wireless#History

{{See also|History of telecommunication}}

{{Main|Photophone}}

File:Photophony1.jpg

The first wireless telephone conversation occurred in 1880 when Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Sumner Tainter invented the photophone, a telephone that sent audio over a beam of light. The photophone required sunlight to operate, and a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver, which greatly decreased the viability of the photophone in any practical use.{{cite book|author=Amédée Guillemin|title=Electricity and Magnetism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ez3PAAAAMAAJ&pg=PR31|accessdate=17 April 2021|year=1891|publisher=Macmillan and Company|page=31}} It would be several decades before the photophone's principles found their first practical applications in military communications and later in fiber-optic communications.

{{Main|Wireless telegraphy}}

A number of wireless electrical signaling schemes including sending electric currents through water and the ground using electrostatic and electromagnetic induction were investigated for telegraphy in the late 19th century before practical radio systems became available. These included a patented induction system by Thomas Edison allowing a telegraph on a running train to connect with telegraph wires running parallel to the tracks, a William Preece induction telegraph system for sending messages across bodies of water, and several operational and proposed telegraphy and voice earth conduction systems.

The Edison system was used by stranded trains during the Great Blizzard of 1888 and earth conductive systems found limited use between trenches during World War I but these systems were never successful economically.

{{Main|History of radio}}

File:Guglielmo Marconi 1901 wireless signal.jpg

In 1894, Guglielmo Marconi began developing a wireless telegraph system using radio waves, which had been known about since proof of their existence in 1888 by Heinrich Hertz, but discounted as a communication format since they seemed, at the time, to be a short-range phenomenon.{{cite book|title=Icons of Invention: The Makers of the Modern World from Gutenberg to Gates|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WKuG-VIwID8C&pg=PA162|year=2009|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-34743-6|page=162}} Marconi soon developed a system that was transmitting signals way beyond distances anyone could have predicted (due in part to the signals bouncing off the then unknown ionosphere). Marconi and Karl Ferdinand Braun were awarded the 1909 Nobel Prize for Physics for their contribution to this form of wireless telegraphy.

Millimetre wave communication was first investigated by Jagadish Chandra Bose during 1894{{ndash}}1896, when he reached an extremely high frequency of up to 60{{nbsp}}GHz in his experiments.{{cite web |title=Milestones: First Millimeter-wave Communication Experiments by J.C. Bose, 1894-96 |url=https://ethw.org/Milestones:First_Millimeter-wave_Communication_Experiments_by_J.C._Bose,_1894-96 |website=List of IEEE milestones |publisher=Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers |access-date=1 October 2019}} He also introduced the use of semiconductor junctions to detect radio waves,{{cite conference | last = Emerson | first = D. T. | title = 1997 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest, Vol. 3 | chapter = The work of Jagadis Chandra Bose: 100 years of mm-wave research | journal = IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Research | volume = 45 | issue = 12 | pages = 2267–2273 | year = 1997 | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=09Zsv97IH1MC&pg=PA88 | doi = 10.1109/MWSYM.1997.602853 | isbn = 9780986488511|bibcode = 1997imsd.conf..553E | s2cid = 9039614 }} reprinted in Igor Grigorov, Ed., [https://books.google.com/books?id=09Zsv97IH1MC Antentop], Vol. 2, No.3, pp. 87–96. when he patented the radio crystal detector in 1901.{{cite web |title=Timeline |url=https://www.computerhistory.org/siliconengine/timeline/ |website=The Silicon Engine |publisher=Computer History Museum |access-date=22 August 2019}}{{cite web |title=1901: Semiconductor Rectifiers Patented as "Cat's Whisker" Detectors |url=https://www.computerhistory.org/siliconengine/semiconductor-rectifiers-patented-as-cats-whisker-detectors/ |website=The Silicon Engine |publisher=Computer History Museum |access-date=23 August 2019}}

file:D2PAK.JPGs, which are used in RF power amplifiers to boost radio frequency (RF) signals in long-distance wireless networks.]]

