Ⅰ Introduction

A wireless network adapter is a type of wireless terminal device, which is used to access the Internet through a wireless connection network under the wireless coverage of a wireless local area network. A wireless network adapter is a device that does not need to connect to a network cable to achieve Internet access. For example, our most common notebooks, smartphones, tablet computers, and other digital products are integrated with wireless network adapters, so how to use wireless network adapters?

USB wireless network adapter

Wireless network adapters are mainly divided into built-in integrated wireless network adapters and external wireless network adapters. Notebooks, smartphones, etc., have integrated wireless network adapters. Common USB wireless network adapters, PCI wireless network adapters, etc are external wireless network adapters. If the built-in wireless network adapter is damaged or the desktop computer needs wireless Internet access, then the external wireless network adapter will come in handy.

For the built-in or external wireless network adapter in our computer, we need to use the wireless network signal or AP signal. These signals are realized by the wireless router, that is to say, this type of wireless network adapter is only a wireless signal receiving device. We need to set up a router wireless network near the computer. The advantage is that the price is affordable and the signal is stable. The disadvantage is that it can only be used in a fixed place where it is erected. For example, if there is a wireless router at home, then our smartphones, laptops, or desktop computers with an external USB wireless network adapter can only use wireless Internet access at home. The signal transmission of the wireless network built by the wireless router is not far.

Ⅱ Main classification

The role and function of a wireless network adapter are the same as that of a normal computer network adapter, and it is used to connect to a local area network. It is only a signal receiving and sending device. It can only be connected to the Internet when it finds an exit to the Internet. All wireless network adapters can only be confined to the range of a wireless local area network. A wireless network adapter is a network card that uses wireless signals instead of wired connections. Wireless network adapters can be distinguished according to different interface types. The first is a USB wireless network adapter, which is the most common at present; the second is a PCI interface wireless network adapter dedicated to desktop computers; the third is a PCMCIA interface wireless network adapter dedicated to notebook computers; the fourth type is the MINI-PCI wireless network adapter built into the laptop.

bcm4360 wireless network adapter close-up

As mentioned above, wireless network adapters can be divided into many types according to different interfaces. The following describes the classification according to users: One is a desktop-specific PCI interface wireless network adapter. One is a special PCMCIA interface network adapter for notebook computers. One is the USB wireless network adapter, which can be used regardless of whether it is a desktop user or a notebook user, as long as the driver is installed. When choosing, it should be noted that only wireless network adapters with a USB2.0 interface can meet the requirements of 802.11g or 802.11g+. In addition to USB wireless network adapters, there are also MINI-PCI wireless network adapters that are widely used in notebook computers. MINI-PCI is a built-in wireless network adapter. Centrino models and non-Centrino wireless network adapter standard models use this wireless network adapter. The advantage is that there is no need to occupy a PC card or USB slot, and it eliminates the trouble of carrying a PC card or USB card with you at any time. These types of wireless network adapters have little difference in price and are similar in performance/function.

Ⅲ Wireless network adapter standard

1.Introduction to WLAN

Since its birth, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) has developed rapidly due to its superior flexibility and convenience and has broad development prospects. The so-called WLAN refers to the use of radiofrequency (RF) or infrared (IR) technology to wirelessly connect two or more computer devices that need to exchange data. It is generally composed of a wireless network adapter, wireless access point (AP), computer, and related equipment. AP mainly provides wireless workstations to wired LAN and from wired LAN. For access to wireless workstations, wireless workstations within the coverage of the access point can communicate with each other through it.

2.802.11 standard

IEEE's 802.11 standard series is the mainstream of today's WLAN implementation technology. The initial version of the 802.11 standard series was formally approved by IEEE in 1997, and it was the first internationally recognized protocol. In the original version, the media access control layer (MAC layer) and the physical layer were defined, and the total data transmission rate was designed to be 2Mbps. The communication between the two devices can be done in a free and direct (ad hoc) manner, or under the coordination of a base station (BS) or an access point (AP). In order to resolve conflicts and achieve good communication quality in different communication environments, CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multi-Access/Collision Avoidance) hardware communication methods are used. After that, IEEE released several improved versions, including 802.11a in 1999, which defined a physical layer with a data transmission rate of up to 54Mbps on the 5GHz ISM frequency band. 802.11b defined a physical layer on the 2.4GHz ISM frequency band. The data transmission rate is 11Mbps in the physical layer. And later a series of standards from 802.11c to 802.11m. Among them, 802.11g has reached a transmission rate of 54Mbps on the 2.4GHz ISM frequency band. The 802.11n, which is under development, has reached a transmission rate of up to 600Mbps.

Ⅳ Troubleshooting

Nowadays, many notebooks have their own wireless network adapter equipment. In an environment where there is no wired network, the wireless network adapter can help us to access the Internet more flexibly. However, after working for a period of time, the wireless network adapter will often strike out easily. When encountering a strike, many people do not know how to solve the problem. We summarize some coups in this regard as follows:

Unrecognized

1. Whether the network adapter is inserted in place

At present, wireless network adapters mainly have three interface types: PCI, USB, and PCMCIA. No matter which type, they must be inserted in place to ensure that the network adapter is in close contact with the computer slot or port. If it is not inserted in place, the wireless network adapter will not be able to be recognized. Therefore, when you encounter a failure that the wireless network adapter cannot recognize, you may wish to check whether the network adapter is closely connected to the computer according to the type of the interface adapter.

2. Whether the USB port is enabled

When installing a wireless network adapter with a USB interface, if the computer's motherboard USB port is set to be disabled in advance, no matter what measures you take, the wireless network adapter cannot be correctly identified. Therefore, checking whether the motherboard USB port is "enabled" is one of the important measures to exclude the USB wireless network adapter from not being recognized.

Unable to assign IP

First, check whether the connection between the wireless workstation and the wireless access point in the LAN is established successfully. Sometimes, no matter how strong the wireless reception signal is, the wireless access point can also refuse the connection or identification request of the wireless workstation. For example, if the wireless access point is busy or its communication rate and other Internet parameters do not match the wireless station, the wireless station will be refused to establish a communication connection with it.

If the wireless workstation has successfully passed the wireless access point identification verification, but the wireless network adapter still cannot obtain a valid IP address from the built-in DHCP server of the wireless access point, we need to check whether the built-in DHCP server in the wireless access point work normally.

Bluetooth signal interference

Sometimes when using a Bluetooth headset or mouse, it may not able to access the wireless network. The root cause may be the interference between the Bluetooth signal and the wireless network adapter signal. In order to solve the problem, you can change the communication frequency of the wireless network adapter and the wireless router. Set it to 5GHz so that these devices do not interfere with each other in different ways. Many wireless network devices now support 5GHz operating frequency. Some systems will face the problem of not being able to drive the program, causing the wireless network adapter to not be used smoothly. The solution is not complicated. Open the "Compatibility" panel in the properties window of the driver installer and select the "Run this program in compatibility mode" item to install the driver smoothly.