WiFi is a technology that utilizes radio waves to transmit and receive signals from nearby devices, allowing them to connect to the internet. It enables multiple users to connect their electronic devices to a specific internet router simultaneously, without any interference.
WiFi has become an essential part of our modern lives, providing us with constant connectivity. It is widely used by almost everyone, whether it’s for updating social media, ordering food, booking transportation, or even for educational purposes. WiFi has revolutionized the way we stay connected and is now available in cafes, restaurants, and public spaces worldwide.
For today’s generation, a day without WiFi would be more challenging than a day without food.
What is WiFi?
WiFi is a technology that allows you to connect to the internet wirelessly on various devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and audio devices. It eliminates the need for wires and is often referred to as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Technically, WiFi is based on IEEE 802.11 standards, which are used to implement wireless communication in specific frequency bands.
The old WiFi Alliance logo (Photo Credit : Wikimedia Commons)
WiFi enables multiple users to connect to an internet router simultaneously, ensuring uninterrupted access for everyone. This is why many establishments such as restaurants, hotels, train stations, and airports have multiple WiFi routers installed. Some places may charge a fee for WiFi access, but others, like restaurants and hotels, offer it for free.
Many coffee shops, bars, and restaurants provide free WiFi to their customers (Photo Credit : Pixabay)
What is the Meaning of WiFi?
When people refer to “WiFi,” they are actually talking about Wireless Fidelity. This term was created by a brand consulting firm for the technology that has a more complex name. It would be quite challenging to ask a bartender for the password to “IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence.”
It’s important to note that WiFi is a brand owned by the WiFi Alliance, a non-profit organization that promotes WiFi technology and products.
The WiFi Alliance wanted a more catchy name that regular users could easily remember. That’s how the term “WiFi” came to be. One of the founding members of the WiFi Alliance, who was involved in selecting the name, mentioned that “WiFi” was intended as a play on the term “hi-fi” (Source).
How Does WiFi Work?
WiFi operates by transmitting and receiving radio waves, which are a type of electromagnetic wave (other examples of the electromagnetic spectrum include visible light, ultraviolet rays, infrared, X-rays, etc.). These waves facilitate communication between devices.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum (Photo Credit: Designua / Shutterstock)
The radio frequencies used by WiFi signals are different from those used by car radios, cell phones, or walkie-talkies. WiFi frequencies are in the Gigahertz range.
There are two main types of wireless connectivity for accessing the internet: mobile internet through a mobile network provider and wireless internet through a WiFi router.
What is a WiFi Router?
A WiFi router, also known as a wireless router, is an electronic device that forwards data packets between computer networks. It allows multiple devices connected to it to access the internet. In simpler terms, it is a machine that sends internet from a cable to a device and also acts as a wireless access point, enabling the connected devices to access the data wirelessly.
A wireless router (Photo Credit: Pixabay)
How Does a WiFi Router Work?
A WiFi router first receives data from a phone or cable line connected to it. It then converts this data into radio signals and transmits them within its range.
Devices in proximity, such as laptops or smartphones with wireless adapters, detect these signals. The wireless adapter translates the data intended for the internet into radio signals using an antenna.
Multiple devices can be connected to a single router simultaneously (Photo Credit: Pixabay)
The router receives these radio signals sent by the smartphone, decodes them into data, and sends the data to the internet through an Ethernet connection. The same process occurs in reverse, allowing you to update your Facebook status within seconds.
This process may seem time-consuming when described in detail, but it actually happens within a fraction of a second due to the speed of radio waves. Like any electromagnetic wave, radio waves travel at the speed of light.
Is WiFi Safe?
Absolutely! WiFi poses no danger.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), watching videos on your tablet using WiFi does not have any negative impact on your health or the health of others. So, feel free to continue enjoying your videos without any worries!