The wireless revolution began in the 1990s,{{cite book |last1=Golio |first1=Mike |last2=Golio |first2=Janet |title=RF and Microwave Passive and Active Technologies |date=2018 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=9781420006728 |pages=ix, I-1, 18-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MCj9jxSVQKIC&pg=PR9}}{{cite journal |last1=Rappaport |first1=T. S. |title=The wireless revolution |journal=IEEE Communications Magazine |date=November 1991 |volume=29 |issue=11 |pages=52–71 |doi=10.1109/35.109666 |s2cid=46573735 }}{{cite news |title=The wireless revolution |url=https://www.economist.com/leaders/1999/01/21/the-wireless-revolution |access-date=12 September 2019 |newspaper=The Economist |date=21 January 1999}} with the advent of digital wireless networks leading to a social revolution, and a paradigm shift from wired to wireless technology,{{cite book |last1=Baliga |first1=B. Jayant |author1-link=B. Jayant Baliga |title=Silicon RF Power MOSFETS |date=2005 |publisher=World Scientific |isbn=9789812561213 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=StJpDQAAQBAJ}} including the proliferation of commercial wireless technologies such as cell phones, mobile telephony, pagers, wireless computer networks, cellular networks, the wireless Internet, and laptop and handheld computers with wireless connections.{{cite web |last=Harvey |first=Fiona |author-link=Fiona Harvey |date=8 May 2003 |title=The Wireless Revolution |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wireless-Revolution-The-879379 |access-date=12 September 2019 |website=Encyclopædia Britannica}} The wireless revolution has been driven by advances in radio frequency (RF), microelectronics, and microwave engineering, and the transition from analog to digital RF technology, which enabled a substantial increase in voice traffic along with the delivery of digital data such as text messaging, images and streaming media.

Wireless communications can be via:

{{main|Radio communication}}

{{further|Microwave transmission}}

Radio and microwave communication carry information by modulating properties of electromagnetic waves transmitted through space. Specifically, the transmitter generates artificial electromagnetic waves by applying time-varying electric currents to its antenna. The waves travel away from the antenna until they eventually reach the antenna of a receiver, which induces an electric current in the receiving antenna. This current can be detected and demodulated to recreate the information sent by the transmitter.

{{excerpt|Optical wireless communications}}

{{Main|Free-space optical communication}}

File:FSO-gigabit-laser-link-0a.jpg for assisting the alignment of the two heads.]] Free-space optical communication (FSO) is an optical communication technology that uses light propagating in free space to transmit wireless data for telecommunications or computer networking. "Free space" means the light beams travel through the open air or outer space. This contrasts with other communication technologies that use light beams traveling through transmission lines such as optical fiber or dielectric "light pipes".

The technology is useful where physical connections are impractical due to high costs or other considerations. For example, free space optical links are used in cities between office buildings that are not wired for networking, where the cost of running cable through the building and under the street would be prohibitive. Another widely used example is consumer IR devices such as remote controls and IrDA (Infrared Data Association) networking, which is used as an alternative to WiFi networking to allow laptops, PDAs, printers, and digital cameras to exchange data.

Sonic, especially ultrasonic short-range communication involves the transmission and reception of sound.

Electromagnetic induction only allows short-range communication and power transmission. It has been used in biomedical situations such as pacemakers, as well as for short-range RFID tags.

Common examples of wireless equipment include:Tech Target – Definition of Wireless – Posted by Margaret Rouse (2 April control and traffic control systems

• Infrared and ultrasonic remote control devices
• Professional LMR (Land Mobile Radio) and SMR (Specialized Mobile Radio) are typically used by business, industrial, and Public Safety entities.
• Consumer Two-way radio including FRS Family Radio Service, GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service), and Citizens band ("CB") radios.
• The Amateur Radio Service (Ham radio).
• Consumer and professional Marine VHF radios.
• Airband and radio navigation equipment used by aviators and air traffic control
• Cellular telephones and pagers: provide connectivity for portable and mobile applications, both personal and business.
• Global Positioning System (GPS): allows drivers of cars and trucks, captains of boats and ships, and pilots of aircraft to ascertain their location anywhere on earth.{{cite web|last=Tsai|first=Allen|title=AT&T Releases Navigator GPS Service with Speech Recognition|url=http://www.telarus.com/industry/att-releases-navigator-gps-service-with-speech-recognition.html|publisher=Telecom Industry News|access-date=2 April 2008|archive-date=14 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614143911/http://www.telarus.com/industry/att-releases-navigator-gps-service-with-speech-recognition.html|url-status=dead}}
• Cordless computer peripherals: the cordless mouse is a common example; wireless headphones, keyboards, and printers can also be linked to a computer via wireless using technology such as Wireless USB or Bluetooth.
• Cordless telephone sets: these are limited-range devices, not to be confused with cell phones.
• Satellite television: Is broadcast from satellites in geostationary orbit. Typical services use direct broadcast satellite to provide multiple television channels to viewers.

