wireless (idea)

Wireless, meaning (obviously enough) without wires, usually refers to a method of communication that does not involve a cable-based link. Wireless transmissions are usually either narrow-beam or broadcast, depending on the level of security and complexity desired. Wireless communication usually works via waves, either sound (technically, talking to someone is wireless communication), or electromagnetic (e.g. infrared, radio waves, microwave communication, laser communication).

Most wireless systems involve a modulation scheme being used to transform an input signal into something that suits the waves being used. While modulation is also used in cable-based networks, in a wireless communication it is often vital, as the innate waveforms within a signal often have a very low frequency by comparison to the ideal carrier wave.

Electromagnetic wireless systems, while often referred to as being transmitted over the air, do not require the presence of air.

Nodes talking about wireless communication

• Communications Terms:
  • amplitude modulation/am - Types include DSB-SC, Standard AM, single sideband, and QAM (Stereo AM).
  • antenna -- Used for radio waves and microwaves, there are many types of antenna.
  • bandwidth -- Or, how much 'space' does your signal take up?
  • CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access
  • decibel/dB -- Ratio of two amounts of power
  • electromagnetic spectrum
  • FDMA - Frequency Division Multiple Access
  • frequency modulation/fm
  • microwave spectrum
  • oscillator - Oscillators are used in most modulation schemes.
  • PAL - The European (Western, and without France) Television Modulation Standard.
  • PCM - Pulse code modulation, how many analog signals are translated to digital)
  • pulse width modulation
  • radio spectrum
  • NTSC - The US & Japanese Television Modulation Standard
  • SECAM - The French and former Soviet country Television modulation standard.
  • signal to noise ratio
  • TDMA - Time Division Multiple Access
  • YUV/Y(R-Y)(B-Y) - How color is encoded in TV signals.
• Types of communication:
  • amateur radio/Ham/ARRL -- People who work to be licensed so they can do nifty things with radio.
  • CB Radio/citizens band/CB -- Easy, cheap voice communications
  • cellular phone/cell phone/cellphone/cell-phone/GSM -- Wireless telephones.
  • television/satellite TV
  • wireless internet
  • wireless telegraphy