In the most general sense, a wireless system is any collection of elements (or subsystems) that operate interdependently and use unguided electromagnetic-wave propagation to perform some specified function(s). Some examples of systems that fit this definition are
- Systems that convey information between two or more locations, such as personal communication systems (PCS), police and fire department radio systems, commercial broadcast systems, satellite broadcast systems, telemetry and remote monitoring systems
- Systems that sense the environment and/or objects in the environment, including radar systems that may be used for detecting the presence of objects in some region or volume of the environment and measuring their relative motion and/or position, systems for sensing or measuring atmospheric conditions, and systems for mapping the surface of the Earth or planets
- Systems that aid in navigation or determine the location of an object on the Earth or in space