of, if you are looking for a reliable phone service to help you communicate seamlessly, check out Windstream’s services. You can contact Windstream number to get a better idea about their incredible services.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
GPS is a type of satellite communication that uses the transmission offered via satellites in space to provide services like navigation, speed, location, and more. We rely on this wireless communication technology for transportation, traffic control, and planning our daily commutes. All we need is a connection to the internet and we can get directions to anywhere we want to go within the town or outside.
WLAN
Wireless Local Area Network, or WLAN, is an internet technology that allows multiple computers, usually within a single building like an office or home to connect to the internet. This allows the users within the building to move around while maintaining their device’s internet connectivity.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows devices within a limited range to connect and share data. It allows the sharing of the hotspot, cellular data, files, and other media without necessarily needing an internet connection. The Bluetooth feature is available in almost every wireless device ranging from our mobile phones to wireless headsets and speakers.
ZigBee
ZigBee is a wireless technology based on IEEE 802.15.4 standards and is developed for low-cost, low-power wireless M2Ms and IoT devices and networks. This open standard is dedicated to low-power applications and in contrast to Wi-Fi networks, it connects end-points to high-speed networks. This wireless technology supports much lower data rates of 250 kbps and applies a mesh networking protocol to create a self-healing architecture. The ZigBee technology is best suited for intermediate as well as period duplex transmission of data between controllers and sensors.
Paging
Before the widespread availability and use of mobile phones, pagers were quite popular. In this simplex system, information is provided to the audience in the form of text messages and voice messages. It allows one-way communication users can only receive information. Messages are transmitted through the paging system’s service area via the base station, which broadcast the page on a radio link.
A common example of a paging system is the instant communication between different employees of a retail store. There are also two-way pagers, also known as response pagers which can also acknowledge and originate messages with the aid of an internal transmitter.
Radio Frequency Identification
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a wireless communication technology that uses electromagnetic fields to automatically detect tags attached to objects. A typical RFID system comprises a radio transponder, a transmitter, and a receiver. Generally, in an RFID system, an IC tag is used to identify various items. While the technology is similar to the barcodes commonly used for items at a store, the tags in an RFIP do not need to be within the line of sight of the reader.
A good example of the use of Radio Frequency Identification technology can be seen at Amazon Go, where you can check out without needing to go to a cashier. You just walk through the RF zone, and the reader receives the data from the tag.
Conclusion
Communication is a vital human need. The tech behind communication is rapidly developing, with most of it becoming wireless. Above mentioned are the common types of wireless communication technologies used today for different applications.
