What is WiFi: Understanding the Power of Wireless Connectivity

Wi-Fi, 

like Bluetooth, operates in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. These frequency bands are also part of the ISM spectrum and are globally available for unlicensed use. However, it's important to note that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth use different modulation and access techniques, even though they share the same frequency bands.

Here's an overview of Wi-Fi's operation in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands:

2.4 GHz Band: Wi-Fi networks using the 2.4 GHz band operate on channels spaced 5 MHz apart. In practice, only three non-overlapping channels (1, 6, and 11) can be used simultaneously without interference. Each channel has a bandwidth of 20 MHz. However, due to the overlap of channel frequencies, it is recommended to use only channels 1, 6, and 11 to maximize separation between Wi-Fi networks and minimize interference.

The 2.4 GHz band is widely used and can suffer from congestion due to various devices such as Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, and microwave ovens operating within the same frequency range. This congestion can potentially lead to interference and reduced Wi-Fi performance.

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is a wireless networking technology that allows devices to connect to a local area network (LAN) or the internet wirelessly. Wi-Fi operates based on a set of network protocols that define how data is transmitted and received over the wireless medium. The key network protocol used in Wi-Fi is the IEEE 802.11 standard.

The IEEE 802.11 standard encompasses a family of protocols that have evolved over time to support different data rates, frequencies, and features. Some of the notable protocols within the IEEE 802.11 family include:

802.11b: This was the first widely adopted Wi-Fi standard, operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. It supports a maximum data rate of 11 Mbps.

802.11a: This standard operates in the 5 GHz frequency band and provides higher data rates compared to 802.11b. It supports data rates up to 54 Mbps.

802.11g: Combining the best features of 802.11b and 802.11a, 802.11g operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and supports data rates up to 54 Mbps.

802.11n: This standard introduced multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, enabling higher data rates and improved range. It operates in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, supporting data rates up to 600 Mbps.

802.11ac: Also known as Wi-Fi 5, 802.11ac operates exclusively in the 5 GHz frequency band and introduces further improvements in data rates, channel bonding, and MIMO. It supports data rates up to several gigabits per second.

802.11ax: Also known as Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ax is the latest Wi-Fi standard designed to handle the increasing demand for wireless connectivity. It operates in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands and introduces technologies like orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) for more efficient multi-device communication. It supports data rates up to multiple gigabits per second.