Wi-Fi insights: little-known facts and emerging technologies

Wi-Fi is an essential part of our daily lives, but there’s a lot more to it than just connecting to the internet. From its surprising origins to its incredible capabilities, Wi-Fi is full of fascinating stories and facts that you might not know. Let’s dive into some of the most intriguing aspects of this ubiquitous technology.

1. the name “Wi-Fi” doesn’t mean anything
   Contrary to popular belief, “Wi-Fi” doesn’t stand for “Wireless Fidelity.” The name was simply chosen by a marketing firm to be catchy, like “Hi-Fi” for high-fidelity audio. It’s just a brand name!
2. Wi-Fi could be older than you think
   The group that developed the IEEE 802.11 standards, which Wi-Fi is based on, first met in 1990. That’s over 30 years ago!
3. the first Wi-Fi was invented by accident
   In parallel, Australian radio astronomer Dr. John O’Sullivan and his team were conducting research in the early 1990s that inadvertently contributed to the development of Wi-Fi technology. Their work on detecting mini black holes led to a key patent used in Wi-Fi.
4. Wi-Fi on mount everest
   Yes, even the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, has Wi-Fi! It was installed at Everest Base Camp, allowing climbers to stay connected with the world – even from 17,600 feet above sea level.
5. the future of Wi-Fi is underwater
   Researchers are working on “Aqua-Fi,” a Wi-Fi-like technology that would allow divers and underwater drones to communicate wirelessly underwater. This could revolutionise underwater exploration and research.
6. Wi-Fi signals can map indoor locations and detect movements
   Wi-Fi signals are incredibly versatile. Google Maps and other location services use them to map the inside of buildings, allowing your phone to pinpoint your exact location even when GPS signals are weak. Additionally, researchers have developed methods to use Wi-Fi signals to detect motion within a room, monitoring a person’s location, speed, and even their breathing rate without the need for cameras or sensors.
7. Wi-Fi can be used to power devices
   Some researchers have developed ways to harvest energy from Wi-Fi signals to power small devices like sensors and low-power electronics. This could lead to a future where your devices are powered wirelessly!
8. the fastest Wi-Fi ever recorded
   The fastest Wi-Fi speed ever recorded was an astonishing 100 Gbps (gigabits per second) by researchers in Germany. That’s over 10,000 times faster than the average home Wi-Fi speed!
9. distance record
   The Swedish Space Agency holds the record for the longest Wi-Fi transfer, achieving 420 kilometres (about 260 miles) using high-powered amplifiers.
   
10. Wi-Fi and Li-Fi integration
    The future of wireless connectivity might see the integration of Wi-Fi and Li-Fi (Light Fidelity). Li-Fi uses light waves instead of radio waves to transmit data, offering speeds up to 100 times faster than traditional Wi-Fi. This hybrid approach could provide ultra-fast, secure, and interference-free internet connections.