Wireless has displaced Ethernet and other wired technologies as the most common way that consumer and enterprise devices connect to the internet and resources such as the cloud. That trend means it’s important to understand the basics of cellular and Wi-Fi® network architecture.
Wi-Fi®
Whether it’s in an office or on the factory floor, an enterprise Wi-Fi® local area network (WLAN) typically has the following hardware components:
- As its name implies, the wireless access point (AP) provides the smartphone, laptop, or Internet of Things (IoT) device with access to the network and everything it connects to. The more bands that an AP supports, the better able it is to provide a reliable, high-performance connection in congested environments where dozens or hundreds of devices are competing for a finite amount of Wi-Fi® spectrum.
- The network interface card (NIC) typically is embedded in devices and enables them to communicate with the AP. A NIC that supports the latest Wi-Fi® standards (Wi-Fi® 6 or 7) ensures better performance.
- The antenna enables NICs and APs to communicate with each other, which means it plays a critical role in the quality and reliability of the connection and the data that flows over it. Many APs, routers, and devices have embedded antennas, but external antennas often are added to maximize range and performance. Directional antennas focus the signal in specific directions, while omnidirectional antennas blanket a wide area. Wi-Fi® standards are an important consideration when choosing an antenna. For example, Wi-Fi® uses the 6 GHz band to maximize throughput, so it’s important to choose an antenna that supports that band for bandwidth-intensive applications such as surveillance camera backhaul. (For a deeper dive into bands, directionality, and other aspects, see “Selecting the Right Wi-Fi® Antenna for Industrial Applications: A Comprehensive Guide,” which is applicable to non-industrial applications, too.)
- The router assigns IP addresses to connected devices, directs traffic, and incorporates security features like firewalls and encryption protocols. Many routers have embedded APs.
- Larger networks often use switches to connect multiple wired and wireless devices and manage their traffic. For instance, a switch can connect desktop computers and printers to Ethernet while providing Wi-Fi® access for laptops.
- Cables and connectors are important hardware in Wi-Fi® networks, such as connecting APs to switches. (For an overview of the major types and top considerations, see “RJ45 Connectors for Cat5 vs. Cat6: What’s the Difference?”)
Cellular
Businesses typically own and operate their Wi-Fi network. Some are now applying that model to cellular with private 4G and 5G networks, whose components can be divided into two areas:
- The radio access network (RAN) consists of the cell sites, also known as base stations. 5G standards support a wider range of spectrum than 4G, such as the millimeter wave (mmWave) bands that provide gigabit speeds but cover a smaller geographic area than lower frequencies. As a result, spectrum bands are an important consideration when choosing an antenna for 4G and 5G devices. (For a deeper dive, see “4G vs. LTE vs. 5G: How Mobile Technology is Evolving” and “Enhancing Connectivity: The Role of Multi-Band Cellular Antennas in Expanding Network Coverage.”)
- The core network consists of nodes such as packet gateways that connect the RAN to the internet and to other mobile networks. These nodes are akin to the switches and routers in a Wi-Fi network.
There are three options for implementing a private cellular network:
- Build and operate both the core network and RAN, just like a public wireless carrier. For example, many utility companies own and operate private CDMA, GRPS, and now LTE networks to support applications such as automated meter reading (AMR).
- Lease a virtual, private slice of a mobile operator’s public 4G or 5G network. The business gets exclusive access to this slice, so its data doesn’t mix with traffic from the operator’s other customers. This eliminates the expense and expertise of building and operating a network while still providing autonomy and control.
- A hybrid, where the business owns the network at its facilities but uses a private slice of a public network elsewhere. An example is a logistics provider whose trucks, trailers, and shipping containers use its private network at its warehouses and ports. When those assets leave those facilities, they switch to the private slice of the public network.
With all three options, one key consideration is whether to use 4G or 5G. The decision comes down to application requirements such as device costs, data rates, latency, and standards roadmaps. (For a deeper dive into deciding between 4G and 5G, see “Going the Distance: LTE 450 Enables Long-Range Mission-Critical Communications for the Long Haul.”)
