WiFi is a technology that uses radio waves to provide network connectivity.

A WiFi connection is established using a wireless adapter to create hotspots -

areas in the vicinity of a wireless router that are connected to the network and
allow users to access internet services. Once configured, WiFi provides wireless
connectivity to your devices by emitting frequencies between 2.4GHz - 5GHz,
based on the amount of data on the network.

This article will introduce you to the basics of WiFi so that you may have a
better understanding of the worldwide phenomenon that provides you with
your internet access.

What Does WiFi Stand For?

You may be surprised to hear that many people don't actually know
that WiFi is an abbreviated term. Even those who do don't always know what
WiFi stands for. There are a number of theories about what the term means,
but the most widely accepted definition for the term in the tech community
is Wireless Fidelity.

An Introduction to WiFi
Wireless technology has widely spread lately and you can get connected almost
anywhere; at home, at work, in libraries, schools, airports, hotels and even in
some restaurants.

Wireless networking is known as WiFi or 802.11 networking as it covers the

IEEE 802.11 technologies. The major advantage of WiFi is that it is compatible
with almost every operating system, game device, and advanced printer.

How WiFi Works

Like mobile phones, a WiFi network makes use of radio waves to transmit
information across a network. The computer should include a wireless adapter
that will translate data sent into a radio signal. This same signal will be
transmitted, via an antenna, to a decoder known as the router. Once decoded,
the data will be sent to the Internet through a wired Ethernet connection.

As the wireless network works as a two-way traffic, the data received from
the internet will also pass through the router to be coded into a radio signal
that will be received by the computer's wireless adapter.

WiFi Frequencies
A wireless network will transmit at a frequency level of 2.4 GHz or 5GHz to
adapt to the amount of data that is being sent by the user. The 802.11
networking standards will somewhat vary depending mostly on the user's
needs.

The 802.11a will transmit data at a frequency level of 5GHz. The Orthogonal
Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) used enhances reception by dividing
the radio signals into smaller signals before reaching the router. You can
transmit a maximum of 54 megabits of data per second.

The 802.11b will transmit data at a frequency level of 2.4GHz, which is a

relatively slow speed. You can transmit a maximum of 11 megabits of data per
second.

The 802.11g will transmit data at 2.4GHz but can transmit a maximum of
54 megabits of data per second as it also uses an OFDM coding.

The more advanced 802.11n can transmit a maximum of 140 megabits of

data per second and uses a frequency level of 5GHz.

What are Hotspots?

The term hotspot is used to define an area where WiFi access is available. It can
either be through a closed wireless network at home or in public places such as
restaurants or airports.

In order to access hotspots, your computer should include a wireless adapter. If

you are using an advanced laptop model, it will probably include a built-in
wireless transmitter already. If it doesn't, you can purchase a wireless adapter
that will plug into the PCI slot or USB port. Once installed, your system should
automatically detect the WiFi hotspots and request connection. If not, you
should use a software to handle this task for you.

Connect To WiFi Via Modem

To start a connection with a wireless router, you must first ensure that it is
plugged into the internet connection point. Turn on your external modem
before plugging the router into your computer via an Ethernet cable. Then,
switch on your wireless router and open your internet browser.

You will be asked to enter in a router IP address. This IP address will vary,
depending on the service you use. Users using Belkin should
enter http://192.168.0.1.. If you are a Linksys user,
enter http://192.168.1.1. If you're not using either service, enter
code http://192.168.2.1.

Now fill in your router's username and password. Set your SSID (wireless
capability) as active, and then type in the username and password provided by
your ISP and select either WEP or WPAsecurity.

Choose a new passkey to finish the WiFi configuration.

http://ccm.net/faq/298-what-is-wifi-and-how-does-it-work
 A wireless network or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) serves the same purpose as a wired

one to link a group of computers.

A wireless network or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) serves the same purpose as a wired one

to link a group of computers. Because "wireless" doesn't require costly wiring, the main benefit is that it's

generally easier, faster and cheaper to set up.

By comparison, creating a network by pulling wires throughout the walls and ceilings of an office can be

labor-intensive and thus expensive. But even when you have a wired network already in place, a wireless

network can be a cost-effective way to expand or augment it. In fact, there's really no such thing as a

purely wireless network, because most link back to a wired network at some point.

The Basics
Wireless networks operate using radio frequency (RF) technology, a frequency within the

electromagnetic spectrum associated with radio wave propagation. When an RF current is supplied to an

antenna, an electromagnetic field is created that then is able to propagate through space.

The cornerstone of a wireless network is a device known as an access point (AP). The primary job of an
access point is to broadcast a wireless signal that computers can detect and "tune" into. Since wireless

networks are usually connected to wired ones, an access point also often serves as a link to the

resources available on the a wired network, such as an Internet connection.

