CWISA-103 Certified Wireless IoT Solutions Administrator(2025 Edition) Questions and Answers

Cloud Connectivity Relies on IP: Most cloud-based services operate via the internet, which utilizes Internet Protocol (IP) at Layer 3 of the network model.

Flexibility: Various Layer 2 technologies (Ethernet, Wi-Fi) can connect to a Layer 3 network that ultimately provides Internet access

BLE Exception: Bluetooth Low Energy can have cloud connectivity, but often through gateways and not as a direct Layer 2 connection.

Eliminating Incorrect Options: IPX/SPX is an outdated protocol, and cellular is only one possible way to achieve Internet access.

Lab Purpose: Wireless testing labs offer controlled settings to:

Skill Development: Hone practical understanding of wireless technologies without impacting production environments.

Experimentation: Safely test different configurations, compatibility, and potential issues.

Troubleshooting: Isolate problems, test solutions, and understand how equipment behaves in various scenarios.

Other Benefits (While not the primary benefit):

Learning Environment: Ideal for structured training and exploration.

Evaluation: Compare hardware performance before deployment.

References

Benefits of IT Labs: Can be extended from wireless to broader IT experimentation and learning. (Articles on this topic are readily available)

BLE Beacon Power Efficiency: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons are designed for low power consumption. Their primary function is to periodically broadcast short data packets (advertising their presence).

Other Technologies:

Cellular: More power-hungry due to long-range communication and complex protocols.

GPS: Power intensive, especially when actively tracking location.

Wi-Fi:

Wireless Transceiver: A transceiver is a combination of a transmitter and receiver used for wireless communication.

Radio: The radio is the primary component responsible for:

Modulation: Encoding data onto a carrier wave.

Demodulation: Extracting data from a received signal.

Transmission/Reception: Handling the actual sending and receiving of modulated signals over the air.

References

Transceiver: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transceiver

Automation for Consistency: Scripts eliminate the potential for human error during repetitive configuration tasks on multiple devices. This ensures uniformity across the wireless solution.

Speed and Efficiency: Scripts can be much faster than manual configuration, particularly in large deployments.

Other Benefits: While scripts might aid signal strength (e.g., optimizing settings) or enhance solution capabilities, their core value in configuration is reducing errors.

Free Space Path Loss (FSPL): Describes how a radio signal weakens as it travels through open space, even without obstacles. It's caused by the signal spreading out, resulting in decreased power density at the receiver.

Calculation: FSPL depends on distance and frequency.

References

Free Space Path Loss: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-space_path_loss

KPI alignment: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) define success metrics for the wireless IoT solution (e.g., uptime, device responsiveness, data accuracy). Continuous monitoring tracks performance against these KPIs.

Meeting Business Needs: Monitoring ensures the solution delivers the intended value. Are response times fast enough? Are business processes supported effectively?

Proactive maintenance: Monitoring can reveal performance issues before they become critical failures, allowing for proactive fixes.

Optimization: Monitoring data over time helps identify areas for fine-tuning the solution to further align with business requirements.

References

Wireless IoT monitoring tools: Vendor documentation or articles on specific tools and the KPIs they can track.

ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library): Frameworks emphasizing monitoring and continuous improvement.

Coexistence Priority: Frequency coordination is the most critical aspect in ensuring that multiple wireless solutions function without significant interference.

Impact of Interference: Uncoordinated frequencies lead to:

Signal degradation: Reduced network performance and reliability.

Data errors and retransmissions: Inefficient operation and higher battery drain on devices.

PoE Splitter: A PoE splitter separates power and data from a PoE-enabled Ethernet cable, allowing the powering of non-PoE devices.

Other PoE Devices:

PoE Injector: Adds power to non-PoE Ethernet cable.

PoE Switch: Provides power directly through its ports.

JSON Fundamentals: JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a text-based format for representing data in a structured, yet flexible way. Its key features are:

Key-Value Pairs: Information is organized as "key":"value" pairs, making it human-readable.

Plaintext: JSON is not encrypted, ensuring easy parsing across different systems.

JSON vs. Other Options

Not Encrypted: Security must be handled at a higher layer if needed.

Not Optimized for Databases: While JSON can be stored in databases, it's designed for data exchange, not database structure.

Not Inherently Compressed: Compression can be used with JSON, but it's not a core feature.

IP Ratings & Manufacturing: IP66 provides:

Dust-tight: (First '6') Complete protection against dust ingress.

Powerful Water Jets: (Second '6') Protection against strong water jets from any direction.

Harsh Manufacturing Environments: IP66 is common due to dust, dirt, and potential exposure to liquids during cleaning or spills.

References

IP Ratings: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code

Legacy Support: The primary reason to continue using older wireless technologies is the need to connect with devices that don't support newer standards (e.g., old sensors or equipment).

Other Reasons (Not as Strong):

Cost: Replacing legacy devices can be expensive.

Reliability: Some legacy technologies might be well-proven in specific settings.

WBAN Range: Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) specialize in short-range communication around the human body. Typical ranges fall within 1-2 meters.

Purpose: This range is designed to:

Connect sensors monitoring health metrics.

Transmit data to a central coordinator device (e.g., smartphone).

Minimize interference potential with other wireless networks.

References

WBAN Overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_area_network

WBAN Research Paper (Check Range Discussion): https://www.mdpi.com/2224-2708/11/4/67

Health IoT Device Categories:

Wearable: Devices worn on the body (smartwatches, fitness trackers).

Non-wearable: Devices used without being worn (smart scales, connected medical equipment).

Implantable: Surgically inserted devices (pacemakers, glucose monitors).

References

Health IoT: Resources on healthcare + IoT will illustrate device types.

PtMP (Point-to-Multipoint): A single access point (AP) communicates with multiple client devices. This means the AP needs to manage how the available airtime is shared among those clients.

Airtime Fairness: Mechanisms are needed to ensure that:

Each client gets a fair chance to communicate

High-priority traffic isn't starved by low-priority traffic

PtP (Point-to-Point): A dedicated link only has two devices, eliminating the need for complex airtime management.

Considerations in Both: While interference, SINR, and frequency selection are important in both PtMP and PtP systems, the need for airtime management is unique to the multipoint scenario.

LoRa: This refers to the underlying radio modulation technique using Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS). It defines how data is physically encoded onto the wireless signal.

LoRaWAN: This is the network protocol built on top of LoRa. It manages device communication, network topology, and aspects like security. It operates at the MAC sublayer of the Data Link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model

LoRa vs. LoRaWAN: Key takeaway is that LoRa is the physical layer technology, while LoRaWAN adds the networking layer for management.

QAM Constellations: QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) uses a constellation diagram where points represent unique combinations of amplitude and phase.

Bits per Symbol: The number in QAM-XX indicates the number of points:

QAM-16: 16 points = 2^4 = 4 bits per symbol

QAM-64: 64 points = 2^6 = 6 bits per symbol

Higher Data Rates: More points in the constellation enable transmitting more bits per symbol, leading to higher data rates at the same bandwidth.

References

QAM: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrature_amplitude_modulation