Wireless technology is the new way of interconnecting advanced and upgraded technologies like the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and a few more. However, the advancement in Wireless technology has invented multiple wireless communication technologies that are essential in their aspects. So, what are the different types of wireless technologies?
Before moving ahead, let’s take a crisp knowledge of Wi-Fi.
The simplest definition of a wireless network is a computer network that makes use of wireless data connections between network nodes.
For wireless communication, all you need is a virtual network that is build through radio waves, making a portable way of communicating with anyone on the globe wherever you go. Low cost, portability, high standards are some of the crucial benefits of wireless technology.
Now, wireless communication technologies are categorized as WLAN, WWAN, WMAN, WPAN, Hybrid, Ad-Hoc networks.
So, let’s get more into it and explore more about these wireless networks.
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN):
It is popularly known as 802.11 technologies that we are currently using in our desktop, computer as well as other handheld gadgets. WLAN delivers the highest data-transfer rate compared to other wireless networks. WLAN provides connectivity with a limited area like airports, universities, hospitals, or any different location. With restricted area, it offers high communication speed, ease of security as well as interpretability with wired technologies for seamless functioning.
Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN):
Wide Area Network is primarily used for extended areas where prominent places are requested for seamless connectivity. For hassle-free connectivity, small networks are interconnected together to make a vast area network. A most notable example of WWAN is a local area network and metropolitan area network which are available in a specific city or state level. WWAN is mostly used to deliver cloud services, headquarters, and other giant network needs. It isn’t available for the interconnection of individual computers. Instead, it connects the LANs for making a Wi-Fi web.
Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN):
WMAN is officially known as IEEE 802.16 that provides broadband services for its wireless metropolitan. In a metropolitan area, WMAN gives you the fastest internet connectivity that can be extended to an entire city or a specific geographic area that can be as wide as 50km. It is more often used in colleges, schools, and many professional organizations. WMAN can provide a speed of 34 MB/s to 155 MB/s.
Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN):
These are short-range network technologies that connect a device with another in a limited area. Bluetooth is the best example of WPAN that can be combined with your desktop or laptop. It has a connectivity area of nearly 30 feet.
Ad-hoc Network: Under the ad-hoc network, a LAN is automatically created as soon as the devices are connected. The interconnected devices can quickly transfer packets to each other through a wireless medium. This network is prominently used for file and data sharing that require direct communication between two devices.
Hybrid Network: As the name suggests, the hybrid network uses more than one type of technology. It is based on peer-to-peer and client-server relationship.