Computer Networking › Section G · Wireless and mobile networks › Topic G.1
Wireless links and their characteristics
A radio link is far less predictable than a cable: its signal fades, bounces and competes with other transmitters. Understanding those quirks explains almost every design choice in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular networks.
In this topic
- Two separate challenges: wireless and mobility
- The parts of a wireless network
- Four kinds of wireless network
- Why radio signals degrade
- Signal-to-noise ratio and decibels
- Worked example: from dBm to a rate ceiling
- Bit errors and choosing a modulation
- Worked example: how BER becomes frame loss
- Hidden terminals and fading
- Worked example: two senders with CDMA
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
This topic is part of Wuanberri Pro. Checking your access…