In order to connect to an access point and join a wireless network, computers must be equipped with

wireless network adapters. These are often built right into the computer, but if not, just about any

computer or notebook can be made wireless-capable through the use of an add-on adapter plugged into

an empty expansion slot, USB port, or in the case of notebooks, a PC Card slot.

Wireless Technology Standards

Because there are multiple technology standards for wireless networking, it pays to do your homework

before buying any equipment. The most common wireless technology standards include the following:
802.11b: The first widely used wireless networking technology, known as 802.11b (more
commonly called Wi-Fi), first debuted almost a decade ago, but is still in use.
802.11g: In 2003, a follow-on version called 802.11g appeared offering greater performance
(that is, speed and range) and remains today's most common wireless networking technology.
802.11n: Another improved standard called 802.11n is currently under development and is
scheduled to be complete in 2009. But even though the 802.11n standard has yet to be finalized, you can
still buy products based on the draft 802.11n standard, which you will be able to upgrade later to the final
standard.

All of the Wi-Fi variants (802.11b, g and n products) use the same 2.4 GHz radio frequency, and as a

result are designed to be compatible with each other, so you can usually use devices based on the

different standards within the same wireless network. The catch is that doing so often requires special

configuration to accommodate the earlier devices, which in turn can reduce the overall performance of

the network. In an ideal scenario you'll want all your wireless devices, the access point and all

wireless-capable computers, to be using the same technology standard and to be from the same vendor
whenever possible.
Wireless Speed & Range
When you buy a piece of wireless network hardware, it will often quote performance figures (i.e., how fast

it can transmit data) based on the type of wireless networking standard it uses, plus any added

technological enhancements. In truth, these performance figures are almost always wildly optimistic.

While the official speeds of 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n networks are 11, 54, and 270 megabits per

second (Mbps) respectively, these figures represent a scenario that.s simply not attainable in the real

world. As a general rule, you should assume that in a best-case scenario you.ll get roughly one-third of

the advertised performance.

It's also worth noting that a wireless network is by definition a shared network, so the more computers

you have connected to a wireless access point the less data each will be able to send and receive. Just

as a wireless network's speed can vary greatly, so too can the range. For example, 802.11b and g

officially work over a distance of up to 328 feet indoors or 1,312 feet outdoors, but the key term there is
"up to". Chances are you won't see anywhere close to those numbers.

As you might expect, the closer you are to an access point, the stronger the signal and the faster the

connection speed. The range and speed you get out of wireless network will also depend on the kind of

environment in which it operates. And that brings us to the subject of interference.

Wireless Interference
Interference is an issue with any form of radio communication, and a wireless network is no exception.

The potential for interference is especially great indoors, where different types of building materials

(concrete, wood, drywall, metal, glass and so on) can absorb or reflect radio waves, affecting the strength

and consistency of a wireless network's signal. Similarly, devices like microwave ovens and some

cordless phones can cause interference because they operate in the same 2.4 frequency range as

802.11b/g/n networks. You can't avoid interference entirely, but in most cases it's not significant enough

to affect the usability of the network. When it does, you can usually minimize the interference by

relocating wireless networking hardware or using specialized antennas.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Minimizing 802.11 Interference Issues on Wi-Fi Planet.

Data Security on Wireless Networks

In the same way that all you need to pick up a local radio station is a radio, all anyone needs to detect a

wireless network within nearby range is a wireless-equipped computer. There's no way to selectively hide

the presence of your network from strangers, but you can prevent unauthorized people from connecting

to it, and you can protect the data traveling across the network from prying eyes. By turning on a wireless

network's encryption feature, you can scramble the data and control access to the network.
Wireless network hardware supports several standard encryption schemes, but the most common are

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), and Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2).

WEP is the oldest and least secure method and should be avoided. WPA and WPA2 are good choices,

but provide better protection when you use longer and more complex passwords (all devices on a

wireless network must use the same kind of encryption and be configured with the same password).

Unless you intend to provide public access to your wireless network and put your business data or

your own personal data at risk you should consider encryption mandatory.

DID YOU KNOW...

ad-hoc mode is an 802.11 networking framework in which devices or stations communicate directly with each

other, without the use of an access point (AP). Ad-hoc mode is also referred to as peer-to-peer mode or an

Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). Ad-hoc mode is useful for establishing a network where wireless

infrastructure does not exist or where services are not required.

http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Computer_Science/wireless_networ
ks_explained.asp

If you've been in an airport, coffee shop, library or hotel recently, chances

are you've been right in the middle of a wireless network. Many people also
use wireless networking, also called WiFi or 802.11 networking, to connect
their computers at home, and some cities are trying to use the technology to
provide free or low-cost Internet access to residents. In the near future,
wireless networking may become so widespread that you can access the
Internet just about anywhere at any time, without using wires.

