Wi-Fi Pro Lab

Interactive models that show how Wi-Fi really works. Move the sliders, watch the physics change, then see what it means on real equipment. Everything on regulation starts with the UK (Ofcom) and switches to the EU or the US with one click.

New to radio? Start with Foundations: waves, interference and decibels, in two short topics.

Start hereThe three Wi-Fi bands

How every topic worksThe same seven parts, every time

Each topic in the lab is written the same way, so you always know where to look. Read straight through, or jump to the part you need.

  1. Definition: what it is, with the terms and the common mix-ups.
  2. Purpose: why it exists and what problem it solves.
  3. Mechanism: how it works, with a model you can play with.
  4. Visual explanation: waveforms, channel maps, timelines.
  5. Mathematics: the equations, with worked examples and calculators.
  6. Real-world behaviour: what it looks like on actual equipment and how it fails.
  7. Practical validation: Wireshark filters, spectrum views and questions to answer yourself.

Sources. Every topic ends with its references: IEEE 802.11, the Wi-Fi Alliance, and the regulators (Ofcom, ETSI and the FCC). Regulation always opens on the UK and switches to the EU or the US.

The bookWhere the lab is going

The lab is being built as one book, from the physics of radio waves up to measurement and validation. Open a part to see its topics. Live topics are links; the others are planned and will appear in this order.

FoundationsWaves, decibels and how a signal travels.3 live
  1. Waves and frequencyFrequency, wavelength, phase and interference.Live
  2. Decibels and powerdB, dBm and dBi, and adding gains and losses.Live
  3. RF propagation and antennasPath loss, link budgets, antenna patterns and the Fresnel zone.Live

Open the Foundations overview →

Frequency bandsWhere Wi-Fi lives, and what each band allows.3 live
  1. 2.4 GHzChannels and overlap, generations, rules.Live
  2. 5 GHzWide channels, DFS and radar, rules.Live
  3. 6 GHzNew spectrum, discovery, power classes, rules.Live
Modulation and waveformsHow bits become a radio wave.7 live
  1. DSSSSpreading each bit over a code.Live
  2. FHSSHopping across 79 channels.Live
  3. CCKLetting the data choose an 8-chip code word.Live
  4. OFDMSubcarriers, the IFFT and the guard interval.Live
  5. QAM constellationsFrom BPSK to 4096-QAM, noise and errors.Live
  6. OFDMA and resource unitsSharing one channel between several clients.Live
  7. MIMO and beamformingSpatial streams and steering a beam.Live

Open the Modulation and waveforms overview →

How Wi-Fi shares the airThe protocol that decides who talks when.3 live
  1. 802.11 MAC and channel accessCSMA/CA, backoff, hidden nodes and airtime.Live
  2. Frames and the MAC headerEvery field of the header of each protocol, with sizes and bits.Live
  3. Wi-Fi generationsWhat changed from 802.11b to Wi-Fi 7.Live

Open the How Wi-Fi shares the air overview →

Connecting and coexistingJoining, moving between access points, and sharing spectrum.2 live
  1. Association, security and roamingFrom probe to handshake to handover.Live
  2. Coexistence and regulationsInterference, CCA and the UK, EU and US rules.Live

Open the Connecting and coexisting overview →

Measuring and validatingProving what the network really does.2 live
  1. Measurement, troubleshooting and QoESignal, noise, SNR, retries and user experience.Live
  2. Validation and practical engineeringCapacity planning, surveys and test plans.Live

Open the Measuring and validating overview →

About accuracy. Dates come from the IEEE 802.11 Working Group’s public timelines and the Wi-Fi Alliance; regulatory limits come from Ofcom and the FCC. Every topic lists its sources at the bottom. If you spot a mistake, please tell me and I will fix it.