Wi-Fi (wireless networking)
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By Vangie Beal
Wi-Fi is the name of a popular wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to
provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections. A common misconception
is that the term Wi-Fi is short for "wireless fidelity," however this is not the case. Wi-Fi is
simply a trademarked phrase that means IEEE 802.11x.
How Wi-Fi Networks Works
Wi-Fi networks have no physical wired connection between sender and receiver by
using radio frequency (RF) technology -- a frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum
associated with radio wave propagation. When an RF current is supplied to an antenna, an
electromagnetic field is created that then is able to propagate through space.
The cornerstone of any wireless network is an access point (AP). The primary job of an
access point is to broadcast a wireless signal that computers can detect and "tune" into. In
order to connect to an access point and join a wireless network, computers and devices
must be equipped with wireless network adapters.
The Wi-Fi Alliance
The Wi-Fi Alliance, the organization that owns the Wi-Fi registered trademark term
specifically defines Wi-Fi as any "wireless local area network (WLAN) products that are
based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11 standards."
Initially, Wi-Fi was used in place of only the 2.4GHz 802.11b standard, however the Wi-Fi
Alliance has expanded the generic use of the Wi-Fi term to include any type of network
or WLAN product based on any of the 802.11 standards, including 802.11b, 802.11a, dual-
band and so on, in an attempt to stop confusion about wireless LAN interoperability.
Wi-Fi Support in Applications and Devices
Wi-Fi is supported by many applications and devices including video game consoles,
home networks, PDAs, mobile phones, major operating systems, and other types
of consumer electronics. Any products that are tested and approved as "Wi-Fi Certified"
(a registered trademark) by the Wi-Fi Alliance are certified as interoperable with each
other, even if they are from different manufacturers. For example, a user with a Wi-Fi
Certified product can use any brand of access point with any other brand of client
hardware that also is also "Wi-Fi Certified".
Products that pass this certification are required to carry an identifying seal on their
packaging that states "Wi-Fi Certified" and indicates the radio frequency band used
(2.5GHz for 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n, and 5GHz for 802.11a).
*802.11 specifies an over-the-air interface between a wireless client and a base station or between two
wireless clients.
802.11 — applies to wireless LANs and provides 1 or 2 Mbps transmission in the 2.4 GHz band
802.11b (also referred to as 802.11 High Rate or Wi-Fi) — an extension to 802.11 that applies to wireless
LANS and provides 11 Mbps transmission in the 2.4 GHz band.
802.11a — an extension to 802.11 that applies to wireless LANs and provides up to 54-Mbps in the 5GHz
band.
Source: https://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/Wi_Fi.html
Actividades:
Presta atención al título, subtítulos e imagen que acompaña al texto. ¿De qué trata el
texto? ¿Cuál es la idea general?
Presta atención a las palabras en negrita. ¿Qué significa la sigla Wi-Fi? ¿Cuál es la idea
popular sobre su significado?
Presta atención a las siglas RF, AP, WLAN, IEEE ¿A qué hacen referencia?
Wi-Fi Alliance es propietaria del término Wi-Fi el cual es una marca registrada. ¿Es Wi-Fi
Alliance una persona, una institución o una organización?
En el texto se mencionan las siguientes cifras: 802.11, 802.11a y 802.1b. ¿Qué
significan? (Utiliza la nota al pie de página).
Uno de los subtítulos trata sobre aplicaciones and dispositivos. ¿En qué parte del texto se
encuentra? ¿Cuáles menciona?
Luego de aplicar la Estrategia del Vistazo ¿Qué porcentaje del texto has entendido?
