Wireless technology associated standards and protocols are everywhere from desktop to

mountain top and every scale in between to satisfy the range of application.
Wireless technology is one of the most useful technology that has developed over subsequent
years. It is one of the most important medium of transmission of information from one device to
another. This technology does not require wires, cables or any other electronic conductors for
transmission, rather it uses RF, IR, satellite etc. for communication. The transmission distance
can be anywhere between few meters like TV Remote to thousands of kilometers like radio
communication. As it does not require physical medium, it is easy for installation and use. So
different types of standards of wireless technology has various ranges of application in real
world. Here are some of them:
1. WPAN (wireless personal area networks) => Bluetooth =>
IEEE 802.15 desktop = Bluetooth/PAN

A WPAN (wireless personal area network) is a personal area network - a network for
interconnecting devices centered on an individual person's workspace - in which the
connections are wireless. Typically, a wireless personal area network is the very short range
wireless technology that uses low power unlicensed RF band (i.e. 2.4 GHz) that permits
communication within about 10 meters. One such technology is Bluetooth, which was used as
the basis for a new standard, IEEE 802.15.
A WPAN could serve to interconnect whole range of ordinary computing and communicating
devices that many people have on their desk or carry with them today - or it could serve a more
specialized purpose such as allowing the surgeon and other team members to communicate
during an operation.
It uses Piconet concept, so maximum of 8 WPAN-equipped devices can connect and
communicate at once until they are within the range of master device/server. Likewise 10
Piconet can coexist in the same coverage range bridged together creating an Ad-Hoc Network.

The major objective is to facilitate various operation among home or business devices and
systems. Like using network as
data and voice access point,
transferring if files and other contents without wired links,
linking pc and other devices with printer to print and speakers to stream audio wirelessly,
Remotely accessing the control of other devices like switching on and off. Etc.

2. WLAN (wireless local area network) => Wi-Fi => IEEE 802.11

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a wireless computer network that links two or more
devices using a wireless distribution method (often spread-spectrum or OFDM radio) within
a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building. Modern WLANs
are based on IEEE 802.11 standards that uses the Ethernet Protocol and CSMA/CA for path
sharing, and is marketed under the Wi-Fi brand name. Actual range of Wi-Fi depends on the
strength of particular AP and specific 802.11 protocols used (802.11 a/b/g/n) along with
surrounding. It comprises of AP and host where AP acts as base station and hosts are all sorts
of wireless devices that interacts with AP wirelessly.

It gives users the ability to move around within a local coverage area and still be connected to
the network and internet. It is majorly used for
sharing internet access
Transmitting voice over the WLANs.
Increase flexibility of the network giving ability of re locating the printers and other workstations.
Managing manufacturing and inventory like tracking and updating the configuration in real time
being within the network.
3. WMAN (wireless metropolitan area networks) => WiMAX =>

IEEE 802.16
WMAN (Wireless Metropolitan Area Networking) allows broadband communication between two
or more fixed or mobile hosts using just one access point, within a radius up to 40 km. The most
well-known wireless networking technology is WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave
Access) created by WiMAX Forum. This wireless network is also known as IEEE
802.16 standard which defines the technology.
WMAN consists of a single powerful Base Station/Access Point and other hosts that uses
licensed RF Spectrum with the flexible range of 2 GHz-11GHz to connect to AP. And it has very
high bandwidth and long range. So the technology is commonly used to provide internet to rural
areas in which installing other types of technology becomes comparatively too expensive.
Installed in the cities, WiMAX will allow people to connect to the internet whenever they want
without looking for hotspots. This will transform the user internet mobile lifestyle.

4. Microwave links

Microwave signals are of higher frequency than radio signals (i.e. 0.1 -100 GHz). It propagate in
straight lines which are focused and directed. Microwave beams do not readily diffract around
barriers such as hills, mountains, and large human-made structures which may result in
some attenuation unlike Radio-frequency (RF) energy at longer wavelengths is least affected by
such obstacles.
It is widely used for long distance transmission but needs careful alignment to get good signals.
So as a solution higher towers and repeaters are used to maintain a line of sight. Which
eventually makes it cheaper than lying cables mostly in urban areas.
The microwave band is well suited for wireless transmission of signals having large bandwidth.
In communications, a large allowable bandwidth translates into high data speed. The short
wavelengths allow the use of dish antennas having manageable diameters. These antennas
produce high power gain in transmitting applications, and have excellent sensitivity and
directional characteristics for reception of signals.

Satellite links %u2013 LEO, MEO and GEO

Satellite is the technology that detects, amplify and retransmits signals via its transponders. It creates
communication channel between source transmitters to receiver at different locations of earth via
electromagnetic waves carrying those signals. I too requires line of sight to detect footprints if earth
surface. And needs ground antennas to track them.
It is classified into three parts with respect to altitude. GEO, MEO and LEO.

GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit)

It is positioned on the 35000 KM above the earth. Its footprint covers 1/3 of earth surface so only
require 3 of them to cover whole planet. It uses single beam for large broadcast and spot beams for
targeted works.
MEO (Medium Earth Orbit)
It is positioned on the 15000 KM above the earth. It has smaller footprint so needs several of those
for whole coverage. It must be tracked and coordinated from ground. Though it needs less power to
reach. Example: GPS Navigation work
LEO (Lower Earth Orbit)
It is on the lower altitude just below Van Allen belt up to about 5000 KM. it needs lot of them to cover
whole Earth as it has small footprints. And every one of it needs ground tracking and coordination. It
requires low power so no signal delay is experienced.