Arduino Exam Revision

Arduino Exam Revision

Wireless Vs Wired Connections

 A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications.
The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.

Wireless Networks

Wireless Connections

Wireless Networks

Wireless networks, like Wi-Fi, use radio waves to connect devices without cables, allowing for mobility and convenient communication and internet access within a specific area, such as a home or office. 

Wireless Connections

Advantages - Mobility and Convenience

• Devices can connect from anywhere within range, allowing users to move freely.

• No need for physical cables, making it easier to connect new devices.

Wireless Connections

Advantages - Easy Installation and Scale

• No need to run cables through walls or floors, reducing installation costs and effort.

• Easy to expand—new devices can join the network without additional wiring.

Wireless Connections

Advantages - Flexibility

• Many devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, IoT devices) can connect at the same time.

• Useful in businesses, schools, and public places where multiple users need access.

Multiple Select

What are the best use-case environments for wireless networks?

• Large Areas such as school and university campus'

• Public Areas such as parks, cafes and airports

• Businesses requiring high-speed connections

• Modern Homes with people working from home

Wireless Connections

Use Cases - Public and Large-Scale Use

• Used in airports, shopping centers, and stadiums where wired networks are impractical.

• Enables guest access without requiring physical network ports.

• No physical cables, reducing trip hazards and making spaces more organized. Such as cafes or local spaces.

• Ideal for modern office spaces and homes.

Wireless Connections

Disadvantages - Security

• Easier for hackers to intercept data compared to wired networks.

• Needs encryption (WPA2/WPA3) and strong passwords for protection.

Wireless Connections

Disadvantages - Interference and Reliability

• Signals can be disrupted by walls, electronic devices, and other Wi-Fi networks.

• More susceptible to lag, making it less reliable than wired connections.

• The more users on the network the more interference is possible.

Wireless Connections

Disadvantages - Slower Speeds

• Even with modern Wi-Fi, wired networks generally provide faster data transfer speeds.

• High-bandwidth tasks (e.g., gaming, 4K streaming, cloud backups) perform better on a wired network.

Wireless Connections

Disadvantages - Limited Range

• Wireless signals weaken over distance, requiring range extenders or stronger routers.

• Large buildings may need multiple access points to ensure full coverage. Walls and objects interfere with signal strength and data packet loss.

Wireless Connections

Disadvantages - Higher Latency

• Not ideal for real-time applications like online gaming, stock trading, or video calls due to interference and speed loss over distance.

• Wired networks offer lower latency, making them better for time-sensitive tasks.

Multiple Choice

Why do Wireless networks have connection, latency and speed issues?

• Wireless signals can be affected by interference, distance, and obstacles

• They use physical cables, which slow down data transmission

• Connection issues are only caused by outdated hardware.
• Latency is solely due to the type of internet service provider.

Categorize

Options (10)

Mobility

Flexibility

Scale

Installation Cost

Convenient

Security

Interference

Reliability

Range

Latency

Organize these options into the right categories

Wireless Advantage

Wireless Disadvantage

1. Security Risks

2. Interference and Reliability

3. Slower Speed

4. Limited Range

5. Higher Latency / Lag

Disadvantages

1. Mobility and Convenience

2. Lower Cost

3. Easy to Install

4. Scale

5. Flexibility

Advantages

Wireless Networks

Wired Networks

Wired Connections

Advantages - Faster Speeds

• Wired networks offer higher data transfer speeds compared to wireless. This is due to the higher bandwith cables can provide compared to radio signals.

• Ideal for high-bandwidth activities like gaming, video editing, and large file transfers.

Wired Connections

Advantages - Reliable and Stable

• Not affected by signal interference from walls, devices, or other networks.

• Provides consistent performance with fewer connection drops.

Wired Connections

Advantages - Greater Security

• Less vulnerable to hacking because physical access is required.

• Data transmission is harder to intercept compared to wireless networks.

Wired Connections

Advantages - Lower Latency

• Reduces delays in online gaming, stock trading, and video conferencing.

• Ensures a smoother experience for applications requiring real-time responses. This is due to the higher speed but also data packet loss is lower.

Wired Connections

Advantages - Interference

• Unlike Wi-Fi, wired connections are not affected by radio signals, weather, or obstacles.

• Provides a stable connection in environments with heavy electronic interference.

Multiple Choice

A wired connection is:

• A wired connection is slower and less secure than a wireless connection.
• A wired connection is more prone to interference than a wireless connection.
• A wired connection is less reliable than a wireless connection.
• A wired connection is faster and more secure than a wireless connection.

Multiple Select

What are the advantages of a wireless network?

Select all answers that apply.

• Higher user capacity than wired connections.

• More mobility for users than wired connections.

• Less expensive to install and maintain.

• Network is more visible and can be affected by interference.

Wired Connections

disadvantages - Limited Mobility

• Devices must be physically plugged into the network, restricting movement as you are restricted by either cable availability or hardpoint availability (ethernet ports etc.).

• Not ideal for portable devices like smartphones, tablets, or laptops.

Wired Connections

disadvantages - Difficult and Costly Installation

• Requires running cables through walls, ceilings, or floors.

• Cables running on floors can be a trip hazard.

• Can be expensive and time-consuming to set up, especially in large buildings.

Wired Connections

disadvantages - Less Scalable

• Adding new devices requires extra cables, ports and other hardware, making expansion harder.

• Not practical for businesses or homes with frequent layout changes.

Wired Connections

disadvantages - Less Scalable

• Adding new devices requires extra cables, ports and other hardware, making expansion harder.

• Not practical for businesses or homes with frequent layout changes.

Categorize

Options (9)

Mobility

Installation

Scale

Speed

Reliability

Stability

Security

Latency

Interference

Organize these options into the right categories

Wired Advantages

Wired Disadvantages

1. Much more expensive to install, operate, and maintain.

2. lack of mobility.

3. Need to be professionally installed to avoid hazards with wires.

Disadvantages

1. Faster speeds, and fewer connection issues because of direct cable connection.

2. More secure / safer connection.

3. Requires less maintenance.

Advantages

Wired Connections

Let's check your knowledge

Open Ended

A company wants to setup a new venue for live esports contests but are unsure what type of network they need.

What would you recommend and why?

Justify your answer based on the advantages and disadvantages of each network.

The best solution for the esports venue would be to install …

This is because …

Wireless Network types

A mobile network is a telecommunications network where the link to and from end nodes (e.g. phones) is wireless and the network is distributed over land areas called cells, each served by at least one fixed-location transceiver or base station (mobile towers).

Wireless Vs Wired Connections

These base stations provide the cell with the network coverage which can be used for transmission of voice, data, and other types of content.

A cell typically uses a different set of frequencies from neighboring cells, to avoid interference and provide guaranteed service quality within each cell.

The signals from the base stations can be impacted by weather, location, and physical objects (buildings, landscapes, etc.).

Multiple Choice

Why do mountainous areas often have poor mobile network signals?

• Mobile networks do not work in high altitudes

• Mountains block signals from reaching the device

• Mobile networks only work in urban areas

• Phones cannot connect to satellites

1. Relies on mobile towers for the network (no network if you cannot connect to the towers).

2. Can be blocked or interfered with by buildings, landforms (e.g. mountains etc.)

3. Requires frequent maintenance.

Disadvantages

1. Covers a wide area.

2. Fast speeds (depending on location)

3. Reliable

Advantages

Mobile Connections

Open Ended

Explain why this base station is needed here for people down in the valley in the circled areas to receive a mobile signal?