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# 4.8 WiFi multiple access

Although WiFi uses OFDM, making it similar in some respects to 4G, the method of providing multiple access to the radio channel is very different from 4G’s. WiFi doesn’t use resource blocks. Also, the two directions of data traffic (towards and away from the user) are not differentiated by frequency band. The following activity shows how multiple access is provided in WiFi.

## Activity 21 Animation

The following animation will explain how WiFi allocates access to the radio channel among its various users. Open it by clicking on the image or ‘View interactive version’ text below, then watch and listen to the six sections of the animation.

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OpenLearn - Exploring communications technology
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