Eli5: What component in eletonics like cellphones and computers actually “receives” and “emits” wifi signals? What is wi-fi in terms of physics?
In: Physics
The electronic component that receives and emits signals in therms of physics is called antenna. The space around the antenna is filled with electromagnetic waves. If WiFi is receiving then those waves manifest themselves on the antenna as a changing voltage pattern – this voltage pattern is being read. Received signal is very weak and needs amplification as well as many processing and analysis steps to be understood.
If WiFi is emitting then the voltage pattern on antenna is being forced by the WiFi chip itself. The power of emitted signal must be very large, because the signal will loose much of it as it traverses space in the form of electromagnetic wave.
Honestly, in terms of physics WiFi is not much different that a basic FM radio. The real power of WiFi protocols are in the way that they form EM signals – those voltage patterns – which allows them to stuff as much information in them as possible.
Latest Answers