|  | 5.6 | Basic Topologies Used in Networking
| 5.6.10 | Cellular network topology

Mathematical Perspective The cellular topology consists of circular or hexagonal areas, each of which has an individual node at its center. Physical Perspective The cellular topology is a geographic area that is divided into regions (cells) for the purposes of wireless technology – a technology that becomes increasingly more important each day. There are no physical links in a cellular topology, only electromagnetic waves. Sometimes the receiving nodes move (e.g. car cell phone), and sometimes the sending nodes move (e.g. satellite communication links).

The obvious advantage of a cellular (wireless) topology is that there are no tangible media other than the earth's atmosphere or the vacuum of off-planet space (and satellites). The disadvantages are that signals are present everywhere in a cell and, thus, are susceptible to disruptions (man-made and environmental) and to security violations (i.e. electronic monitoring and theft of service).

Logical Perspective
Cellular technologies communicate with each other directly (though distance limitations and interference sometimes make it extremely difficult), or communicate only with their adjacent cells, which is extremely inefficient. As a rule, cellular-based topologies are integrated with other topologies, whether they use the atmosphere or satellites.