Fundamentals of

Wireless Networks
Mohit P. Tahiliani
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering,
NITK Surathkal
Overview
Most wireless technologies operate on
common principles, have common trade-offs,
and are subject to common performance
criteria and constraints. -- Ilya Grigorik

➔ Types of wireless networks

Wireless PAN, Wireless LAN, Wireless
MAN, Wireless WAN.

➔ Performance fundamentals
Shannon’s capacity model

➔ Fundamental constraints
Available bandwidth, Signal power and
Modulation

Credits: Chapter 5 (https://hpbn.co/)

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Types of wireless networks
Wireless PAN Wireless LAN Wireless MAN Wireless WAN
Standards: Standards: Standards: Standards:

- Bluetooth - IEEE 802.11 - IEEE 802.15 - Cellular (LTE,

- Zigbee (Wi-Fi) (WiMAX) 5G)
- NFC

All wireless networks have different use-cases

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Quick recap!
● Guided vs Unguided media
● Line of Sight (LoS) vs Non-Line of sight (NLoS)
● Wireless transmissions
○ Radio waves
○ Microwaves
○ Infrared

Credits: Data Communications and Networking 4

Shannon’s capacity model

Note
Shannon’s model
determines the highest
theoretical data rate for
a noisy channel.
Nyquist’s model
determines the highest
theoretical data rate for
noiseless channel.

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Fundamental constraints
Bandwidth
- Data rate is directly
proportional to the
frequency range
- What is ‘frequency
range’?
- What is ISM band?

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Frequency range

Credits: Data Communications and Networking 7

ISM band

Credits: Google Images 8

Fundamental constraints
Bandwidth Signal Power
- Data rate is directly - Interference reduces
proportional to the the SNR
frequency range - What is Near-far
- What is ‘frequency problem?
range’? - What is Cell
- What is ISM band? breathing?

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Near-far problem

Take away
A stronger signal crowds
out a weaker signal

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Cell breathing problem

Take away
The coverage area or
the distance traveled by
a signal expands and
shrinks.

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Fundamental constraints
Bandwidth Signal Power Modulation
- Data rate is directly - Interference reduces - Digital to Analog
proportional to the the SNR conversion
frequency range - What is Near-far - Choice of the
- What is ‘frequency problem? modulation algorithm
range’? - What is Cell is extremely important
- What is ISM band? breathing?

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