Originally designed to connect office computers into local area networks (or LANs), WiFi has become the go-to technology for short to medium-range wireless data communication and connection to the Internet. A WiFi network is inexpensive, easy to install, expandable, offers low latency (better than LMR), and excellent data rates. At first glance, they look ideal – but do WiFi networks really have what it takes to serve the needs of critical industries? In this lesson of the Tait Radio Academy, we discuss the pros and cons of WiFi.
These days, most people will be familiar with WiFi networks. A wide variety of devices can be made WiFi capable to connect to each other or to the Internet.
Laptops, mobile phones, radios and other devices can use WiFi to connect to business networks and applications.
WiFi hotspots can be added to machinery for off-loading performance data captured during operation. The ability of WiFi to form ad hoc connections means that temporary networks of devices can be created on the fly.
But while WiFi data rates may be impressive, its range is not. A typical configuration might reach no further than 50 meters indoors or 92 meters outdoors.
To get WiFi data coverage that matches LMR voice coverage networks of interconnected WiFi nodes – called mesh networks – are sometimes deployed. Meshed WiFi works well up to a certain network size, beyond which network overheads start to impact the data rates. To mitigate these impacts, the network may need substantial redesign (for example, by reducing the number of node inter-connections), which can compromise its resilience and may be both impractical and prohibitively expensive.
Moreover, WiFi is prone to interference, which can ruin its data rate. Bluetooth devices, remote vehicle starters, cordless phones and security cameras share the same radio frequencies as WiFi, all can cause interference. Moving machinery, which gets in the way of signals, or shifting a mobile WiFi hotspot to a blind spot can sabotage the data rate and undercut the reliability of WiFi communications.
Security is an issue for any wireless technology. Until recently WiFi has been more open to hacking than other technologies. In part, this is due to the popularity of WiFi for creating home area networks and public hotspots without turning on any security options or following good security practices.
Yet even with proper set-up and security hygiene, WiFi’s own security features have proved to be vulnerable.
Want to know more? For the full lesson, head over to the How to Choose the Right Communication Bearers course on the Tait Radio Academy, where you can learn about the pros and cons of WiFi, and also LMR, Satellite, and LTE.
The Tait Radio Academy is a free training resource, providing foundational education on a wide range of critical communications topics. From basic radio awareness to Industrial Control Systems, there is a range of material for people in both technical and non-technical roles.
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