What is Wireless: Definition and 248 Discussions

Wireless communication (or just wireless, when the context allows) is the transfer of information between two or more points that do not use an electrical conductor as a medium by which to perform the transfer. The most common wireless technologies use radio waves. With radio waves, intended distances can be short, such as a few meters for Bluetooth or as far as millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications. It encompasses various types of fixed, mobile, and portable applications, including two-way radios, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and wireless networking. Other examples of applications of radio wireless technology include GPS units, garage door openers, wireless computer mouse, keyboards and headsets, headphones, radio receivers, satellite television, broadcast television and cordless telephones. Somewhat less common methods of achieving wireless communications include the use of other electromagnetic wireless technologies, such as light, magnetic, or electric fields or the use of sound.
The term wireless has been used twice in communications history, with slightly different meaning. It was initially used from about 1890 for the first radio transmitting and receiving technology, as in wireless telegraphy, until the new word radio replaced it around 1920. Radios in the UK that were not portable continued to be referred to as wireless sets into the 1960s. The term was revived in the 1980s and 1990s mainly to distinguish digital devices that communicate without wires, such as the examples listed in the previous paragraph, from those that require wires or cables. This became its primary usage in the 2000s, due to the advent of technologies such as mobile broadband, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Wireless operations permit services, such as mobile and interplanetary communications, that are impossible or impractical to implement with the use of wires. The term is commonly used in the telecommunications industry to refer to telecommunications systems (e.g. radio transmitters and receivers, remote controls, etc.) which use some form of energy (e.g. radio waves, acoustic energy,) to transfer information without the use of wires. Information is transferred in this manner over both short and long distances.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. quantum82

    Wireless Microcurrent Stimulation

    Hi all, I came across a device named: Wireless Microcurrent Stimulation used in medical applications and more particularly in wound healing. I am just trying to understand how the device works from an electromagnetic engineering perspective. More details...
  2. A

    Essay on Life without Mobile phones today

    Could this be a good essay for school or college children to write a essay on "Life without Mobile phones today" as the essay title? The Mobile phones (Wireless technology) has impacted our lives and its hard for us where once upon a time we were using land line phones (wired technology) and...
  3. berkeman

    Boeing, Airbus executives urge delay in U.S. 5G wireless deployment

    I heard about this yesterday on the radio. Both sides (the airlines and the cellphone carriers) have very strong economic interests at stake, and hopefully a good (safe) technical solution can be found and tested quickly...
  4. F

    Air-Gap & Wireless Power Transmission Efficiency

    Summary:: How does the air-gap affect the efficiency ? For a wireless power transmission system, to what extend does the efficiency and coupling parameters get affected by the distance between the coils? What can be done to increase the power transmission or efficiency regardless of the value...
  5. gmax137

    Do wireless routers 'wear out'

    I have a tablet I use at home, and lately it is slow to load internet pages. If I turn "Airplane Mode" ON then OFF, the slow page will load. Or I can disconnect from my wireless network and then re-connect, and the page loads. When I had this problem in the past I was advised "your router is...
  6. K

    Wireless routers vs. microwave ovens

    I believe most wireless router uses the same frequency as a microwave oven, yet microwave ovens heats up food while routers do not. If an energy of the light/radiation is only dependent on frequency, how is it that microwaves heats up food while wireless routers do not?
  7. WonderfulWorld

    Long Distance Wireless Power Transmission

    Hi Everyone, I wanted to get the communities take on this. Long distance wireless power transmission. I know that you cannot accomplish this with magnetic fields or with radio waves because the energy falls of with the square of the distance but I have been reading about some unique methods to...
  8. F

    Wireless Router, WiFi, and a laser cutter

    Hello, I have a laser cutter which can connect to a wireless router via an ethernet cable. My laptop accesses the internet through the wifi provided in the office (I don't have access to a broadband modem). Is it possible to simultaneously be connected to the internet, via wifi, and at the...
  9. E

    Optical wireless communication ideas

    Hello PF! I have developed a recent interest into electro-optics used in communication systems. Specifically speaking, I am mostly interested into Optical wireless communications and their applications, for terrestrial to satellite communication. I am considering to do a research project for my...
  10. J

    Wireless Power Transfer (is this correct)

    Ref: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Design-and-Simulation-of-Different-Wireless-Power-Baroi-Isla m/dc19ecfde904964704777ab5adef96d5d6846f1f I couldn't find the working of this circuit so I guess it would be like: Initially transistor is OFF, so the current flows through Base, and...
  11. Z

    Comp Sci Rate of transmission in a wireless LAN

    Hi, It says that: When A transmits, it can only be heard/received by B when D transmits, only C can hear/receive from D. Ans : 2 messages/slot Please provide some reasoning for this answer. Zulfi.
  12. th078

    Radio frequency shielding for Raspberry Pi Zero

    So I'm trying to put together a Pi Zero mini computer to use for security-oriented applications, for example encrypting/decrypting messages, working with encryption keys, etc. It's cheap, very small and thus easy to carry around. However, I'm not entirely comfortable with the presence of the...
  13. afternoone

