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What is a Wireless Transmitter?

R. Kayne
R. Kayne

Devices designed to exchange data without using wires require two basic components: a wireless transmitter and paired receiver. The wireless transmitter might broadcast using radio frequency (RF) waves, or it might transmit data on the infrared (IR) wavelength. The paired receiver listens for the signal accordingly. Some examples of products that use a wireless transmitter include routers, computers, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and wireless headphones.

The home or office wireless local area network (WLAN) includes a router with an integrated wireless transmitter and receiver. Most routers also have a built in modem so that a single, high-speed Internet account can be shared with all connected computers. Instead of Ethernet cabling connecting the computers, each machine has a wireless network card (or wireless adapter) with its own transmitter and receiver on board. Now an individual computer can transmit a request for data, for example, to the router, and the router can receive the request, forward it to the right party, then transmit the return reply.

A wireless router.
A wireless router.

The broadcast range for a WLAN varies depending on the building (some materials block RF signals), the hardware and the wireless standard being used, but generally starts at about a 300-foot (91.4m) radius. A different type of wireless network is used to connect devices across short distances of less than 30 feet (9.1m).

Bluetooth® technology is standard on most personal electronics today, including cell phones and PDAs. Bluetooth®-enabled products incorporate a wireless transmitter and receiver to communicate with one another using Bluetooth® standards. The type of network created is called a personal area network (PAN).

A Bluetooth® dongle that transmits signals wirelessly.
A Bluetooth® dongle that transmits signals wirelessly.

Since a PAN is designed to use with battery-operated devices, it is not as robust as a WLAN, as the strength it would take to broadcast over large distances would drain the batteries too quickly. The advantage of a PAN, however, is that it is extremely simple to get two devices talking to each other, with just a few clicks, and distance isn’t an issue when sending files from one personal device to another.

Bluetooth refers to short-range wireless connections between devices.
Bluetooth refers to short-range wireless connections between devices.

Bluetooth® can be used to send print jobs wirelessly from a laptop to a printer, for example, or to send files from one cell phone to another. You might also synchronize your PDA with your computer using Bluetooth® to rid yourself of the clutter created by a cradle or docking station. Bluetooth® adapters are available for computers and printers that don’t have this capability built in. Most adapters take the form of a USB dongle or key, as a wireless transmitter and receiver can be very small.

Products that use a wireless transmitter include wireless headphones.
Products that use a wireless transmitter include wireless headphones.

While PANs and WLANs use RF waves, wireless headphones use RF or infrared, depending on the model. In either case the wireless transmitter is cabled directly to the audio source, such as a television or home entertainment receiver using auxiliary audio-out ports. The transmitter then broadcasts the stereo audio signals wirelessly to a paired set of headphones that include a receiver. This eliminates a cord running from the headphones to the audio source.

Wireless headphones are extremely convenient, but there are some considerations. RF models can have problems with electrical interference, while infrared or IR models require line-of-sight operation. Some models also have on-board digital processing to create surround sound effects from the stereo signals fed to the transmitter.

Wireless products are available everywhere electronics are sold. Before purchasing personal electronics or office equipment, you might want to check that wireless technology is built-in, if applicable. Older or less expensive models might not include it.

Discussion Comments

letshearit

I think having our technology function off wireless transmitters is great. I love not having to tackle cords or worry about falling over all the wires I used to have connected to everything.

For those of us who love our wireless gadgets and plan on keeping them around, you can improve your signal performance by keeping your gadgetry away from anything metal. If you have a sleek metal bookcase, do not try and stand next to it and get a good signal, it really interferes.

The same thing goes with walls in a lot of cases. Nothing is worse than turning a corner and having your tablet cut out in the middle of your work.

Sara007

I have read that there are health concerns about having so many wireless transmitters around us everyday. I think it is pretty common knowledge that cell phones are considered a bad thing to have pressed against your head all day. This is because of the radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic energy that they emit. People have complained of headaches and nausea, and on the extreme end they believe that these signals can give people cancer.

Do you think that having all sorts of wireless transmitters, like WiFi in our homes, combined with wireless keyboards, mice, headphones and remote controllers is safe? Or do you think there is actually some danger to having all of this technology around us, sending out energy we intercept?

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    • A wireless router.
      A wireless router.
    • A Bluetooth® dongle that transmits signals wirelessly.
      By: Dan
      A Bluetooth® dongle that transmits signals wirelessly.
    • Bluetooth refers to short-range wireless connections between devices.
      By: V.R.Murralinath
      Bluetooth refers to short-range wireless connections between devices.
    • Products that use a wireless transmitter include wireless headphones.
      By: eyewave
      Products that use a wireless transmitter include wireless headphones.