By CIOReview | Monday, October 7, 2024

Wireless technology is transforming substantially as many people and devices connect wirelessly instead of relying on conventional cabling. This article discusses the critical challenges of wireless technology.

Fremont, CA: The wireless technology landscape is evolving significantly as more individuals and devices establish connections wirelessly rather than through traditional cabling. The pace of change in wireless is accelerating, driven by advancements such as 5G, CBRS, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 6E, alongside the heightened demand for connectivity that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year.

As we gain insights into forthcoming wireless developments, it is equally crucial to reassess the fundamental challenges of implementing a dependable wireless network.

Key Wireless Challenges

Attenuation or Signal Loss:

As individuals move further away, the strength of wireless signals diminishes. This phenomenon is known as attenuation, which refers to the reduction in signal strength.

Transmitting outdoor wireless signals indoors is more complex than it may appear. When signals from external transmitters try to penetrate indoor environments, they can become so weakened that maintaining a connection becomes impossible.

Several obstacles can hinder the reception of outdoor wireless signals for indoor applications:

   ●  The building materials (such as glass, steel, masonry, and concrete)

   ●  Vegetation, including trees and dense landscaping

   ●  Geographical features like hills, mountains, or other physical obstructions

   ●  High concentrations of users or population density.

Regrettably, there are more viable solutions than simply installing an antenna on the exterior of a building to capture signals from a nearby cell tower. This approach can lead to capacity constraints and overcrowding problems, ultimately diminishing throughput. Adhering to particular procedures and strategies is essential to effectively transmit wireless signals indoors.

Movement/Time Variance:

The primary advantage of a wireless connection lies in its capacity to facilitate mobility. Your device is not restricted by a physical cable, enabling it to remain connected to the network while you navigate your environment.

However, what benefit does a wireless system provide if it confines you to a specific location to sustain a connection? An effective wireless network must ensure consistent connectivity regardless of the users' locations, movements, or device positioning.

Reach:

The industry has been transitioning towards utilizing higher wireless signal frequencies, including 5 GHz and mmWave, to enhance data transmission and increase bandwidth for applications such as video streaming.

As devices vie for access on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, it has become necessary to explore higher-frequency spectrums, given that the lower frequencies are already occupied. This exploration has recently led to adopting a shared-spectrum strategy for the 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) and 3.5 GHz (CBRS) bands.

Generally, higher frequencies are associated with a reduced range. Low-frequency signals, on the other hand, can penetrate walls and floors more effectively than their higher-frequency counterparts, thereby extending their effective reach.

Network Densification:

Wireless networks experience an influx of new users and devices daily. Despite this rapid expansion, a consistent level of connectivity is anticipated.

This expansion results in network collisions, which occur when numerous devices attempt to transmit data simultaneously, leading to a failure in communication. When a collision is identified in a wired network, data packets can be retransmitted. Preventing collisions is essential to ensuring optimal wireless service.

These are some of the wireless challenges.