Introduction
Wireless transmission is a form of unguided media. Wireless communication involves no physical link established
between two or more devices, communicating wirelessly. Wireless signals are spread over in the air and are received
and interpret by appropriate antennas.
When an antenna is attached to electrical circuit of a computer or wireless device, it converts the digital data into
wireless signals and spread all over within its frequency range. The receptor on the other end receives these signals
and converts them back to digital data.
A little part of electromagnetic spectrum can be used for wireless transmission.
[Image:
Electromagnetic Spectrum]
Radio Transmission
Radio frequency is easier to generate and because of its large wavelength it can penetrate through walls and alike
structures. Radio waves can have wavelength from 1 mm – 100,000 km and have frequency ranging from 3 Hz
(Extremely Low Frequency) to 300 GHz (Extremely High Frequency). Radio frequencies are sub-divided into six
bands.
Radio waves at lower frequencies can travel through walls whereas higher RF travel in straight line and bounces
back. The power of low frequency waves decreases sharply as it covers longer distance. High frequency radio waves
have more power.
Lower frequencies like (VLF, LF, MF bands) can travel on the ground up to 1000 kilometers, over the earth’s surface.
[Image: Radio wave - grounded]
Radio waves on high frequencies are prone to be absorbed by rain and other obstacles. They use Ionosphere of
earth atmosphere. High frequency radio waves such as HF and VHF bands are spread upwards. When it reaches
Ionosphere it is refracted back to the earth.
[Image: Radio wave - Ionosphere]
Microwave Transmission
Electromagnetic waves above 100 MHz tend to travel in a straight line and signals over them can be sent by beaming
those waves towards one particular station. Because Microwaves travels in straight lines, both sender and receiver
must be aligned to be strictly in line-of-sight.
Microwaves can have wavelength ranging from 1 mm – 1 meter and frequency ranging from 300 MHz to 300 GHz.
[Image: Microwave Transmission]
Microwave antennas concentrate the waves making a beam of it. As shown in picture above multiple antennas can
be aligned to reach farther. Microwaves are higher frequencies and do not penetrate wall like obstacles.
Microwaves transmission depends highly upon the weather conditions and the frequency it is using.
Infrared Transmission
Infrared waves lie in between visible light spectrum and microwaves. It has wavelength of 700 nm to 1 mm and
frequency ranges from 300 GHz to 430 THz.
Infrared waves are used for very short range communication purposes such as television and it’s remote. Infrared
travels in a straight line so they are directional by nature. Because of high frequency range, Infrared do not cross wall
like obstacles.