{{See also|Spectrum management}}

AM and FM radios and other electronic devices make use of the electromagnetic spectrum. The frequencies of the radio spectrum that are available for use for communication are treated as a public resource and are regulated by organizations such as the American Federal Communications Commission, Ofcom in the United Kingdom, the international ITU-R or the European ETSI. Their regulations determine which frequency ranges can be used for what purpose and by whom. In the absence of such control or alternative arrangements such as a privatized electromagnetic spectrum, chaos might result if, for example, airlines did not have specific frequencies to work under and an amateur radio operator was interfering with a pilot's ability to land an aircraft. Wireless communication spans the spectrum from 9 kHz to 300 GHz.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}}

One of the best-known examples of wireless technology is the mobile phone, also known as a cellular phone, with more than 6.6 billion mobile cellular subscriptions worldwide as of the end of 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33770&Cr=Telecom&Cr1=|title=Robust demand for mobile phone service will continue; UN agency predicts|work=UN News Centre|date=15 February 2010|access-date=6 September 2011}} These wireless phones use radio waves from signal-transmission towers to enable their users to make phone calls from many locations worldwide. They can be used within the range of the mobile telephone site used to house the equipment required to transmit and receive the radio signals from these instruments.{{cite web|last=Vilorio|first=Dennis|title=You're a what? Tower Climber|url=http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2012/summer/yawhat.pdf|work=Occupational Outlook Quarterly|access-date=6 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203044441/http://bls.gov/opub/ooq/2012/summer/yawhat.pdf|archive-date=3 February 2013 | url-status=live}}

{{redirect|Wireless Internet|all wireless Internet access|Wireless broadband|mobile wireless Internet|Mobile broadband}}

{{see also|Radio data communication}}

Wireless data communications allow wireless networking between desktop computers, laptops, tablet computers, cell phones, and other related devices. The various available technologies differ in local availability, coverage range, and performance,{{cite web|title=High Speed Internet on the Road|url=http://www.geeksontour.com/showme/wifi/wifi00_3ways|access-date=6 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903211900/http://www.geeksontour.com/showme/wifi/wifi00_3ways.cfm|archive-date=3 September 2011|url-status=dead}} and in some circumstances, users employ multiple connection types and switch between them using connection manager software{{cite web|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc776781%28WS.10%29.aspx|title=What is Connection Manager?|work=Microsoft Technet|date=28 March 2003|access-date=6 September 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.unwiredrevolution.com/what-we-do/our-products.aspx|title=Our Products|website=Unwired Revolution|access-date=6 September 2011|archive-date=9 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109051616/http://www.unwiredrevolution.com/what-we-do/our-products.aspx|url-status=dead}} or a mobile VPN to handle the multiple connections as a secure, single virtual network.{{cite web|url=http://www.gd-itronix.com/index.cfm?page=Products:MobilityXE|title=General Dynamics- NetMotion Mobility XE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926055054/http://www.gd-itronix.com/index.cfm?page=Products:MobilityXE|archive-date=26 September 2011|access-date=30 August 2011}} Supporting technologies include:

:Wi-Fi is a wireless local area network that enables portable computing devices to connect easily with other devices, peripherals, and the Internet.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} Standardized as IEEE 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac, ax, Wi-Fi has link speeds similar to older standards of wired Ethernet. Wi-Fi has become the de facto standard for access in private homes, within offices, and at public hotspots.{{cite web|url=http://www.hotrecruiter.com/resources/technical-tutorials/35-freelance-tips-a-tutorials/893-wi-fi|title=Wi-Fi|access-date=6 September 2011}} Some businesses charge customers a monthly fee for service, while others have begun offering it free in an effort to increase the sales of their goods.{{cite book|last1=O'Brien|first1=J|last2=Marakas|first2=G.M|year=2008|title=Management Information Systems|page=239|location=New York, NY|publisher=McGraw-Hill Irwin}}

:Cellular data service offers coverage within a range of 10-15 miles from the nearest cell site. Speeds have increased as technologies have evolved, from earlier technologies such as GSM, CDMA and GPRS, through 3G, to 4G networks such as W-CDMA, EDGE or CDMA2000.{{cite web |first1=Lachu|last1=Aravamudhan|first2=Stefano|last2=Faccin|first3=Risto|last3=Mononen|first4=Basavaraj|last4=Patil|first5=Yousuf|last5=Saifullah|first6=Sarvesh|last6=Sharma|first7=Srinivas|last7=Sreemanthula|url=http://www.informit.com/articles/printerfriendly.aspx?p=98132|title=Getting to Know Wireless Networks and Technology|publisher=InformIT |date=Jul 4, 2003 |access-date=12 July 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/DocumentsIMT2000/What_really_3G.pdf|title=What really is a Third Generation (3G) Mobile Technology|publisher=ITU|access-date=12 July 2011|archive-date=7 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607105523/http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/DocumentsIMT2000/What_really_3G.pdf|url-status=dead}} As of 2018, the proposed next generation is 5G.

