Wireless technologies

- including Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), WiMax, Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), etc

Wireless technology in a variety of forms is an area of electronics that is developing and growing particularly fast. Wirless LAN (WLAN) technology including Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth, Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), Wimax, Zigbee, and more are all growing and finding their own market areas. As a result wireless technology is being more widely used and found in many new applications.
The development of wireless technologies

IEEE 802.11 / Wi-Fi
In recent years Wi-Fi has become increasingly popular. Enabling people to link computers to wireless LANs either to give greater flexibility in offices, to reduce costs by not having to install wired networks, or just to access a computer network when using a "hotspot" in a cafe, hotel, airport lounge or wherever, this technology has become a major force in the wireless industry in recent months and years.
The IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi standard for WLAN applications
    - IEEE 802.11 a providing 54 Mbps at 5 GHz
    - IEEE 802.11 b providing 11 Mbps at 2.4 GHz
    - IEEE 802.11 e providing Quality of Service enhancements and enabling applications such as VoIP and streaming video
    - IEEE 802.11 g providing 54 Mbps at 2.4 GHz
    - IEEE 802.11 n Wi-Fi standard providing speeds up to 600 Mbps

Bluetooth
Bluetooth is now a well established technology, providing wire-less connectivity for a wide variety of devices from headsets to mobile phones.
An overview of Bluetooth
Bluetooth version 2 - with enhanced data rate (EDR) and other new features
How to use Bluetooth

Wibree
Wibree is a new low power standard that is aimed at connecting small devices together.
An overview of Wibree

Zigbee / IEEE 802.15.4
Zigbee is a relatively new standard that is aimed at the data collection, remote sensing and control applications. It has a particularly robust structure that enables it to operate reliably in harsh radio environments.
A summary of the Zigbee standard

WiMax
WiMax is a standard that is of growing importance offering high data rate communications over a wide or metropolitan area.
WiMax overview
WiMax air interface / physical layer summary
Overview of 802.16 standard and the amendments including 802.16d (802.16-2004) and 802.16e (802.16-2005)
WiMax testing

Ultra-Wide Band (UWB)
Ultra Wide band is a technology that shows an enormous amount of potential. With data rates in excess of 1 Gbps being demonstrated, it may be ideal for many short range applications.
An overview of Ultra Wideband Technology
The development and applications of UWB technology
Direct Sequence Ultra Wideband
Multiband OFDM Ultra Wideband
Wireless USB - a technlogy utilising UWB transmissions

Near Field Communications (NFC)
Near Field Communications (NFC) is a technology that uses local magnetic fields to communicate over short distances, providing easily, simple connectivity.
Near Field Communications (NFC) overview

DECT Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications phone system
DECT basics
DECT Specification Summary

HomeRF SWAP
Although the HomeRF working group was discontinued in January 2003, an overview is included for reference.
HomeRF SWAP overview