Characteristics of WiFi standards, frequency and absorption of the signal

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Wi-Fi, which is a shorten from Wireless-Fidelity, is a wireless network where data from two or more devices is transmitted using radio frequencies and antennas. Sending data over the radio is not new because Morze's code was binary transmitted without wires, but from that time radio signals have been significantly improved, so the range of information that can be sent today is big.

Wide specter of devices that can use Wi-Fi technology include PC, video game consoles, phones and tablets, digital cameras, smart TVs, digital audio players and some modern printers. Wi-Fi compatible devices can connect to the Internet via a wireless access point.

Good bandwidth and simplicity of the radio signal was utilized by WiFi whose radio signals are sent at frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

Wireless standards

There are five network standards:

• 802.11a
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n
• 802.11ac

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Each of them has certain characteristics:

• 802.11a is most commonly used for large corporate networks,

• 802.11b does not require high costs, but it implies a small maximum speed (11 Mbps), and there is also a chance that various home devices cause interference,

• 802.11g combines the best features of the 802.11a and 802.11b standards. It is compatible with all devices that use the above mentioned standards, and the maximum speed is 54 Mbps, which is quite acceptable for private needs,

• 802.11n It assumes a maximum speed of 600 Mbps. N routers are still considered new, so problems can occur when using devices are configured to operate in accordance with 802.11b/g standards,

• 802.11ac theoretically supports a maximum speed of 1.3 (Gbps).
  
  

These tags are most commonly encountered in the specifications of the phone and other devices, or their Wi-Fi networks. If a device supports all these standards, then it means that it supports Dual Band Wi-Fi.

If it only supports 802.11b/g standard, then it is a Single Band Wi-Fi device and only supports Wi-Fi networks at 2.4 GHz.

Also, if the 802.11a/ac standard is supported, then Wi-Fi at 5 GHz is supported. Models with support for Wi-Fi 802.11a/ac can generally connect to 2.4 GHz networks, while the reverse connection case to 5 GHz is not possible.

Support for Wi-Fi b/g is found in older devices or when the manufacturer is trying to minimize the cost of the device, and choose older hardware solutions.

If the device does not recognize a home, public or any other Wireless network, and other devices from your environment register the same network normally, then you probably have limited Wi-Fi hardware in your device.

Absorption

It is necessary to know that the Wi-Fi network at 5 GHz is theoretically higher quality, faster and allows fewer interruptions, but it is more difficult to "break through" physical barriers and have a shorter range.

On the other hand, the theoretical 2.4 GHz is less fast, but covers a larger area and overcomes obstacles. Also, interference and signal blurring is more common in these networks.

Different materials naturally have different absorption rates. A lot of the office materials will absorb some WiFi signal if it's traveling from the Access Point to the end-user devices. Wooden walls absorb small amounts of signals but brick or concrete walls can absorb much more. Also glass doors and plants (green vegetation) can absorb radio and Wi-Fi signals. Human body, which is made of about 70% water, absorbs radio signals too.

Table of absorption

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References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi

https://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/Wi_Fi.html

http://www.accoladewireless.com/wlan-wifi-signal-issues/

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