Introduction
Wireless topology refers to the network and computing devices’ logical arrangement in a work setting. The network topology may be depicted physically or logically to ensure the communication of devices. In wireless topology, the arrangement made is logical hence, only depicts the flow of data across a network. The logical structure may involve paths of routers and devices which enhance data flow from one device to another. Wireless topology enhances the use of wireless devices, such as routers and laptops, which communicate with each other without the use of wires (Parvin et al., 2019). Wireless topology depends on the number of devices connected, the distance between the connected devices, and the quantity of data to be transmitted to and from these devices. In wireless topology, the distance between the connected devices uses physical interconnections such as routers and switches, depending on the topology used to connect. Examples of wireless network topology connections include standard computer installation in Local Area Networks, LAN. Devices in LANs have several links to each other, which, when graphically mapped, results in shapes that depict one of the many wireless network topologies.
Point-to-Point topology is the simplest wireless network topology used in office and home settings. The topology uses two ones that enhance direct communication flow between devices. Point-to-Point topology is commonly used to connect simple applications such as remote control and monitoring devices (Callebaut et al., 2019). Real-life examples of Point-to-Point topology include; a television and its remote control, Local Area Network between two computers, a workstation and a router, and an air conditioner and its remote control. Point-to-Point topology has the advantage of being simple and easy to use. The ease is also experienced during deployment; hence, it can be used by anyone with or without IT skills. Also, it has a high bandwidth, allowing for more than two devices on a network. The installation costs of Point-to-Point topology are relatively low because of no use of wires. It is also relatively cheap to operate and maintain.
Point to Multipoint topology is used to make connections between three or more devices simultaneously. In more than three devices, one of the devices is used as the central base station for the connection made. The central base station device provides network access to the surrounding devices. These other surrounding devices are termed subscriber stations to the central base station. In the central base station, the other devices are renamed for easy identification for each of them. The renaming of devices helps identify the device sending or receiving information without confusion (Federico et al., 2021). Point to Multipoint topology is widely used in offices with heavy workloads and operations because of its ability to make connections for more than three devices. Also, the connections made in Point to Multipoint topology have high speed and reliable data transmission. Private companies have also used Point to Multipoint topology to enhance remote communication using radio frequencies by devices in different locations.
Multipoint to Point topology is a more complex form of network topology. This form of network topology allows for the formation of duplex communication between devices. In duplex communication, all devices sharing a network can simultaneously send and receive data. In this topology, an earth station is usually created as the central station with numerous terminals away from each other. The earth station’s computer transmits data to distant terminals through a network link. The earth station serves data to and from the terminal stations (Gao et al., 2021). Multipoint to Point topology is advantageous in that the failure of one device on the network has no effect on the rest of the devices on the same network. Hence, work is not paralyzed by the malfunctioning of a single device. The network topology also allows for the addition of devices to expand the connection or removal of devices without affecting data transmission.
Disadvantages of Wireless Network Topology
Despite the use of wireless network topologies replacing networking cables, their use has challenges. In Point-to-point topology, for example, it is not easy to scale up the nodes in making the connection. Also, the failure of one device on the network paralyzes the entire communication flow system. Hence, it only supports a simple form of communication, which can cause communication or data transmission delays. In Point to Multipoint topology, information flow is hindered by hills and trees near the network. The hills, trees, and even buildings cause network obstruction, which may lead to loss of network connectivity, slow connections, and delay in the transmission of data (Bhushan et al., 2019). Point to Multipoint topology is also a setback because of directional antennas. These antennas make it impossible for the topology to interconnect with other network devices.
In conclusion, wireless network topologies are rampant because wires and cables are needed on office floors. Wireless network topologies allow for the communication of devices in simple, half or full-duplex forms. The forms of communication depend on the amount of data being shared at a given time and the number of devices involved in the data transmission. Physical and logical topologies have transmission media in the device arrangement to provide links for sending and receiving information. For physical topologies, networking cables may be used, while in logical topologies, a device may be used as the transmission media. Wireless topology has been adapted over the recent years because of the cost cut due to no use of wires and cables. This is because wireless topology uses signals that act on networks requiring physical interconnections to the devices on the network. The similarity in physical and logical network topologies is the use of routers and switches.
References
Bhushan, B., & Sahoo, G. (2019). Routing protocols in wireless sensor networks. Computational intelligence in sensor networks, pp. 215–248.
Callebaut, G., & Van der Perre, L. (2019). Characterization of LoRa point-to-point path loss: Measurement campaigns and modeling considering censored data. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 7(3), 1910-1918.
Federico, G., Caratelli, D., Theis, G., & Smolders, A. B. (2021). A review of antenna array technologies for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless communications at millimeter-wave frequencies. International Journal of Antennas and Propagation, 2021, pp. 1–18.
Gao, Z., Han, D., Zhang, M., Jiang, X., Yang, C., & Wang, L. (2020, December). A Multipoint Access Scheme for Ultraviolet Wireless Network. In 2020 IEEE 6th International Conference on Computer and Communications (ICCC) (pp. 1302–1306). IEEE.
Parvin, J. R. (2019). An overview of wireless mesh networks. Wireless Mesh Networks-Security, Architectures, and Protocols.
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