:Low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN) bridge the gap between Wi-Fi and Cellular for low-bitrate Internet of things (IoT) applications.

:Mobile-satellite communications may be used where other wireless connections are unavailable, such as in largely rural areas{{cite web|last=Geier|first=Jim|url=http://www.wireless-nets.com/resources/downloads/wireless_industry_report_2007.pdf|title=Wireless Network Industry Report 2007|publisher=Wireless-Nets, Ltd.|year=2008|access-date=6 September 2011|archive-date=12 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012152324/http://www.wireless-nets.com/resources/downloads/wireless_industry_report_2007.pdf|url-status=dead}} or remote locations. Satellite communications are especially important for transportation, aviation, maritime and military use.{{cite book|last1=Ilcev|first1=Stojce Dimov|title=Global Mobile Satellite Communications for Maritime, Land and Aeronautical Applications|publisher=Springer|year=2006|url=https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9781441954367|isbn=9781402027840}}

:Wireless sensor networks are responsible for sensing noise, interference, and activity in data collection networks. This allows us to detect relevant quantities, monitor and collect data, formulate clear user displays, and to perform decision-making functions{{cite book|first=F.L.|last=Lewis|chapter=Wireless Sensor Networks.|title=Smart Environments: Technologies, Protocols, and Applications|publisher=John Wiley|location=New York|year=2004|pages=11–46|chapter-url=http://www.idc-online.com/technical_references/pdfs/electronic_engineering/WirelessSensorNetChap04.pdf|doi=10.1002/047168659X.ch2|isbn=9780471686590}}

Wireless data communications are used to span a distance beyond the capabilities of typical cabling in point-to-point communication and point-to-multipoint communication, to provide a backup communications link in case of normal network failure, to link portable or temporary workstations, to overcome situations where normal cabling is difficult or financially impractical, or to remotely connect mobile users or networks.

Peripheral devices in computing can also be connected wirelessly, as part of a Wi-Fi network or directly via an optical or radio-frequency (RF) peripheral interface. Originally these units used bulky, highly local transceivers to mediate between a computer and a keyboard and mouse; however, more recent generations have used smaller, higher-performance devices. Radio-frequency interfaces, such as Bluetooth or Wireless USB, provide greater ranges of efficient use, usually up to 10 feet, but distance, physical obstacles, competing signals, and even human bodies can all degrade the signal quality.{{cite journal|last=Paventi|first=Jared|title=How does a Wireless Keyboard Work?|journal=Ehow|date=26 October 2013}} Concerns about the security of wireless keyboards arose at the end of 2007 when it was revealed that Microsoft's implementation of encryption in some of its 27 MHz models were highly insecure.{{cite web |url=http://www.dreamlab.net/download/articles/27_Mhz_keyboard_insecurities.pdf |title=27Mhz Wireless Keyboard Analysis Report aka 'We know what you typed last summer' |last1=Moser |first1=Max |last2=Schrödel |first2=Philipp |date=5 December 2007 |access-date=6 February 2012 |archive-date=23 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123043010/http://www.dreamlab.net/download/articles/27_Mhz_keyboard_insecurities.pdf |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|Wireless energy transfer}}

Wireless energy transfer is a process whereby electrical energy is transmitted from a power source to an electrical load that does not have a built-in power source, without the use of interconnecting wires. There are two different fundamental methods for wireless energy transfer. Energy can be transferred using either far-field methods that involve beaming power/lasers, radio or microwave transmissions, or near-field using electromagnetic induction.{{cite journal|last=Jones|first=George|title=Future Proof: How Wireless Energy Transfer Will Kill the Power Cable.|website=MaximumPC|date=14 September 2010}} Wireless energy transfer may be combined with wireless information transmission in what is known as Wireless Powered Communication.{{cite book|author1=Dusit Niyato|author2=Lotfollah Shafai|title=Wireless-Powered Communication Networks|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iQhQDQAAQBAJ|accessdate=17 April 2021|year=2017|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-107-13569-7|page=329}} In 2015, researchers at the University of Washington demonstrated far-field energy transfer using Wi-Fi signals to power cameras.{{Cite web|title=First Demonstration of a Surveillance Camera Powered by Ordinary Wi-Fi Broadcasts|url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2015/06/03/167817/first-demonstration-of-a-surveillance-camera-powered-by-ordinary-wi-fi-broadcasts/|access-date=20 November 2020|website=MIT Technology Review|language=en}}

