Outline

▪ Evolution of wireless communication

▪ Applications of wireless communication

▪ Types of wireless communication

▪ Basic propagation mechanism

Early Foundations

James Clerk Maxwell's Equations (1864):

Maxwell's equations laid the theoretical groundwork for understanding electromagnetic

waves.

Heinrich Hertz's Experiments (1887):

Hertz's experiments successfully demonstrated the existence of electromagnetic waves,

confirming Maxwell's predictions.
Radio and Television Communications:
•Marconi's experiments proved that electromagnetic waves could be transmitted beyond
line-of-sight, contrary to the prevailing belief at the time.
•Marconi's successful experiments paved the way for wireless telegraphy, also known as
radio communications.
•In 1901, Marconi transmitted a signal across the Atlantic Ocean, demonstrating the
potential for long-distance radio communication.
•The ionosphere, discovered by Edward Appleton in 1924, was crucial in reflecting radio
signals and enabling long-distance communication.
•Marconi's work eventually led to the invention of radar through distance-based search
experiments.
Radar Communications:
•Radar, which stands for Radio Detection and Ranging, the first practical radar system
was created by Robert Watson-Watt in 1935.
•By 1939, England had established a network of radar stations along its coasts for
detecting aerial and naval threats.
•Radar has diverse applications beyond aviation and maritime domains, including
weather forecasting, archaeology, highway safety, and astronomy.
Satellite Communications:
The idea of communication satellites was first envisioned by science fiction author
Arthur C. Clarke in 1945.
The Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957, marking the
beginning of the space age.
In 1964, the international organization Intelsat was formed to launch satellites for global
communication coverage.
Cellular Communication

1G - First Generation
•1983: Introduction of 1G cellular systems.
•Data Speeds: ~2.4 Kbps
•Pioneer Device: Motorola DynaTAC 8000X (1983)

2G - Second Generation
•1991: Emergence of 2G technology.
•1992: Introduction of GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications).
•Data Speeds: ~9.6 Kbps
3G - Third Generation
•2001: Leap to 3G technology.
•Standards: UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and
CDMA2000.
•Data Speeds: ~384 Kbps - 2 Mbps

4G - Fourth Generation
•2009: Advancements to 4G networks.
•Introduction of LTE (Long-Term Evolution).
•Data Speeds: Up to 100 Mbps
5G - Fifth Generation
•2019: Entry into the 5G era.
•Unprecedented Data Speeds: Up to 10 Gbps
•Features: Ultra-low latency, massive device connectivity.

Beyond 5G and 6G
•Ongoing Research and Possibilities.
•Concepts: Terahertz frequencies, AI integration, higher data rates.
Applications of Wireless Communication

1.Mobile and Cellular Communication

2.Internet of Things (IoT)
3.Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs)
4.Bluetooth
5.Satellite Communication
6.Wireless Sensor Networks
7.Vehicular Communication
8.Healthcare
9.Retail and Marketing
10.Emergency Services and Public Safety
11.Agriculture
12.Entertainment and Gaming
13.Military and Defense
14.Energy Management
15.Environmental Monitoring
Types of Wireless Communication
1.Radio Frequency (RF) Communication:
a) Radio Broadcasting: AM (Amplitude Modulation) and FM (Frequency Modulation) radio
broadcasting for transmitting audio signals over long distances.
b) Television Broadcasting: Transmitting television signals using analog or digital modulation.
c) Two-Way Radio: Communication between devices like walkie-talkies or two-way radios.
2.Cellular Communication:
2G, 3G, 4G, 5G: Generations of cellular networks that enable voice and data communication over
increasingly higher speeds and capacities.
3.Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity):
Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs): Provides short-range high-speed internet connectivity in
homes, offices, and public spaces.
4.Bluetooth:
1. Short-Range Connectivity: Connects devices like smartphones, headphones, speakers, and
peripherals over relatively short distances.
5. Infrared (IR) Communication:
a. Infrared Data Association (IrDA): Used for short-range communication between devices like TV
remotes, printers, and laptops.
6. Satellite Communication:
a. Geostationary Satellites: Used for broadcasting, telecommunication, and global positioning.
b. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites: Used for internet services in remote areas and global
communication networks.
7. NFC (Near Field Communication):
a. Short-Range Contactless Communication: Used for payment systems, access control, and data
exchange between devices like smartphones and NFC tags.
8. RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification):
a. Identification and Tracking: Used in supply chain management, access control, and asset tracking.
9. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs):
a. Sensors and Data Transmission: Used in various applications such as environmental monitoring,
industrial automation, and healthcare.
10. Vehicular Communication:
1. Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I): Enables communication
between vehicles and roadside infrastructure for enhanced safety and traffic management.
11. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS):
1. GPS (Global Positioning System): Provides accurate positioning and navigation information
for various applications.
12. Free Space Optical Communication (FSO):
1. Optical Data Transmission: Uses light beams to transmit data through the atmosphere, often
in line-of-sight applications.
13. Zigbee and Other Low-Power, Short-Range Communication Protocols:
1. IoT Connectivity: Used for connecting low-power devices in home automation, industrial
monitoring, and other applications.
Basic Propagation Mechanism

Reflection: Reflection occurs when incident electromagnetic waves are partially reflected
when they impinge on obstructions of different electrical properties. A propagating
electromagnetic wave impinges on objects the sizes of which are large compared to its
wavelength, such as the surface of the earth, buildings, walls, etc.

Diffraction: Diffraction is referred to the change in wave pattern caused by interference

between waves that have been reflected from a surface or a point. Diffraction occurs when
the radio path between a transmitter and receiver is obstructed by a surface with sharp
irregularities.

Scattering: Scattering is a special case of reflection caused by irregular objects such as

walls with rough surfaces, vehicles, foliage, traffic signs, lamp posts, and results in many
different angles of reflection and scatter waves in all directions in the form of spherical
waves.
• A wireless communication transmitter transmits a signal at 900 MHz A receiver located at a
distance of 1 km away from transmitter receives two signals — one directly as a line-of-
sight signal and another indirectly via reflection from a building (having a height more than
10 meters).
• Give reason(s) to justify that the reflected signal causes delay in the reception. Calculate
the amount of delay in the reflected signal with respect to the direct signal at the receiver.
References:

• Wireless Communication by TL Singal Tata McGraw Hill Education, Ist edition 2010,
ISBN: 978-0-07-068178-1.
• Wireless Communication Principle and Practice by TS Rappaport, Pearson, first
edition 2002.