Wireless Technologies

Question 1

Define infrared

Answer 1

Operates over a short range but can’t get through walls and other obstructions

Question 2

Define Bluetooth

Answer 2

Wireless technology that permits wireless connection between electronic devices across short distances

Question 3

Define wifi

Answer 3

Technology that permits wireless connection between electronic devices to share data or to access the internet

Question 4

What is infrared technology based on?

Answer 4

The use of low-frequency light waves, that have a short range of approximately 5 metres.

Question 5

What does the infrared transmitter need to be in line with?

Answer 5

In a line of sight with the device that it controls as it cannot get through walls or other obstructions

Question 6

Give examples of what infrared technology is used in a gym for?

Answer 6

Personal headsets—> used by members to receive sound from the TV/Entertainment systems from exercise machines

Remote controllers–> Used by staff to set up TV and entertainment in the gym

File transfer communication–>Between mobile devices/smartphones

Laptop peripherals–>infrared mouse used by members to access their online account

Question 7

Give the benefits and limitations of using infrared technology

Answer 7

Benefits:
•High security as signal is short range and directional so unlikely to be intercepted
•Low interference from other devices so it can be used for high quality sound reproduction, •Low power usage so ideal for smartphones, headphones and remote controllers

Limitations:
•Line of sight requires the transmitter and receiver to be directly aligned for communication
•Limited range so performance drops off above 5 metres
•Signal speed low compared to wired transmissions

Question 8

What is Bluetooth technology used for?

Answer 8

Mainly to connect mobile electronic devices automatically once they are in range

Question 9

What does Bluetooth technology operate on?

Answer 9

Low-power short-wave radio signals that are roughly in range of approximately 10 metres

Question 10

What is bluetooth widely used for?

Answer 10

To connect peripherals such as mice or keyboards to smartphones or tablet computer devices.

Question 11

What connection is a Bluetooth device?

Answer 11

A peer-to-peer paired connection, so it needs to be paired before it can start communication. Once a device has been paired successfully, it will automatically communicate if in range and both are turned on

Question 12

How can Bluetooth be used in a leisure centre?

Answer 12

• Synchronisation of data between two devices
• Wearable heart rate monitor (communicates with the gym equipment using Bluetooth and displays heart rate of member)
• Linking peripherals to mobile devices (Members can link peripherals to their mobile devices to make them easier to use)

Question 13

Give the benefits and limitations of using Bluetooth technology

Answer 13

Benefits:
•Low power usage so ideal for battery powered operated devices, such as: tablet computers, smartphones, mice and keyboards
•Automatic connection with Bluetooth devices once they have been paired

Limitations:
•Battery life can be reduced by switching OFF the device when data transmission is completed
•Signal speed lower than the speed that can be achieved with Wi-Fi and infrared transmissions

Question 14

What is wifi technology?

Answer 14

A technology that permits wireless connection between electronic devices to share data or to access the internet

Question 15

What does a wifi router act as?

Answer 15

A wireless access point to provide network access to a variety of mobile devices

Question 16

What area does a LAN (local area network) do?

Answer 16

Operates over a small area such as a single building or group of buildings

Question 17

Give examples of how wifi can be used in a leisure centre

Answer 17

• Personal use- members can use the wifi to carry out several tasks such as using social media, email or browsing the internet
• Member profile-Members can long on and view their personal profile to get details of performance and attendance, and book classes
• Progress Leisure website- members can browse the public area of the leisure centre website to find out details of upcoming events and view gym equipment videos

Question 18

Give benefits and limitations of wifi technology

Answer 18

•Benefits:
-Connections can be made without the need for wires, which makes a network more flexible due to changing requirements and is useful where it is not possible to fix wires
•Limitations:
-The signal range is dependent upon distance from the router, and an obstruction such as thick walls can cause poor signal reception or a weak connection