Kanika Sharma et al, / (IJCSIT) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technologies, Vol.

5 (6) , 2014, 7810-7813

A Study of Wireless Networks: WLANs, WPANs,

WMANs, and WWANs with Comparison
Kanika Sharma, Neha Dhir

Computer Science Department

D.A.V. College, Jalandhar, Punjab(INDIA)

Abstract- Wireless networks transfer data, such as e-mail LANs, and sometimes point-to-multipoint (connecting two
messages and files, in advancements with video and voice WLANs). In this, sending and receiving antenna must be
communications as well. As with networks based on wire, or properly aligned for proper transmission.
optical fiber, wireless networks convey information between An example of a directional antenna is a Yagi antenna: this
computer devices. Wireless networking is the new technology of
networking. People can enjoy the benefits of wireless network
antenna allows you to adjust the direction and focus of the
where they live and work. This paper describes the wireless signal to strengthen the range/reach.
networks, evaluating their main standards and behavior,
including the transmission methods, device types.

Keywords- Wireless networks- WLANs, WPANs, WMANs,

and WWANs.

I. INTRODUCTION
Wireless network is a network through which data
signals flow through the air. It’s useful for people to
communicate and access applications and information
without wires. It allows people to interact with e-mail or
browse the Internet from a location that they prefer.
Wireless networks are not bound to a channel to follow like
wired networks.
Wireless networking is less expensive and much easier to
Fig. 1 Directional antennas
install than more traditional wired networking. Wireless
networking is used at the airport, or in hotel lobbies, and a B. Omni-directional antennas
small office or home network etc. The transmitted distance Omni-directional antennas are used in point-to-
can be anywhere between a few meters as a television’s multipoint configurations, where they distribute the
remote control and thousands of kilometers as radio wireless signal to other computers or devices in WLAN. An
communication. access point would use an Omni-directional antenna. These
antennas can also be used for point-to-point connections. In
II. BASIC FACTORS OF WIRELESS NETWORKS this, signal is spread in all directions and can be received by
Wireless media uses the antennas for sending and any antenna which is compatible to receive the signals.
receiving the electromagnetic waves without using any
physical conductors. Radio frequencies (RF) are generated
by antennas that propagate the waves into the air.
Antennas for wireless transmission can be fall under two
different categories:

A. Directional antennas
Directional antennas are commonly used in point-to-
point configurations connecting two distant buildings Fig. 2 Omni-directional antennas

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Three main factors influence signal distortion (changing channel. Complementary Code Keying (CCK) is a
forms of signals): method for encoding transmissions for higher data rates,
1) Absorption Objects such as 5.5 and 11 Mbps, but it still allows backward
that absorb the RF waves, such as walls, ceilings, and compatibility with the original 802.11 standard, which
floors. supports only 1 and 2 Mbps speeds.
2) Scattering Objects 2) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing: OFDM
that scatter the RF waves, such as rough plaster on a increases data rates by using a spread spectrum
wall, carpet on the floor, or drop-down ceiling tiles. modulation.
3) Reflection Objects 3) Multiple Input Multiple Output: MIMO transmission,
that reflect the RF waves, such as metal and glass. which uses DSSS and/or OFDM by spreading its signal
4) Responsible factors for manage the RF across 14 overlapping channels at 5 MHz intervals. It
The International Telecommunication Union-Radio requires multiple antennas.
Communication Sector (ITU-R) is responsible for
managing the radio frequency (RF) spectrum and satellite B. WPANS: Wireless Personal Area Networks
orbits for wireless communications: its main purpose is to The two current technologies for wireless personal area
provide for cooperation and coexistence of standards and networks are Infra Red (IR) and Bluetooth. However, IR
implementations across country boundaries. requires a direct line of site and the range is less. WPANs
are used to convey information over short distances (about
III. TYPES OF WIRELESS NETWORKS 30 feet) among a private, intimate group of participant
There are different types of wireless networks available. devices. Unlike a wireless local area network (WLAN), a
A. WLANS: Wireless Local Area Networks connection made through a WPAN involves little or no
It allows users in a local area, such as a university infrastructure or direct connectivity to the world outside the
campus or library, to form a network or gain access to the link. This allows small, power-efficient, inexpensive
internet. A temporary network can be formed by a limited solutions to be implemented for a wide range of devices.
number of users without the need of an access point; given
that they do not need access to network resources.

Fig. 3 Wireless Local Area Network

Fig. 4 Wireless Personal Area Network

Two standards bodies are primarily responsible for Three standards bodies are primarily responsible for
implementing WLANs: implementing WPANs:
1) IEEE 802.11
1) Bluetooth: A widely used WPAN technology is known
It’s a non-profit organization that provides actions to co- as Bluetooth (version 1.2 or version 2.0) The IEEE
ordinate produce and promote data networking standards. It 802.15.1 standard specifies the architecture and operation
defines the mechanical process of how WLANs are
of Bluetooth devices, but only as far as physical layer
implemented in the 802.11 standards so that vendors can and medium access control (MAC) layer operation is
create compatible products. It specifies security association concerned (the core system architecture).Higher protocol
management and key management as well as access
layers and applications defined in usage profiles are
control, data confidentiality and data integrity. standardized by the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interests
2) The Wi-Fi Alliance
Group).
It’s basically certifies companies by ensuring that their
2) ZigBee Alliance: ZigBee technology is simpler (and less
products follow the 802.11 standards, thus allowing expensive) than Bluetooth. The main objectives of LR-
customers to buy WLAN products from different vendors
WPANs (Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Networks)
without having to be concerned about any compatibility like ZigBee are ease of installation, reliable data transfer,
issues. short-range operation, extremely low cost, and a
 Transmission Method used in WLAN reasonable battery life, while maintaining a simple and
1) Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum: DSSS uses one flexible protocol. The raw data rate will be high enough
channel to send data across all frequencies within that