    Electronics DIY a wireless charger into a book

    Check my art DIY a wireless charger into a book how it looks like after finish here is the video: DIY a wireless charger into a book the brand is Soopus-X if you ask
  14. J

    Calculate the time taken to transmit the file over the wireless link

    Hello, I've got this question: A 16 MB file is compressed using a compression ratio of 4. The resulting compressed file is transmitted over a wireless connection that offers a maximum data rate of 1.2 Gbps. If a throughput of 60% can be achieved, and assuming there are no other transmissions...
  15. J

    Wireless communications system

    Homework Statement A wireless communications system can achieve a theoretical maximum data rate of 200 Mbps using 16-QAM modulation in a 10 MHz channel and using a single spatial stream. What data rate could theoretically be achieved if the same system used 256-QAM and 8 spatial streams in a 20...
  16. R

    Interface Wireless Frequency Sensor with Arduino

    Hello, I am going to interface wireless frequency meter transmitter with Arduino but before starting regarding sensor, I need to test the signal strength of this sensor (at different distances) by interfacing it with Arduino, I have never been used such kind of sensor before so any suggestion...
  17. José Ricardo

    Post with wireless electricity is it possible?

    A post, each which connected without a wire, is it possible in a brief future?
  18. B

    Electromagnetics wireless transmission of Energy

    There is an LC resonant tank connected at a power source at the resonant frequency and far away from it there is Another LC circuit with the same resonant frequency connected to a multimeter. Assuming that there is no resistance and that all components are ideal the second coil will receive all...
  19. ISamson

    Electrical Homemade, easy, DIY, wireless, IoT and Bluetooth?

    Hello. From my reasoning, I understand that at the most basic levels all electronics are made out of transistors, wires, capacitors... So I was wondering if it would be possible to make an easy, homemade DIY wireless, IoT or bluetooth connected piece of electronic just by using wires...
  20. E

    How to increase 5GHz wireless range for RT-AC68U

    Hi, I'm new to the forum and i am encountering a problem with my wifi router I am using RT-AC68U in a house that farthest place to the router is about 15 meter away but with 3 walls between it and my cellphone. I am getting weak signal and sometimes it disconnects from 5GHz band but 2.4GHz is...
  21. J

    Wireless Electricity Transmission

    Folks, I am still thinking of the possible approach to solving a problem of having to run poles and power lines to transmit electricity from one point to the other. Can there be a way it could be done in that we can convert electric current into electro-magnetic waves that can be transmitted...
  22. dkotschessaa

    Stress testing a wireless router

    This is not exactly engineering. Please move where appropriate if it's not. I am testing some 4G netcomm wireless routers to see how much traffic they can handle in certain situations. We are trying to find ways to "impede" them. They have two antennae that can be unscrewed. Removing both...
  23. spikey1973

    2A wireless charging mobile phone

    Very simple question that just want confirmed or disconfirmed.. I have a mobile cell phone which charges with max 2A but without wireless charging capabilities. Nowadays there are external wireless charging antennas for sale by the masses.. but even though there are charging platforms that can...
  24. srinaath

    Electrical DIY wireless power transfer device concept

    i am planning to do a small diy wireless power transfer device. The circuit of the transmitter is receiver has just the coil and load arrangement. my query is, (please correct me if am wrong) -->to induce a voltage in the secondary coil, there must be a varying magnetic field right? -->but...
  25. A

    Sending a Number Over Wifi: Energy Requirements

    I'm currently working on a project involving Wifi transmission. The device needs to send a 1-3 digit number to a computer/phone that is 5-15 feet away. Approximately how much energy will this take to send one number? Thank you! Austin
  26. F

    Wireless, RF, inverse fourth power law vs inverse square law

    When, in wireless communications, does the inverse fourth power-law become relevant? My understanding is that is that what cause the average signal power to degrade to the forth power is cancellation from self reflections. So by my way of thinking, an LOS point to point system, like a...
  27. F

    Engineering Academic/Career advice for and old dude going back to school

    Hi. I'm 45 with a BSEE and BS in computer science, which I haven't really used. Actually I've worked mostly as a communications technician for most of my adult life. I've done IP/networking work, but most my experience is with wireless communications; two way, trunked radio, microwave, and...
  28. The GodWhiz

    Physics Research in wireless energy transfer or Future space engines

    Hi, i am a 2nd year B.E student in India,and a new user to this site(sorry for any mistakes :) ) .My question is i want to do research that primarily concerns these 2 areas viz.Wireless energy transfer, and future space engines(starwhisps,solar sails,etc),is there any way to achieve my dream,i...
  29. T

    What is the difference between 3G, 4G, and LTE cellular network standards?

