Video with Matthew Gast: The Value of High Quality Radio Components

Video with Matthew Gast: The Value of High Quality Radio Components

By CWNP On 09/06/2011 - 20 Comments

Radio technologies are probably the least understood aspect of Wi-Fi networking. Since I’m not a EE, I spend a good bit of my spare time trying to educate myself on topics like FFT, modulation and coding, radio components and architectures, etc. I’ve found that most online materials are a bit like Goldilocks’ experience…some are too much; others are too little. But if you keep looking, you’ll find one that is just right.

The material that is too light on details leaves you with excess questions. Conversely, the material that is too heavy on details assumes an advanced level of math skill that many of us don’t possess.
Finally, we find the bowl of porridge that is just right for learning (CWNA-level or thereabout). Thanks to Matthew Gast and Aerohive for sharing this video blog, and allowing me to repost. As valuable as written explanations can be, a first-hand visual demonstration/explanation sometimes cures the confusion. So if a picture is worth a thousand words, a motion picture destroys written language all together. :(
Spoiler alert: Matthew works for Aerohive, so you might hear a bit of Aerohive-ness in there… no fear, there’s some juicy RF content that is worth the watch. In the video, Matthew explains basic modulation types as a primer to an excellent explanation of QAM modulation and how high quality radio components can improve data rates and data reliability in a WLAN. He also talks about error vector magnitude (EVM). Now that is a $100 word that will impress your friends.
Matthew is also the king of cool shades. Check out this link before watching the video: http://media02.linkedin.com/media/p/1/000/0e0/056/3586565.jpg

Original Aerohive post here: http://blogs.aerohive.com/blog/the-wi-fi-security-blog/how-to-meet-the-ipad-demand-for-a-scad-of-wi-fi-signal-strength Tagged with: OFDM, radio, Modulation, QAM, error vector magnitude, Matthew Gast, Aerohive Networks, constellation

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