As 2014 is ending today, this makes it the perfect day to do a recap of the first season of Make Wi-Fi Visible. This series of articles is aimed to explain Wi-Fi concepts using the light analogy.

The first season focused on the major Radio Frequency (a.k.a. RF) properties. Since both Wi-Fi and light are made of electromagnetic waves, the idea was to use light to have a visual idea of what these RF properties are and how they can affect our Wi-Fi networks.

Here is a recap of each episode. Feel free to click on the links provided to read the full episodes. Comments and feedbacks are always welcomed :)!

As of today, I am happy to announce that season #2 of Make Wi-Fi Visible will be released in 2015! This second series of articles will focus on antennas.

Happy new year 2015!
Bonne année à tous!



Written by François Vergès

As we all know, Wi-Fi is amazing. The only thing is... it’s invisible.

So let’s start by explaining what makes Wi-Fi invisible? Wi-Fi uses radio frequencies electromagnetic waves to transfer information. These waves have wavelengths that are not within the visible space.

Light is also an electromagnetic wave. However, its wavelength is within the visible spectrum (between 330 nm and 700 nm). This is what make the light visible to the human eye. In fact, any electromagntic radiation having a wavelength between 330 nm and 700 nm is called “light” or to be precise “visible light”.

This means that we can explain Wi-Fi concepts using light analogies. In this set of articles, that is what we are going to do using simple drawings.

As we all know, Wi-Fi is amazing. The only thing is... it’s invisible.

So let’s start by explaining what makes Wi-Fi invisible? Wi-Fi uses radio frequencies electromagnetic waves to transfer information. These waves have wavelengths that are not within the visible space.

Light is also an electromagnetic wave. However, its wavelength is within the visible spectrum (between 330 nm and 700 nm). This is what make the light visible to the human eye. In fact, any electromagntic radiation having a wavelength between 330 nm and 700 nm is called “light” or to be precise “visible light”.

This means that we can explain Wi-Fi concepts using light analogies. In this set of articles, that is what we are going to do using simple drawings.

As a Wi-Fi professional, it important to remember that as the scattering of a signal continues to occur, the signal will lose its integrity and eventually die off. Scattering could happen indoor if you have a lot of inside trees. It could also happen on outdoor Wi-Fi bridges while raining as the signal hits rain drops.


Written by François Vergès

"Episode #1 - Radio Frequency Propagation" is still available!
"Episode #2 - Radio Frequency Reflection" is still available!
"Episode #3 - Radio Frequency Refraction" is still available!
"Episode #4 - Radio Frequency Diffraction" is still available!
"Episode #6 - Radio Frequency Absorption" coming next!