Wireless Reconnaissance in Penetration Testing

Chapter 2

Basic Radio Theory and Introduction to Radio Systems

Whether you credit Guglielmo Marconi or Nicola Tesla with its invention, radio has been in use for over a century, and will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. Indeed, tried and true radio technologies are becoming even more important in our increasingly connected world.

A solid background in radio terminology and theory is essential for wireless reconnaissance. This chapter will provide a general overview of the fundamental concepts of the science and technology.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

In the nineteenth century, electricity and magnetism were understood to be two separate phenomena, until discoveries by Michael Faraday, James Maxwell, Heinrich Hertz, and others unified ...