What are the various methods to print without using wires?

Mark Twain proudly claimed in his unpublished autobiography that he was the first writer to use a typewriter for fiction. He mentioned dictating his work to a secretary who then typed it on a Remington machine. Twain submitted his manuscript for "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" in typewritten form back in 1874 [source: Mark Twain]. The Remington was a manual typewriter, meaning there were no wires involved. It was a self-powered, standalone machine — essentially, a wireless printer.

Since Mark Twain's time, the home office has grown increasingly sophisticated. Nowadays, you might find a computer, a printer, a router, a cable or DSL modem, a fax machine, a phone, and other devices all interconnected. In a wired network, this means an overwhelming number of cables, and as we all know, cables tend to get tangled into an annoying mess.

Another issue with wired networks is that cables restrict where you can place devices. Wired gadgets are physically bound to the network. Connecting a computer in one room to a printer in another could require running long cables through hallways or even up and down stairs. Keeping those cables neatly out of sight becomes quite a task.

Inventors and engineers have come up with various solutions to reduce the number of cables needed for a home network. Now, it's possible to create a document on your computer and send it directly to a printer without the need for a cord connecting the two devices. You can even send print jobs from other gadgets like cell phones or PDAs. And the best part is, there are multiple methods to achieve this! Whether through light pulses or radio signals, you’re no longer restricted by wires.

The first wireless printing technologies used light pulses to transmit commands from a computer to a printer. Curious about how printers use infrared light to receive print jobs? Keep reading for the next section.

IrDA Printers

Early wireless printers operated using technology established by the Infrared Data Association (IrDA). The IrDA is a nonprofit group responsible for creating standards for devices that utilize infrared signals to send and receive data. Without these standards, companies might have produced incompatible devices, leading to signal interference and malfunctioning equipment.

IrDA devices, whether printers or other gadgets, communicate by sending and detecting pulses of light within the infrared spectrum. Infrared light is invisible to the human eye, but we can perceive it as heat, similar to the warmth from the sun or a fire. Special devices like night vision goggles allow us to see infrared light, though we mainly sense it as radiation rather than seeing it directly.

The IrDA sets standards for various data rates, indicating how much data a device can transmit or receive per second, ranging from 115.2 kilobytes per second (kbps) to 16 megabytes per second (Mbps) [source: IrDA]. Communication between IrDA devices relies on transceivers, which combine both a transmitter and a receiver. This setup enables devices to send and receive data via infrared signals. The microprocessors within these devices convert electronic commands, such as a print job, into pulses of infrared light. The receiving device detects these pulses and decodes them, turning them back into the original electronic command.

To use IrDA technology for printing, you will need the following components:

Some printers come with built-in infrared transceivers, but printers without these may require an infrared adapter. Typically, the adapter plugs into either the serial or USB port on the printer. Many infrared adapters have short cords that connect the transceiver to the adapter’s plug, allowing the user to position the transceiver so that it faces the transmitter for optimal communication.

One of the drawbacks of IrDA technology is its dependence on a line-of-sight connection. Since it uses light to transmit data, an unobstructed path between the transmitter and receiver is essential for it to work. This limitation means that you can't print to an IrDA printer if you're too far away or if there are walls or doors blocking the signal between your computer and the printer.

However, IrDA devices can be quite reliable and secure as long as the two transceivers aren't obstructed. They are less likely to suffer from interference issues, and they are also more resistant to hackers compared to other wireless technologies. Despite this, many manufacturers have moved away from IrDA in favor of another widely adopted technology: Bluetooth technology.

What sets Bluetooth apart from IrDA printers? Keep reading to discover the differences.

Bluetooth Printers

In recent years, Bluetooth technology has gained widespread popularity in the world of electronics. Bluetooth devices communicate by transmitting data using low-powered radio signals in the 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) frequency range [source: Bluetooth].

Bluetooth devices are divided into two classes. The lower-powered class can transmit signals within a 10-meter (33-foot) radius, while the more powerful class can send signals as far as 100 meters (328 feet). Bluetooth technology enables users to create personal-area networks (PANs), where devices can detect and communicate with each other as they enter range.

Unlike IrDA, Bluetooth signals don't require a line of sight to function. Bluetooth networks can pass through walls, doors, and even different floors of a building. As long as the devices remain within range, they can interact. Bluetooth devices can transfer data at speeds of up to 3 Mbps with other devices within range [source: Bluetooth].

Some printers and computers come equipped with built-in Bluetooth transceivers. Others require an external adapter to use Bluetooth signals. The process of sending and receiving Bluetooth signals is similar to that of IrDA devices, but instead of converting data into light pulses, a Bluetooth device transforms the data into radio signals for transmission. Other Bluetooth devices then receive the signals and convert them back into data.

A Bluetooth network enables you to send print jobs from various devices to the same printer, allowing you to set up a personal network printer at home.

Another method of wireless printing is through a WiFi network. Learn more about it in the next section.

WiFi Printers

Wireless networks have become increasingly popular both in businesses and at home. Most of these networks rely on WiFi, also referred to as the 802.11 standard family. Much like Bluetooth, WiFi uses radio signals to transmit data. WiFi operates on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, with data transfer rates ranging from 11 Mbps to 140 Mbps depending on the 802.11 network type.

Many printers available today come with built-in WiFi transceivers. Network administrators need to first connect the printer to the network so other devices within the system can access it. Once the printer is linked, compatible devices can send print jobs to it. This is especially useful in environments with multiple computers, eliminating the need to purchase separate printers for each one.

When working within a wireless network, security is a key consideration. An unsecured wireless network is an easy target for black hat hackers and cybercriminals. Various devices, even T-shirts, can detect wireless signals. Some individuals use these tools to locate unprotected networks and access free Internet services. If you use an unsecured network with a bandwidth limit from your ISP, you might face unexpected charges. Worse, if illegal activities are conducted over your network, you could be held accountable for the crimes.

An unsecured network could allow hackers to access your devices remotely. A skilled hacker might be able to extract sensitive information from your machines. Identity theft resulting from such attacks can be a lengthy and complex issue to resolve.

For these reasons, it's essential to ensure that your network is secure. Implementing firewalls to block external threats is crucial. Additionally, password protection and strong encryption protocols like WiFi Protected Access (WPA) are important for safeguarding your network.

Some WiFi printers feature a button that enables WPA encryption, ensuring secure connections with other devices. By pressing this button on the printer and activating the corresponding function on each computer within the network, you can establish a protected connection between all devices. While it may seem excessive, given the potential risks of unsecured data transfers, it's a sensible approach.

If you're done with tripping over wires or being confined to a single spot, wireless printing could be the solution. Take a moment to evaluate your specific needs to determine which wireless printing method will best suit you.