Technologies and protocols enabling wireless communication between devices without physical cables.
Wireless networks use radio waves, infrared, or satellite signals to transmit data, eliminating the need for wired connections. Common types include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular (4G/5G), and IoT networks.
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 standards) is the most widely used wireless LAN technology, offering varying speeds and ranges (e.g., 802.11ac for high-speed, 802.11ax/Wi-Fi 6 for efficiency in crowded areas).
Cellular networks (e.g., 5G) provide wide-area coverage with high bandwidth and low latency, enabling mobile internet and IoT applications.
Security is critical in wireless networks due to vulnerabilities like eavesdropping. Protocols like WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) and encryption (AES) mitigate risks.
Challenges include interference, signal attenuation, and spectrum allocation. Emerging technologies like mesh networks and Li-Fi (light-based communication) aim to address these issues.