Edexcel GCSE Computer Science 2020
4.1.4: understand how the characteristics of wired and wireless connectivity impact on performance (speed, range, latency, bandwidth)
4.1.4: understand how the characteristics of wired and wireless connectivity impact on performance (speed, range, latency, bandwidth)
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| bandwidth | the maximum possible amount of bits per second a network can achieve if there was no latency or collisions |
| Bluetooth | way of connecting wireless networks between personal devices |
| collision | when multiple computers attempt to send data at the same time over the same network connection or wireless frequency |
| copper cable | way of connecting wired networks which is relatively cheap but slow |
| fire optic | way of connecting wired networks which is relatively expensive but fast |
| latency | the amount of time you have to wait after sending a request over a network before you receive a response |
| network performance | a measure of how fast and responsive a network is |
| NFC | way of connecting wireless devices over small distances such as contactless payment cards |
| range | the distance a computer can move before it is no longer able to connect to the network |
| RFID | way of sending small amounts of data over small distances to identify products or people |
| speed | the actual number of bits per second that is transferred over a network |
| wired connectivity | being able to connect to a network using a physical connection (e.g. ethernet / fibre optic) |
| wireless connectivity | being able to connect to a network without a physical connection (e.g. bluetooth / WIFI) |
| Zigbee | way of connecting wireless devices to a mesh network without needing WIFI |