New wireless technologies, such as mobile body area networks (MBAN), have the capability to monitor blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level, and body temperature. The MBAN works by sending low-powered wireless signals to receivers that feed into nursing stations or monitoring sites. This technology helps with the intentional and unintentional risk of infection or disconnection that arise from wired connections.{{cite news |last1=Linebaugh |first1=Kate |title=More Hospital Medical Devices to Go Wireless |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304065704577422633456558976 |access-date=13 May 2022 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=23 May 2012 |url-access=subscription}}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Cellular networks: 0G, 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G
• Cordless telephony: DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications)
• Land Mobile Radio or Professional Mobile Radio: TETRA, P25, OpenSky, EDACS, DMR, dPMR
• List of emerging technologies
• Radio station in accordance with ITU RR (article 1.61)
• Radiocommunication service in accordance with ITU RR (article 1.19)
• Radio communication system
• Short-range point-to-point communication: Wireless microphones, Remote controls, IrDA, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), TransferJet, Wireless USB, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications), EnOcean, Near Field Communication
• Wireless sensor networks: Zigbee, EnOcean; Personal area networks, Bluetooth, TransferJet, Ultra-wideband (UWB from WiMedia Alliance).
• Wireless networks: Wireless LAN (WLAN), (IEEE 802.11 branded as Wi-Fi and HiperLAN), Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN) and (LMDS, WiMAX, and HiperMAN)

{{div col end}}

{{div col}}

• Comparison of wireless data standards
• Digital radio
• Hotspot (Wi-Fi)
• ISO 15118 (Vehicle to Grid)
• Li-Fi
• MiFi
• Mobile (disambiguation)
• Radio antenna
• Radio resource management (RRM)
• Timeline of radio
• Tuner (radio)
• Wireless access point
• Wireless security
• Wireless Wide Area Network (True wireless)
• WSSUS model

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{div col}}

• {{cite book | first=Jim | last= Geier | title=Wireless LANs | publisher=Sams | year=2001 | isbn=0-672-32058-4}}
• {{cite book | first=Andrea | last=Goldsmith | title=Wireless Communications | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2005 | isbn=0-521-83716-2}}
• {{cite book | first1=Erik | last1=Larsson | first2=Petre | last2=Stoica | title=Space-Time Block Coding For Wireless Communications | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2003 }}
• {{cite book | first=Andreas | last=Molisch | title=Wireless Communications | publisher=Wiley-IEEE Press | year=2005 | isbn=0-470-84888-X | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/wirelesscommunic0000moli }}
• {{cite book | first1=Kaveh | last1=Pahlavan | first2=Prashant | last2=Krishnamurthy | title=Principles of Wireless Networks – a Unified Approach | publisher=Prentice Hall | year=2002 | isbn=0-13-093003-2}}
• {{cite book | first1=Kaveh | last1=Pahlavan | first2=Allen H | last2=Levesque | title=Wireless Information Networks | publisher=John Wiley & Sons | year=1995 | isbn=0-471-10607-0}}
• {{cite book | title=Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice | first=Theodore | last=Rappaport | publisher=Prentice Hall | year=2002 | isbn=0-13-042232-0}}
• {{cite book | title=The Wireless Internet Explained | publisher=Digital Press | year=2001 | first=John | last=Rhoton | isbn=1-55558-257-5}}
• {{cite book | first1=David | last1=Tse | first2=Pramod | last2=Viswanath | title=Fundamentals of Wireless Communication | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2005 | isbn=0-521-84527-0}}

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{{Wiktionary}}

• [https://www.histv.net/histoire-de-la-t-s-f-et-de-la-radio Bibliography - History of wireless and radio broadcasting]
• {{Wikibooks inline|Nets, Webs and the Information Infrastructure}}
• [https://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2018/02/sir-jagadis-chandra-bose-the-man-who-almost-invented-the-radio-.html Sir Jagadis Chandra Bose - The man who (almost) invented the radio]

{{Telecommunications}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:History of radio

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