Modulation Technology for Wireless Networking
Robert J. Bartz · 2017
This chapter discusses various techniques and methods used to get digital computer data from one device to another using spread-spectrum and other Physical layer modulation technologies. The chapter also discusses co-location of different technologies used in various amendments to the standard as well as interference from wireless LANs (WLANs) and other sources, including WPANs. Network access methods enable devices connected to a common infrastructure to communicate and transmit data across a network medium from one device to another. The newest IEEE standards-based technology, 802.11ac, uses MIMO technology and has a potential maximum signaling rate of up to 6933.3 Mbps. Narrowband and spread-spectrum are two examples of how devices can communicate using RF. One example of narrowband communication is an FM radio station. FM radio stations use licensed frequency ranges that are tuned to a specific RF in the FM band. A radio station can transmit a signal at a high power of tens of thousands of watts in a very narrow frequency. Frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) is used in a variety of devices in computer technology and communications. FHSS was used by many early adopters of wireless networking, including computers, barcode scanners, and other handheld or portable devices.