What is Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)

A communication technology that uses the 'Direct-sequence spread spectrum radio technology' and the 'Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing radio technology', Wi-Fi is the trademark used by a trade group known as Wi-fi Alliance. The essence of the Wi-Fi technology is that, it acts as a bridge between wireless devices that operate on different technologies. So what does Wi-Fi stand for? The term Wi-Fi is used for wireless fidelity. Although the word, Wi-Fi is used as a substitute for 'wireless LAN', every single LAN (Local Area Network) is not necessarily certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

How Does Wi-Fi Work
Radio waves are used for the working of Wi-Fi technology. The wireless adapter of the computer and the wireless router play an important role in its working. The adapter receives data from the computer in digital form. This data, after its conversion in radio waves is sent to the router by means of an antenna. The router decodes the signal and sends it to the Internet. The process is reversed when information is sent from the Internet to a computer.

The difference between the radio waves sent by Wi-Fi and those sent by walkie-talkies and cell phones is that Wi-Fi uses high frequency waves of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. The Wi-Fi technology operates on the platform of IEEE 802.11 networking standards. Implemented by the IEEE LAN/MAN Standard Committee, the 802.11 networking standards have different forms such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n.

Wi-Fi Hotspots
These are places that provide wireless internet access in a LAN mode. A single router is used to provide internet connection in a shared network. Brett Stewart though, put forward the concept of hotspot, didn't coin the term 'hotspot'. Instead he proposed the use of 'Wireless LANs', during a San Francisco conference held at the Moscone Center in August 1993. In Europe and North America, hotspots are generally found at coffee shops and other public places.

Before using the Internet service in a hotspot, one has to connect an adapter to his computer. The adapters are plugged into the PC card slots of the computer. The adapters detect the wireless internet network that is provided in the hotspots.

History of Wi-Fi
The spread spectrum radio technology that is used in Wi-Fi, was made available to the public in United States in the year 1985, by Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) in an unlicensed form. However, the initial proposal for the radio technology's public use was put forth by Michael Marcus in the year 1980, and had to wait for 5 years. Later it was made available in other countries. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) a research body in Australia filed for the original patents of the 802.11 network technology, used in Wi-Fi in the year 1996.

The Wi-Fi technology has a long way to go. Although the technology has penetrated small towns and regions in the developed nations, its use in the developing nations is still below par. Many cities and educational institutions are promoting the establishment of Wi-fi infrastructure in their premise. An important and useful technology of the future, the Wi-Fi is here to stay.