Wireless local area network – technology that devices use to communicate usually using 2.4 gigahertz UHF, and 5 gigahertz SHF radio bands. These technologies are defined by IEEE 802.11 standards since Wi-Fi is ANY “wireless local area network”.
Speed of Wi-Fi on its beginning was significantly lower than already used cable network (LAN) but practical features of this technology made it number one communication technology for average user. Ability to move device around home even for a few meters brought Wi-Fi as a must and shifted LAN as option. Many of today’s devices doesn’t have any kind of cable connection but only Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi modules came in handy for developers of embedded systems since using a transceiver chip only and writing stack code for years was a dream for many. Lately, chips with embedded Wi-Fi parts are becoming standard so “Internet on chip” is already in present. Since Wi-Fi is today every home default, many applications like smart homes, remote controls, remote telemetry can exploit this communication standard and fulfill all infrastructural needs.