| I like this table in the page very much: https://www.wiisfi.com/images/wifi-phy-table.jpg Basically, it shows how a different encoding scheme/modulation is used based on distance (1024-QAM 5/6 - BPSK 1/2) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_modulation), which is interesting! If we think about it, any WiFi adapter (in its most basic core functionality) is just the ability to send/receive radio at a specific frequency, and a modulation (send) and corresponding demodulation (receive) scheme on top of that. If the modulation/demodulation can be handled by a DSP, FPGA or fast-enough CPU, then all that's really required to create a WiFi device is that and the radio component, and then of course, there are devices like "Cantennas" that could give increased range, although loss of omnidirectionality is the trade-off there... Anyway, I never thought about the fact that different encoding methods are used relative to distance prior to reading this article (i.e., I learned something!) -- but it makes perfect sense now that I think about it! |
