Why You Should Care
Ever wondered how Wi-Fi actually works? How invisible waves carry your Netflix streams, Zoom calls, and Spotify playlists without getting mixed up?
I was troubleshooting my router when this question hit me. The technical explanations didn't click—until I thought of rhythm games.
The Problem: Router Keep Disconnecting
My Buffalo router (WXR-1750DHP2) kept dropping connection. It would disconnect randomly, then reconnect a few minutes later. Classic intermittent issue.
I switched to my ISP-provided modem/router combo (KAON from J:COM) and the speed actually improved.
That's when I realized: my 10-year-old router was the bottleneck.
But more importantly, it made me wonder: How does Wi-Fi even work?
The Confusing Technical Explanation
I asked ChatGPT:
"Wi-Fi uses radio waves to transmit information. It converts digital signals (0s and 1s) into electromagnetic waves through modulation. Wi-Fi 5 uses 256-QAM, while Wi-Fi 6 uses 1024-QAM..."
I had no idea what that meant.
"Modulation"? "256-QAM"? "1024 patterns"?
Sure, I understood waves carry information, but how?
The Analogy That Made It Click
Then I thought of rhythm games—like Taiko no Tatsujin (Taiko Drum Master), Guitar Hero, or Rock Band.
In these games:
- Notes flow across the screen
- You hit buttons/drums at the right timing
- The faster the song, the more notes you can play per second
- Accuracy matters—miss the timing, you lose points
This is exactly how Wi-Fi works.
Wi-Fi = Rhythm Game
| Wi-Fi | Rhythm Game |
|---|---|
| Data (0s and 1s) | Song notes |
| Modulation (wave patterns) | Button timing |
| Frequency | Song speed (BPM) |
| Error-free reception | Perfect accuracy |
256-QAM vs 1024-QAM
- Wi-Fi 5 (256-QAM): 256 different "note patterns"
- Wi-Fi 6 (1024-QAM): 1024 different "note patterns"
Wi-Fi 6 can process 4x more detailed patterns than Wi-Fi 5.
Imagine playing an expert-level rhythm game where notes fly by so fast you can barely see them. That's what Wi-Fi does billions of times per second.
When I realized this, it finally made sense.
Wi-Fi 6 = Orchestra Mode
Then I wondered: "How does Wi-Fi handle multiple devices at once?"
Wi-Fi 5 handled devices one at a time (like taking turns in a rhythm game).
Wi-Fi 6 uses OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access), which lets multiple devices play simultaneously—like an orchestra.
The Orchestra Analogy
- Violin section = High frequency band
- Cello section = Low frequency band
- Conductor (router) = Coordinates everything
Each section plays simultaneously without interference. That's Wi-Fi 6.
Additional features:
- MU-MIMO: Multiple conductors for different sections
- TWT (Target Wake Time): Musicians rest during rests (power saving)
Wi-Fi 6 is like an orchestra where everyone plays expert-level rhythm game patterns simultaneously.
Mind. Blown. 🤯
What I Learned
Troubleshooting Takeaways
- If your router is acting up, test with another Wi-Fi source to isolate the issue
- Old routers (Wi-Fi 5 or earlier) might be bottlenecks
- ISP-provided equipment isn't always worse
Understanding Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi = Rhythm game (wave patterns encode information)
- Wi-Fi 6 = Orchestra mode (simultaneous multi-device support)
- 256-QAM → 1024-QAM = 4x information density
The Bigger Picture
Technical explanations often don't stick because we need our own mental models.
Reading "256-QAM modulation" didn't help me. But thinking of rhythm games did.
Finding your own analogies is how you truly understand technology.
Next time my Wi-Fi drops, instead of just being annoyed, I'll think: "Ah, the rhythm game notes aren't being read correctly."
And somehow, that makes it better. 😊
This thought process—from troubleshooting to understanding—is something I write about more on my blog: tielec.blog
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