What if you could actually see Wi-Fi? It is something we all have wondered about. We can see the Wi-Fi routers in our homes and our offices, and we also know that somewhere around us are dozens of networks (just click on the Wi-Fi networks icon on your iPad or laptop) — but it is still hard to see how Wi-Fi, a technology so core to our modern connected experience, really works.
A few days ago, I came across an article by Nickolay Lamm (writing for MyDeals), who, working with M. Browning Vogel, Ph.D, took the data about Wi-Fi coverage areas on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and superimposed it on actual images. The result is five gorgeous visualizations that show us how Wi-Fi networks propagate and work in the real world. Take a look: (All photos appear courtesy of Lamm/Mydeals)
The first image is rubbish. 1) WiFi transmits @ 2.4 Ghz. The physical wavelength at that frequency is 12.5 cm (4.9 inches for those who don’t use the metric system yet). That image shows them about 6 foot tall!
2) Radio waves are generally polarised either horizontally or vertically (look at any roof-top TV antenna).. Most WiFi is vertical as this best suits omni-directional radiation patterns. The first image shows both vertical AND horizontal…
Two different devices?
Wavelength is the distance between the peaks, not the height.
Why do I spend time replying to rubbish comments like yours?
Get over yourself. This is as much art as it is ICT.
My experience as a user is that WiFi doesn’t travel as far or as consistently as the images portray. I am uncertain why that is. Could the cost of transmission be a factor?
I don’t think there is any technical justification behind these images
C’mon. Where are the tinfoil hat, lead-lined boxer shorts opinions, this morning?
Add to it all that pixs 1 & 2 are not DC;height restriction do no allow for those buildings; Central Park-NYC??
To be fair, you can see Rosslyn skyscrapers from most tourist points near the National Mall.
It would be kind of cool to see the impact of 802.11AC, where in theory, the antenna changes direction to follow the connected devices. In effect, we at least imagine that the signal bends to follow you, sort of like the eyes in the painting in the art museum. Just a thought….
Just wait for wifi to be the new asbestos…. Government, “we didnt know”
We are all baking, enjoy it now.
Signed, baked
Heh, wifi smog.