D-Link DSL-X3052E - What Is Wireless

112D-Link DSL-X3052E User Manual
Appendix A - Wireless Basics
What is Wireless?
Wireless or Wi-Fi technology is another way of connecting your computer to the network without using wires. Wi-Fi uses radio
frequency to connect wirelessly so you have the freedom to connect computers anywhere in your home or oce network.
How does wireless work?
Wireless works similarly to how cordless phones work, through radio signals that transmit data from one point A to point B. But
wireless technology has restrictions as to how you can access the network. You must be within the wireless network range area
to be able to connect your computer. There are two dierent types of wireless networks: Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN),
and Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN).
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
In a wireless local area network, a device called an Access Point (AP) connects computers to the network. The access point has a
small antenna attached to it, which allows it to transmit data back and forth over radio signals. With an indoor access point the
signal can travel up to 300 feet. The chart below shows the dierence between the Wi-Fi standards:
IEEE Standard Frequency Highest Modulation Channel Width MIMO
802.11ax 2.4/5 GHz 1024-QAM 20/40/
80/160MHz
MU-MIMO (Multi-User)
802.11ac 5 GHz 256-QAM 20/40/80MHz MU-MIMO (Multi-User)
802.11n 2.4/5 GHz 64-QAM 20/40MHz SU-MIMO (Single-User)
802.11g 2.4 GHz OFDM, DSSS 20 MHz N/A
802.11a 5 GHz BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM,
64-QAM
20 MHz N/A
802.11b 2.4 GHz CCK, PBCC, DBPSK,
DQPSK
20 MHz N/A