Wired, Wireless and Mobile Communications Technology Flashcards
What are the 4 types of wireless networks?
The 4 types of wireless networks:
- Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs)
- Mobile networks
- Satellite networks
- Microwave networks
Why would wireless transmission media be used over wired transmission media?
Wireless transmission media would be used when it is inconvenient, impractical or impossible to install cables.
What range do the radio signals involved in wireless computer network components have?
They either have it in a 2.4GHz range or a 5GHz range. The higher the frequency of a radio signal, the shorter its range.
What does Bluetooth use and what is its range?
Bluetooth uses short-range radio waves to transmit data among Bluetooth-enabled devices. Such devices contain a small chip that allows said devices to communicate with each other. Bluetooth signals range from 10m to 100m (with additional equipment).
Explain ‘Near-Field Communication (NFC)’
Near-Field Communication (NFC) involves users scanning an NFC device (e.g. a smartphone) over a tag or NFC-compatible receiver to transfer data via electromagnetic induction.
Explain ‘Microwaves’
Microwaves are radio waves that transmit signals at very high speeds (about 300000km/second), but use line-of-sight transmission, meaning that microwaves must transmit in a straight line with no obstructions between the antennas.
Explain ‘Communication Satellites’
A communication satellite receives a signal from an Earth-based station (often microwave stations) (called an uplink), amplifies the signals and broadcasts them back over a wide area to any number of Earth-based stations (called a downlink).
Explain ‘Mobile Network’
A mobile network uses telecommunication networks to allow users to communicate with their mobile device. Mobile phone towers were planned and positioned in a way that their signals overlap, allowing users to stay connected as they move around.
What is the ‘Internet of Things (IoT)’ and what are the three ways these devices can connect with each other?
IoT is a network formed by ‘smart devices’ (eg. mobile phones, virtual assistants) The three ways these devices can connect with each other include:
- Device-to-device
- Device-to-gateway
- Device-to-cloud
What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
A VPN allows a user to use public networks as if they were using a private network, by creating an encrypted connection between a device and a remote server, masking the user’s IP address, and making the user harder to trace.
