Radio, Microwave and Infrared most communication common frequencies

Communication frequencies have over the years been improved into higher frequencies that can reach greater distance with less power. The most common frequencies used in today's world are radio, microwave and infrared frequencies. Other frequencies available are Gamma ray frequencies, Ultraviolet frequencies and X-ray frequencies, not cut out for communication devices.

Radio frequency

Radio frequency or Radio communication is a technology that hails back to the 18^th century just a few decades after the invention of the telephone. Radio communication brought about by analog or digital signals transmitted in short wavelengths from a transmitter to a receiver or antennae. Radio technology was designed to integrate communication to radio communications such as television, radio receiver and other wireless networking. Today the transition of analog to digital has largely been embraced by emerging and developing countries, where transmission involves binary bits data received from a data signal or a digitization of an analog signal.

Infrared frequency

In estimation more than two billion people in the world have access to infrared transmissions either through their television sets or computer devices. How a big percentage of the world’s population is in access to infrared frequency transmission by the use of remote controls. Remote controls use infrared LED’s (light emitting diodes) to emit infrared radiation that is captured and transformed into a narrow beam through a plastic lens. By modulation the beam allows for encoding of data signals which the receiver (such as a television set) picks and converts the infrared radiation to an electric current. Where infrared transmission may lack in wide-range coverage, it compensates with zero interference with other devices as it does not penetrate walls, and is very useful for indoor use.

Infrared technology used to provide light through laser beams for optical fiber communication systems cannot be nearly emphasized. Transmission varies with the wavelength distance, 1,330 nautical miles giving the least dispersion and 1,550 nautical miles giving the best transmission.

Microwave Radio frequency

Transmissions in broadcast and telecommunication had all along used the Radio frequency infrastructure with longer wavelengths and lower frequencies. This translated to limited bandwidth in the radio frequency bandwidth. A shorter wavelength with a higher bandwidth was introduced – Microwave radio. Microwaves are used in OB vans (specially equipped utility van for transmission in remote locations).

Standards in the grand scheme of things

In practice,it is imperative that standards are part of the grand scheme of things.Standards are a stringent guide to help communication systems operate in an insured and regulated environment.Systems can interact with each other following similar standards without vested interests inculcated in the standards stipulated. However,standardized committees both in the US (IEEE) and Europe (ETSI) decided not to allow static standardization for all components in systems’ design. This allows room for innovation and production of dynamic communication systems.

In addition to the merits in standardization is the factor of economy. In its inception Wireless LAN technology that is in the bracket of Radio technology/wireless communications did not follow industry standards and was unlicensed. The first generation wireless LAN rolled out with no standards and needed specialized components for its systems which led to high operation costs for the company and a limitation to its performance and adoption in the market. This outcome initiated standards for the second generation wireless LAN whose aftermath did not disappoint. The IEEE 802.11 family of standards was created and became a reference point to the latest improvement of the IEEE 802.11a which is the standard for the 5GHZ wireless LAN band.