History of Wi-Fi and Types

Today, anything and everything is about the Internet. The minute we go to a public place, the first thing we check for is wifi connectivity. But did you know how wifi was invented? 

History of Wi-Fi

The history of Wi-Fi dates back to the 1980s and has since revolutionized the way we connect to the internet and communicate wirelessly. Here is a detailed overview of the history of Wi-Fi, with a focus on its development in the United States:

1. The invention of Radio: The foundation for wireless communication can be traced back to the late 19th century with the invention of radio by Nikola Tesla, Guglielmo Marconi, and others. Radio technology laid the groundwork for the later development of Wi-Fi.
2. Creation of the IEEE 802.11 Standards: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) established the 802.11 Working Group in 1990. This group was responsible for developing standards for wireless local area networks (WLANs), including Wi-Fi. The first standard, 802.11, was released in 1997, providing a basis for wireless networking technology.
3. Development of the 2.4 GHz Band: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States allocated the unlicensed 2.4 GHz frequency band for industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) applications. This band became the primary frequency range for Wi-Fi transmissions due to its availability and worldwide acceptance.
4. Release of the First Wi-Fi Products: In 1997, the first commercial Wi-Fi products were introduced, including the WaveLAN wireless network card by NCR Corporation and the Proxim Symphony wireless networking system. These early products utilized the 802.11 standard and operated in the 2.4 GHz frequency band.
5. Advancements in Speed and Range: Over the years, subsequent versions of the 802.11 standard were released, including 802.11b, which brought faster speeds of up to 11 Mbps, and 802.11g, which offered even higher speeds of up to 54 Mbps. These advancements expanded the capabilities of Wi-Fi and improved its range and reliability.
6. Introduction of Wi-Fi Alliance: In 1999, several leading technology companies, including Apple, Cisco, Nokia, and others, formed the Wi-Fi Alliance. This industry consortium aimed to ensure interoperability between different Wi-Fi devices and promote the adoption of Wi-Fi technology.
7. Expansion to 5 GHz Band: In 1999, the 802.11a standard was introduced, which allowed Wi-Fi to operate in the less congested 5 GHz frequency band. This offered higher speeds and less interference but had a shorter range compared to the 2.4 GHz band.
8. Introduction of WPA and WPA2 Security: With the growing popularity of Wi-Fi, security has become a significant concern. The Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) protocol was introduced in 2003, followed by WPA2 in 2004, providing improved encryption and authentication methods to enhance Wi-Fi security.
9. Evolution of Wi-Fi Standards: As technology continued to advance, subsequent iterations of the 802.11 standard were introduced, including 802.11n, 802.11ac, and the latest standard as of 2021, 802.11ax (also known as Wi-Fi 6). These newer standards brought significant improvements in speed, capacity, and efficiency, supporting the ever-increasing demand for wireless connectivity.
10. Ubiquitous Wi-Fi Adoption: Wi-Fi has become a ubiquitous technology, present in homes, offices, public spaces, and various devices such as smartphones, laptops, smart home devices, and more. It has transformed the way we connect to the internet, enabling wireless communication and providing seamless access to online services.

Today, Wi-Fi continues to evolve, with ongoing research and development focused on further enhancing its speed, range, security, and capacity to meet the demands of an increasingly

When Was WiFi Invented?

Wifi was developed in the 1990s. Vic Hayes, a research engineer and chairman of the IEEE 802.11 Working Group was called the ‘Father of Wifi’ for his contributions in developing wireless local area networks (WLAN). He worked as a former Senior Research Fellow at the Delft University of Technology. 

The Wifi Alliance is now a group of several companies or Internet service providers. Some of the largest Internet service providers in the US include AT&T Internet Services, Sparklight, Charter Communications, Cox Communications, etc. 

What Type of Wi-Fi is best?

Here are some different types of Wi-Fi and their key features to help you determine which one might be the most suitable for your requirements:

1. Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n): Wi-Fi 4, released in 2009, offers a significant improvement over previous standards in terms of speed, range, and reliability. It operates in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands and supports data transfer rates of up to 600 Mbps. Wi-Fi 4 is still widely used but may not deliver the highest speeds compared to newer standards.
2. Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): Wi-Fi 5, introduced in 2013, brought substantial performance enhancements. It operates solely in the 5 GHz band and supports data transfer rates of up to several gigabits per second. Wi-Fi 5 is known for its improved range, increased capacity, and better overall performance, making it a good choice for bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming and online gaming.
3. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): Wi-Fi 6, also known as High-Efficiency Wireless (HEW) or AX Wi-Fi, is the latest standard as of 2021. It offers significant advancements over previous generations, including higher data transfer rates, lower latency, improved network efficiency, and better performance in dense environments with multiple connected devices. Wi-Fi 6 operates in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and supports technologies like Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO).
4. Wi-Fi 6E: Wi-Fi 6E is an extension of Wi-Fi 6 that takes advantage of the newly opened 6 GHz frequency band. By utilizing this additional spectrum, Wi-Fi 6E provides even more channels and less interference, resulting in faster speeds and lower latency. Wi-Fi 6E is particularly beneficial for applications that require high bandwidth, such as 8K video streaming and virtual reality.

Factors Affecting Wifi Signal Strength

• Compatibility: Ensure that your devices support the desired Wi-Fi standard. Older devices may not be compatible with the latest standards, limiting their ability to take full advantage of the features and benefits.
• Internet Speed: Consider the speed of your internet connection. If you have a slower internet plan, a lower Wi-Fi standard may suffice. However, faster internet plans can benefit from newer Wi-Fi standards that provide higher data transfer rates.
• Device Density: If you have numerous devices connected to your network simultaneously, newer standards like Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E can handle more connections effectively, reducing congestion and providing a better experience for all devices.
• Range: If you have a large home or office space, consider a Wi-Fi standard with a longer range to ensure consistent coverage throughout the area.
• Budget: Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E routers and devices tend to be more expensive compared to older standards. Consider your budget and weigh the cost against the benefits you will gain from the newer standards.
• The study examines the use of Wi-Fi-based passive forward scattering radar for human movement classification.

Ultimately, the best type of Wi-Fi for you will depend on your specific needs and circumstances.