WiFi has a lot of advantages. Wireless networks are easy to set up and
inexpensive. They're also unobtrusive -- unless you're on the lookout for a
place to watch streaming movies on your tablet, you may not even notice
when you're in a hotspot. In this article, we'll look at the technology that
allows information to travel over the air. We'll also review what it takes to
create a wireless network in your home.

A wireless network uses radio waves, just like cell phones, televisions and
radios do. In fact, communication across a wireless network is a lot like
two-way radio communication. Here's what happens:
1. A computer's wireless adapter translates data into a radio signal and
transmits it using an antenna.
2. A wireless router receives the signal and decodes it. The router sends
the information to the Internet using a physical, wired Ethernet
connection.
The process also works in reverse, with the router receiving information from
the Internet, translating it into a radio signal and sending it to the computer's
wireless adapter.

The radios used for WiFi communication are very similar to the radios used
for walkie-talkies, cell phones and other devices. They can transmit and
receive radio waves, and they can convert 1s and 0s into radio waves and
convert the radio waves back into 1s and 0s. But WiFi radios have a few
notable differences from other radios:

They transmit at frequencies of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. This frequency is

considerably higher than the frequencies used for cell phones,
walkie-talkies and televisions. The higher frequency allows the signal to
carry more data.
They use 802.11 networking standards, which come in several
flavors:
802.11a transmits at 5 GHz and can move up to 54 megabits of data
per second. It also uses orthogonal frequency-division
multiplexing (OFDM), a more efficient coding technique that splits that
radio signal into several sub-signals before they reach a receiver. This
greatly reduces interference.
802.11b is the slowest and least expensive standard. For a while, its
cost made it popular, but now it's becoming less common as faster
standards become less expensive. 802.11b transmits in the 2.4 GHz
frequency band of the radio spectrum. It can handle up to 11 megabits of
data per second, and it uses complementary code keying (CCK)
modulation to improve speeds.
802.11g transmits at 2.4 GHz like 802.11b, but it's a lot faster -- it can
handle up to 54 megabits of data per second. 802.11g is faster because it
uses the same OFDM coding as 802.11a.
 802.11n is the most widely available of the standards and is
backward compatible with a, b and g. It significantly improved speed and
range over its predecessors. For instance, although 802.11g theoretically
moves 54 megabits of data per second, it only achieves real-world
speeds of about 24 megabits of data per second because of network
congestion. 802.11n, however, reportedly can achieve speeds as high as
140 megabits per second. 802.11n can transmit up to four streams of
data, each at a maximum of 150 megabits per second, but most routers
only allow for two or three streams.
802.11ac is the newest standard as of early 2013. It has yet to be
widely adopted, and is still in draft form at the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE), but devices that support it are already on
the market. 802.11ac is backward compatible with 802.11n (and
therefore the others, too), with n on the 2.4 GHz band and ac on the 5
GHz band. It is less prone to interference and far faster than its
predecessors, pushing a maximum of 450 megabits per second on a
single stream, although real-world speeds may be lower. Like 802.11n, it
allows for transmission on multiple spatial streams -- up to eight,
optionally. It is sometimes called 5G WiFi because of its frequency band,
sometimes Gigabit WiFi because of its potential to exceed a gigabit per
second on multiple streams and sometimes Very High Throughput
(VHT) for the same reason.
Other 802.11 standards focus on specific applications of wireless
networks, like wide area networks (WANs) inside vehicles or technology
that lets you move from one wireless network to another seamlessly.
WiFi radios can transmit on any of three frequency bands. Or, they
can "frequency hop" rapidly between the different bands. Frequency
hopping helps reduce interference and lets multiple devices use the
same wireless connection simultaneously.
As long as they all have wireless adapters, several devices can use one
router to connect to the Internet. This connection is convenient, virtually
invisible and fairly reliable; however, if the router fails or if too many people
try to use high-bandwidth applications at the same time, users can
experience interference or lose their connections. Although newer, faster
standards like 802.11ac could help with that.
The ESP8266 WiFi Module is a self contained SOC with integrated TCP/IP
protocol stack that can give any microcontroller access to your WiFi network.
The ESP8266 is capable of either hosting an application or offloading all Wi-Fi
networking functions from another application processor. Each ESP8266
module comes pre-programmed with an AT command set firmware, meaning,
you can simply hook this up to your Arduino device and get about as much
WiFi-ability as a WiFi Shield offers (and thats just out of the box)! The
ESP8266 module is an extremely cost effective board with a huge, and ever
growing, community.

