How does an access point works?

Hi all,

I am very new to wireless network idea. I have some question if some of you
can point me to some articles I would be very happy.

1) How does a hardware/software detects that there is wireless network
around? There must be standart handshake procedure for that. Where can I
find the documentation?

2) Is there any device which detects the wireless LAN around you. I am not
talking about software supportted handhelds or any thing else. A pure
hardware that can detect?

TIA

Volvo wrote:

> 2) Is there any device which detects the wireless LAN around you. I am not
> talking about software supportted handhelds or any thing else. A pure
> hardware that can detect?

I see a cheap detector here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...onics&n=172282

But it seems very unstable.