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 Kanika Sharma et al, / (IJCSIT) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technologies, Vol. 5 (6) , 2014, 7810-7813

(maximum of 250 Kbit/s) to satisfy a set of simple needs The standard specifies the air interface, including the
such as interactive toys, but is also scalable down to the medium access control (MAC) and physical (PHY) layers,
needs of sensor and automation needs (20 Kbit/s or of BWA. The key development in the PHY layer includes
below) using wireless communication. orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), in
which multiple access is achieved by assigning a subset of
 LR-WPAN device types sub carriers to each individual user [1]. In an OFDM
Two different device types can participate in an LR- system, the data is divided into multiple parallel sub
WPAN network: streams at a reduced data rate, and each is modulated and
I. Full-function devices: FFD can operate in three modes transmitted on a separate orthogonal sub carrier. This
serving as a personal area network (PAN) Coordinator, increases symbol duration and improves system robustness.
a coordinator, or a device.
II. Reduced-function devices: RFD is intended for D. WWANS: Wireless Wide Area Networks
applications that are extremely simple. These types of networks can be maintained over large
areas, such as cities or countries, via multiple satellite
3) UWB (Ultra Wideband) over IEEE 802.15.3: UWB has systems or antenna sites looked after by an ISP. These
recently attracted much attention as an indoor short-range types of systems are referred to as 2nd Generation systems.
high-speed wireless communication. [7]. One of the most
exciting characteristics of UWB is that its bandwidth is
over 110 Mbps (up to 480 Mbps) which can satisfy most
of the multimedia applications such as audio and video
delivery in home networking and it can also act as a
wireless cable replacement of high speed serial bus such
as USB 2.0.

C. WMANS: Wireless Metropolitan Area Network

This technology allows the connection of multiple
networks in a metropolitan area such as different buildings
in a city, which can be an alternative or backup to laying
copper or fiber cabling.

Fig. 6 Wireless Wide Area Networks

1) CDPD: Cellular Digital Packet Data is a technique used

for transmitting small units of data, commonly referred to
as packets, over the cellular network in a reliable manner.
It allows to send and receive data from anywhere in the
cellular coverage area at any time, quickly and
efficiently. CDPD technology provides extensive, high
speed, high capacity, cost effective data services to
mobile users. With this technology, both voice and data
can be transmitted over existing cellular channels.
Fig. 5 Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks To effectively integrate voice and data traffic on the
cellular system without degrading the level of service
One standard body is primarily responsible for provided to the voice customer, the CDPD network
implementing WMANs: implements a technique called channel hopping.
1) IEEE 802.16 WiMAX: Worldwide Interoperability for 2) 3G: Third-generation (3G) is the term for the latest
Microwave Access (WiMAX) is a recent wireless generation of mobile services, which provide advanced
broadband standard that has promised high bandwidth voice communications and high-speed data connectivity,
over long-range transmission. It is a radio frequency including access to the Internet, mobile data applications,
technology that uses licenses and unlicensed bands to and multimedia content. The International
provide wireless connections for non line-of-sight real Telecommunications Union (ITU), working with
implementations with speed up to 40 mbps per channel industry-standards groups from around the world, has
and a cell radius up to 10 kilometers for fixed and defined the technical requirements and standards as well
portable access situations. In the Line-Of-Sight, WiMAX as the spectrum for 3G systems under the International
can provide link distance up to 50 kilometers. Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) program.

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 Kanika Sharma et al, / (IJCSIT) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technologies, Vol. 5 (6) , 2014, 7810-7813

Type Coverage Performance Standards Applications

Wireless PAN Within reach of a person

Wireless Within reach of a
Moderate Moderate Bluetooth, IEEE 802.15, and IrDa Cable replacement for peripherals
PAN person
Cable replacement for peripherals

Wireless Within a building Mobile extension of wired

High IEEE 802.11, Wi-Fi, and HiperLAN
LAN or campus networks

Wireless Fixed wireless between homes

Within a city High Proprietary, IEEE 802.16, and WIMAX
MAN and businesses and the Internet

Wireless Mobile access to the Internet from

Worldwide Low CDPD and Cellular 2G, 2.5G, and 3G
WAN outdoor areas
Fig. 5 Comparison of Wireless Network Types

IV. COMPARISON that the manufacturers of wireless communication have to

Here in fig 5. we compare four types of wireless networks: designed and launch the products into an increasingly
WLANs, WPANs, WMANs and WWANs based on IEEE uncertain environment, and it must be more flexible than
standards. The coverage area of the WLAN and WPAN is older technology.
very limited as compare to WWAN and WMAN. But the
performances of the limited coverage area networks are REFERENCES
better than the WWANs. [1] Most of the slides of this lecture come from prof. Jochen Schiller’s
didactical material for the book “Mobile Communications”, Addison
Wesley.
[2] Fundamental of wireless communication by David Tse and Pramod
V. LIMITATIONS Viswanath
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[6] Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing Dr Yi Pan,
Georgia State University, USA, http://www.cs.gsu.edu/pan/
VI. CONCLUSIONS [7] "Professor Andreas F. Molisch’’ Department of Electrical
This paper describes the types of wireless networks, finally Engineering – Systems EEB 530 Hughes Aircraft Electrical
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