The Complicated History of Wireless Networking

📶Wireless communication has a long history, with techniques like spread spectrum emerging to minimize interference.

🕹️In the 1980s, the FCC allowed the use of spread spectrum without a license, leading to new applications of wireless technology.

📡The 802.11 working group was formed in 1990 to create a wireless standard, and the first 802.11 standard was published in 1997.

🌐In 1998, 802.11b was introduced, supporting an 11 Mbps data rate and playing a role in popularizing wireless networking.

💻Apple's iBook was one of the systems that helped bring wireless networking to the consumer market.

When did wireless communication first emerge?

—Wireless communication techniques, like spread spectrum, first emerged in the late 19th century.

What was the role of spread spectrum in World War II?

—Spread spectrum was utilized during World War II for secret communication, as it provided advantages for secrecy and avoided radio jamming.

When was the first wireless standard published?

—The first 802.11 wireless standard was published in 1997.

What data rate did 802.11b support?

—802.11b supported an 11 Mbps data rate.

Which system played a role in popularizing wireless networking in the consumer market?

—Apple's iBook played a role in popularizing wireless networking in the consumer market.

00:00Wireless networking involves breakthroughs, setbacks, and struggles.

01:20Spread spectrum, a technique to minimize interference, was utilized during World War II.

02:01The 802.11 working group was formed in 1990 to create a wireless standard.

08:50The first 802.11 wireless standard was published in 1997.

09:20802.11b, supporting an 11 Mbps data rate, was introduced in 1998.