This module has a powerful enough on-board processing and storage capability
that allows it to be integrated with the sensors and other application specific
devices through its GPIOs with minimal development up-front and minimal
loading during runtime. Its high degree of on-chip integration allows for
minimal external circuitry, including the front-end module, is designed to
occupy minimal PCB area. The ESP8266 supports APSD for VoIP applications
and Bluetooth co-existance interfaces, it contains a self-calibrated RF allowing
it to work under all operating conditions, and requires no external RF parts.

There is an almost limitless fountain of information available for the ESP8266,

all of which has been provided by amazing community support. In
the Documents section below you will find many resources to aid you in using
the ESP8266, even instructions on how to transforming this module into an
IoT (Internet of Things) solution!

Note: The ESP8266 Module is not capable of 5-3V logic shifting and will
require an external Logic Level Converter. Please do not power it directly from
your 5V dev board.

Note: This new version of the ESP8266 WiFi Module has increased the flash
disk size from 512k to 1MB.
When asking how wifi works, it is important to have a basic
knowledge of the history of wireless networks, because not
everything was always neatly inside of an integrated circuit.

We need to take a step back before the creation of the IC which will
enable us to talk about the fundamental components of a WiFi
transceiver, so can you have an understanding of how the process
works.

When discussing how does wifi work, its crucial to point out that wifi
technology itself is a collaboration between several types of
technologies both hardware and software that allow data to be
transmit from one device, through the air to another.

Were going to be covering each component of how wifi works.

Well talk about hardware to software, and explain how WiFi devices
can communicate with one another at great distances without ever
taking a single step.

How Does WiFi Work

Getting started:
The basic components that make Wi-Fi work is a hardware
component called a wireless transceiver module, the software
portion known as the wifi driver, and making use of the
electromagnetic spectrum.

To better understand how does wifi work we separated each element

of the process into individual responsibilities, so you can visualize how
each part plays its role in the communication process.

Well start with the WiFi module discussing its inner mechanisms
that make up the physical part of how wifi works, then well cover
how the wifi driver controls those instruments which allow the
connection with another wireless enabled device through the air.

The transceiver:

Every wireless device has an RF transceiver that manages the

sending and receiving of the wireless signals that are being
transmitted from a wireless device, and is the business end of the
Wi-Fi module.

The transceiver itself is composed of several integrated components;

hence the term Integrated Circuit. Its this IC that gets soldered onto
printed circuit boards, enclosed into a marketable form factor and
distributed to retail stores in the shape of Wireless Network
Adapters.
These wireless modules include the RF transmitter and receiver
among other built-in features to provide a wide range of
functionality, and transceivers for WiFi networks are designed to
transmit on the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency band using 20 or 40Mhz
wide channels depending on the wireless standard being used.

Wireless signals are generated from the modulator component of the

transceiver, which modulates the binary data stream into a
2.4/5GHz frequency and sent out of the IC onto the PC board to a
connected antenna, and makes up the physical part of how does wifi
work.

The WiFi driver:

The wifi software portion of how wifi works is contained in the

network driver thats either installed on or provided with the
wireless enabled device at the time of purchase.

A WiFi driver can change the mode of operation of the transceiver

module normally through the use of a graphical user interface on the
wireless enabled product.

The device settings or manager applet provides the user with an

interface to control the hardware features; such as transmit power
for wifi signal strength, wireless modes between 802.11g and
802.11n operation, frequency band width, and more.
After seeing both the hardware and wifi software aspects, it might
be hard to imagine that the electromagnetic spectrum could have
any effect on how does wifi work, but it too plays an important role
in how data performs on its journey from one device to another.

Radio Frequency spectrum:

The RF spectrum for wireless communications pertaining to IEEE

802.11 compliant devices operate on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz
frequency bands, and each of these bands has its own unique
behavior which has a direct impact on network performance.

How does wifi work on the radio frequency spectrum depends on

which frequency youre operating on, so were going to shed some
light on how data travels on these frequencies and hopefully make a
difference in the way you setup your wireless home network.

Wireless signals traveling in the range of 2.412GHz and 2.484GHz

have a larger wavelength, which has an easier time passing through
dense and solid objects like walls enabling the signals to travel to
farther distances, however because the sign wave is larger it is also
the reason why data transfers at a slower rate.

How wifi works with a 5GHz signal on the other hand is different
due to the wavelength being short which allows more data to be
crunched into a short area of space producing higher speeds,
however as signals are broken up as they pass through solid objects
poor signals are collected on the other side which creates more
packet resends and can reduce network performance.

Well, there you have it! We hope you have a stronger understanding
of how does wifi work with hardware, software and the radio
frequency spectrum in tandem.