Airwave

Airwave refers to a radio wave that propagates through the Earth's atmosphere, as opposed to signals carried by cables or other guided media. In everyday use, airwaves carry most forms of wireless communication, including radio broadcasting, cellular networks, Wi‑Fi, satellite links, and radar. The behavior of airwaves depends on frequency, wavelength, and atmospheric conditions, which influence range, penetration, and susceptibility to interference.

In technical contexts, airwaves are described by concepts such as propagation modes, line-of-sight requirements, multipath effects, and attenuation. Higher-frequency waves generally offer greater data capacity but shorter range and poorer obstacle penetration, while lower frequencies travel farther and penetrate terrain and buildings more effectively.

Notable uses and services named AirWave include:

- AirWave, a network management platform for wireless local area networks. Originally developed by AirWave Wireless, it provides centralized monitoring, configuration, and troubleshooting for multi-vendor wireless devices and deployments, and is associated with Aruba Networks.

- Airwave Public Safety Network (APSN), a dedicated nationwide radio communications system for the United Kingdom’s emergency services. Operated by a subsidiary of Motorola Solutions, it uses the TETRA standard to support priority voice and data communications for police, fire, and ambulance services.

The term airwave also appears in branding and product names across the communications industry, reflecting its generic association with wireless transmission through the air. See also radio wave, wireless communication, and TETRA.