Radio Communication Systems: Understanding The Different Types

Wireless or radio communication systems have reduced infrastructure costs and complexity. That goes for both commercial and industrial radio communication systems. Most designers prefer to use wireless than wireline communication systems. Wireless systems do not need miles of telephone line poles or cable trenches. A few radio towers in strategic positions can already allow transmission worldwide. Wireless systems are now more complex. It lets millions of people make phone calls or even receive feature-length movies. There are four general types of wireless communication systems.

Cellular systems

A cellular telephone system can either be analog or digital. The analog variety uses two standards. These are the AMPS and the GSM. AMPS stands for the advanced mobile phone system. GSM means the global system for mobile communication. These two are not compatible. There are digital variants in the deployment process but the cost is so expensive. High cellular carriers usually build the needed infrastructure in several stages. Carriers thought that the internet boom would be a great help. They hoped it would create consumer demand for wireless internet services. To their disappointment, this did not materialize. As a result, they slowed their deployment.

Point-to-point

These radio systems communicate between fixed locations. These are often used as a replacement for wireline systems. Almost any radio frequency can establish point-to-point systems. The development of most systems uses frequencies in the microwave spectrum of 800 MHz to 30 GHz.

Microwave

This fixed point-to-point service provides connectivity between major communication nodes. The service provides backup for cabled infrastructure and reaches remote locations. Microwave is a point-to-point service often used by telephone and long-distance companies. Public Safety agencies and businesses also use microwaves. They use these to connect 2-way radio transmitter sites to a central location.

Spread spectrum radio

This technology spreads the transmission over a group of radio frequencies. The most common technique is frequency hopping. The radio uses only one frequency at a time. There is a predetermined interval jump to another frequency. It provides a secure transmission. The other system spreads the transmission over several frequencies. This is all at the same time. It prevents interference from other users.

Basic 2-way radio

The military, various federal agencies, police, and local governments used this system first. The use expanded to almost every aspect of the social infrastructure. Air miles is the term used to express the coverage for all radio systems. The reason is that radio waves tend to travel in straight lines.

Wi-Fi and Wi-Max

Wi-Fi systems refer to generic point-to-multipoint data communication services. The general population and commercial enterprise can use the set frequencies. Licenses are not required. There is a restriction though. Systems should not exceed power or antenna height requirements. Wi-Max is a wide-area wireless system. It covers miles rather than feet. It provides coverage with broadband capabilities.