Tech-FAQ Tip: Click Here to Check for PC Errors

What are the types of wireless networks?

 

Wireless data networks exist in such number and variety as to be difficult to categorize and compare.

Some wireless data networks run over wireless voice networks, such as mobile telephone networks. CPDP, HSCSD, PDC-P, and GPRS are examples. Other wireless networks run on their own physical layer networks, utilizing anything from antennas built into handlheld devices to large antennas mounted on towers. 802.11, LMDS, and MMDS are examples. A few wireless networks are intended only to connect small devices over short distances. Bluetooth is an example.

Wireless networks which run over other wireless networks often utilize the lower layer networks to provide security and encryption. Stand-alone wireless networks either provide their own security and encryption features or rely upon VPN's (Virtual Private Networks) to provide those features. In many cases, multiple layers of security and encryption may be desirable.

Some wireless networks are fixed, meaning that antennas do not move frequently. Other wireless networks are mobile, meaning that the antenna can move constantly. This is sometimes a feature of the specific implementation and antenna design, instead of an inherent limitation of the wireless network specification.

Wireless networks may operate on licensed or unlicensed portions of the frequency spectrum.

Common Wireless Network Types

Major types of wireless networks include:

CDPDCellular Digital Packet Data
HSCSDHigh Speed Circuit Switched Data
PDC-PPacket Data Cellular
GPRSGeneral Packet Radio Service
1xRTT1x Radio Transmission Technology
Bluetooth 
IrDA 
MMDSMultichannel Multipoint Distribution Service
LMDSLocal Multipoint Distribution Service
WiMAXWorldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
802.11Wi-Fi
Wireless Communications and Networks Principles of Wireless Networks: A Unified Approach Building Wireless Community Networks Deploying License-Free Wireless Wide-Area Networks
Purchase these books on wireless networks at Amazon.com


Bookmark What are the types of wireless networks?

Free White Papers on Wireless Technology

Latest Blog Posts





Copyright 2008 Tech-FAQ. All rights reserved.