    I am very confused with the 3G, 4G, LTE, UTMS, WCDMA terms... Hope someone could shed some light on it. I think complication arises when marketing people start to use these terms interchangeably? Below is my interpretation, is that correct? Would someone be kind enough to make some comments...
  30. T

    I Non-EMF Wireless Communication

    Is there any theoretical room for wireless communication that does not require EMF and would be unhindered by RF blocking materials or Faraday cages?
  31. Abd El Rahman

    Wireless power transfer topics

    Hello , I am doing my M.Sc in wireless power transfer using resonant inductive coupling.I want to know what topics i should read and understand to master this research.
  32. Y

    TV or stereo with RCA to wireless speaker

    Hi All I am looking for the cheapest way to connect the Direct TV box with RCA connector audio output to a wireless speaker in another room. It can be the lowest sound quality as I am only listening to the news, no music. My work room do not have Direct tv, I just want to pipe the sound from...
  33. K

    Magnetic Induction on Wireless Earbuds

    I was thinking about buying these new wireless earbuds called DASH. They are made by a kickstarter company Bragi. They recently told us that in order to connect both earbuds together and also connect it to a device using bluetooth they needed to use magnetic induction. I was wondering what that...
  34. Ahsan Elahi

    Maxwel 3D Wireless Power Transfer setup simulation errors

    Dear All, i am new to Maxwell 3D software. i want to simulate my Wireless Power transmission Project in Maxwell, for this purpose i took help from different toturials whic abled me to draw the Tx and RX coils...i want to simulate these coils to calculate the values of L, M, K and etc. but i am...
  35. Akmalidin

    Where does the other 50% of energy go in wireless power transfer?

    Hello, I am a student doing a research at university.I am working on wireless electricity transfer.I have two coils forming transmitter and Receiver. My coils are with diameter 17 cm. I have reached 53% efficiency in 15cm.And It is not increasing anyhow whatever I do. I want to ask where other...
  36. Navin A S

    Wireless Power Transfer: Magnetic Flux?

    If a conductor carrying current has magnetic flux around it,why not a carrier wave that carries current in case of wireless power transfer has a magnetic flux around it?
  37. H Smith 94

    How is radio wave propagation modelled in seawater?

    Before I start, I apologise for the information dump that is to follow. I don't expect all questions to be answered or all models to be addressed; I simply feel it is appropriate to provide the community with my current knowledge and stage of research so you may not have to search for it...
  38. pvvijaykumar

    How can you control devices remotely using wireless systems like USRP?

    How controlling a device is possible using wireless communications systems like software defined radio?
  39. K

    ISP - Wireless broadband - necessary equipments

    Hi fellas! I am planning to start a ISP in our region, which uses cellular tower for bandwidth signal receiving & transmitting. We have established the leased line back bone to our network and figured out microwave & GSM antenna concepts to receive signals from suppliers and to send signals to...
  40. Edwina Lee

    Wireless transmission of power along a railway track

    China is embarking on developing high speed railways that use wireless transmission of power, thus reducing the need to replace the sliding electrode which needs frequent replacement. The project is aware of the health & safety issue, of course. It also implies that they have already come to the...
  41. Y

    Connect my Canon MX922 printer to my new wireless router

    I just bought the Netgear AC1200 router, I followed the instruction of typing "routerlogin.net" in the address bar, logged in and created my password. and I got both my laptop connected wirelessly to the router. My issue is setting up the wireless connection to the Cannon MX922 all in one...
  42. andy__9

    How is wireless data sent over the airwaves?

    So you start with electromagnetic radiation(Maxwell) and magically send 'data' over the atmosphere to a receiving device. EM radiation consists of photons, not electrons(I think), and the only way to detect a photon is through the photo-electric effect. I also have heard of frequency...
  43. Akmalidin

    High Efficient wireless power transfer

    I have been working on the wireless energy transfer recently.Therefore, I am having low efficiency.I have set several coils with different parameters.Could anybody suggest any method to increase the efficiency?I want to transmit high voltage with high efficiency about 50-70W. I have tried with...
  44. J

    Wireless Digital Transmission

    For some reason I can't find any satisfying answers to my questions on the internet. 1. Are mostly all remotes, phones, wifi, etc. using wireless digital transmission? If so, why does a wifi signal get weaker when you move further away? The inverse square law shouldn't apply to a digital signal...
  45. S

    Is Wireless Current Transmission Possible Over Long Distances?

    We all know that current can be induced in a coil other than the coil carrying current by electromagnetic induction. This type of wireless current transmission is possible only in a limited or short distance. My question is that can we transmit current over long distances.this could have many uses
  46. P

    Wireless transmission of energy

    hello! as for wireless transmission of energy, what is the efficiency and how far the item can be? where can I read more about it? thanks!
  47. M

    A question about two-step wireless securities

    Hi. I enter the school wireless with my school number as first step then my mail-password related to school's mail as the two step. I do this with Windows operating system by a simple configuration but I cannot do that configuration by Windows Phone O.S. The network officiers says there is no...
  48. M

    Wireless problem -- laptop's wireless connection suprisingly weakened

    Hi, My laptop's wireless connection suprisingly weakened. I use a Windows 8.1 laptop. I thought it was related to updates but after I installed updates waiting to be installed, problem hasn't change. There is not problem for other laptops so source of wireless has not a problem. Thank you.
  49. A

    Wireless power and lighting ball

    Hey guys.Is there some relation between wireless power and lighting balls
Back
Top