Airplay how does it work?

[Golf1.6]

Just curious as to how airplay works.

Specifically referring to airplay wirelessly. E.g. sending iPad screen onto apple tv to display to a screen.

Does it just use the wifi to communicate with each other and identify each others device securely and then just transmit the data over p2p. Or does the iPad send data to the wifi device which then transmits data to the apple tv?

 

[Golf1.6]

ok, i guess it needs a router to be the gateway between the devices and not peer to peer.

Just found out you can use a mifi device to do this! WOW.