Top Wireless Communication Challenges
Introduced in the 19th century, the term wireless communication has developed quite a lot over these years as it serves as a medium of transmission of data from one device to another device.
Redeeming everyone from the tangled mesh of wires, Wireless Communication has given a new lease into the lives of people while providing wider connectivity.
Providing tether-less connectivity between people and the Internet, Wireless Communications have transformed and created a fully connected society wherein the user is enabled to communicate even from remote operated areas.
Over the last decade, we have seen a wide variety of launches in the field of wireless communication and its related devices ranging from mobiles, Zigbee wireless technology, GPS, satellite television, Wi-Fi and the latest being wireless computer parts.
Mobile Broadband (MBB) access to the Internet has turned out to be one of the dominating themes of wireless communications with the recent introduction of various advanced transmission technologies like MIMO, multicarrier transmission, channel-adaptive transmission, etc.
Fueled by the extensive demand for extremely high-data-rate services, along with emerging technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0 applications, their integration brings a new set of technical Wireless Communication Challenges to the surface.
Therefore, to effectively achieve a high data rate, massive connectivity, and seamless coverage, highly innovative technological solutions are required to address the Wireless Communication Challenges.
Regardless, before talking about the various types of Wireless Communication Challenges that need to be addressed below, let’s take a short tour to understand what wireless communication is all about and the need for reliance on connectivity through wireless means.
Understanding Wireless Communications
Introduced in the 19th century, the term wireless communication has developed quite a lot over these years as it serves as a medium of transmission of data from one device to another device.
Leveraging this technology, one can transmit information through the air without requiring any cable or wires.
Since one can easily transfer data by utilizing electromagnetic waves like IR, RF, satellite, etc., the importance of Wireless Communication gains more ground.
Currently, Wireless Communication Technology is utilized in a variety of wireless communication devices and technologies that includes, smartphones, computers, tabs, laptops, printers and even Bluetooth technology.
Why do We Need Wireless Communication?
Since every technology is developed with the thought of creating a new way to solve the existing problems, so likewise as the name suggests, the wireless technology’s main goal was to get rid of lengthy wires.
The main advantage wireless communication provides its user is, therefore, mobility. As wireless communication provides flexibility and is very easy to use, the popularity of this technology spread much wider than expected.
Another point that makes wireless communications indispensable is its infrastructure cost-effectiveness.
Since the wired communication system requires an extensive set of proper infrastructure, it is a costly & time taking task whereas the installation of wireless communication infrastructure is very simple and requires much fewer costs than the wired one.
Wireless Communication Challenges
Now moving on to the Wireless Communication Challenges, let’s start with the most essential one, that includes,
Attenuation or Signal Loss
Presenting the most common Wireless Communication Challenges to the forefront, signal loss or reduced signal strength is a common issue when we consider wireless devices.
The farther the devices travel out of the network range, the more wireless signals begin to lose their strength. This eventually equates to attenuation of these signals leading to discrepancies in the working of the devices.
Bringing outdoor wireless signals in indoor settings isn’t as straightforward as it seems since once signals from outdoor transmitters attempt to come inside, they tend to be attenuated to the point that connectivity is no longer possible. Thus, adding to the list of Wireless Communication Challenges.
Network Densification
The last decade has seen one of the most rapid wireless devices launches every year as the demand for these devices is going up every second. And with the latest remote working coming into the picture after the latest lockdown period, the Wireless Devices market has seen one of the biggest jumps in their sales.
Since this rapid growth leads to network collision, which happens due to multiple devices attempting to transmit data at the same time, it creates a big hurdle in managing the task of avoiding these possible collisions, thereby creating another name in the Wireless Communication Challenges.
Movement or Time Variance
Mobility is one of the most inherent aspects of choosing a wireless communication device than wired ones so if that aspect gets susceptible then it will decrease the charm of wireless communication to the lowest degree.
Therefore, this presents another name in the Wireless Communication Challenges, as a reliable wireless system needs to support connectivity no matter where the users are, or how they are moving their devices.
Interference & Cybersecurity
In this era of cybercrimes where hackers are always looking forward to easy prey, the security of data especially through wireless means plays a paramount role in safeguarding the user’s privacy. To support high secrecy or sensitive applications, novel transmission technologies should be employed to facilitate and sometimes even enhance information secrecy.
Another Wireless Communication Challenges that we have to deal with is interference or multipath fading. As signals usually do not take a straight path while moving from the transmitter end to the receiver, they tend to bounce off nearby objects and reflect at different times that can result in signal deterioration and can cause fading.
