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maryfinland12 Just Arrived
Joined: 03 Feb 2010 Posts: 0
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Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:34 pm Post subject: Which Wireless Router Offers the Best WiFi Range? |
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Most of the consumer wireless routers differ withWiFi range that they can support. Systems can get connected faster from a longer distance in case of a stronger WiFi. And are reliable..But which router offers best range for wifi?
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mandriva Just Arrived
Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1 Location: WAKEFIELD
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Nonapeptide Trusted SF Member
Joined: 10 Nov 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
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maryfinland12 Just Arrived
Joined: 03 Feb 2010 Posts: 0
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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A wireless router's antenna technology generally determines its WiFi signal strength and hence its range. Generally speaking, 802.11g wireless routers offer better WiFi range than comparable 802.11b units due to improved antennas.
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shivali Just Arrived
Joined: 22 Jan 2010 Posts: 0
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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:03 am Post subject: |
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cisco's series of wireless routes are best
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HaydenHarnet Just Arrived
Joined: 01 Aug 2010 Posts: 0
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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U agree, you need also to have an external omni directionnal antennas for better signal
maryfinland12 wrote: |
A wireless router's antenna technology generally determines its WiFi signal strength and hence its range. Generally speaking, wireless routers home802.11g wireless routers offer better WiFi range than comparable 802.11b units due to improved antennas. |
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Deprydation Just Arrived
Joined: 18 Aug 2010 Posts: 0 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 7:55 am Post subject: |
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What's the story on the N+ routers?
Is draft N have a longer reach than G, or is the frequency of transmission just higher and having a net gain, but a loss of some signal strength?
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PhiBer SF Mod
Joined: 11 Mar 2003 Posts: 20 Location: Your MBR
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Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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Have a look at the new Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700. It has received fantastic reviews and seems to get greats speeds.
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Weaver Trusted SF Member
Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 0 Location: WI, USA
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Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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Generally speaking, the average usable range has increased with each major iteration of the 802.11 suite.
Effective Range > 802.11n > 802.11g > 802.11b given an isotropic radiator (with 802.11a slightly less than 802.11b, but at higher PHY data rate than 802.11b).
With that being said, what sort of range one can expect to get out of an 802.11 wireless system is greatly dependent on a multitude of factors:
- Access Point Station Transceiver/Radio
- Access Point Station Antenna (E/H Radiation Pattern, Gain)
- Access Point Station Antenna Diversity/Count
- Client Station Transceiver/Radio
- Client Station Antenna (E/H Radiation Pattern, Gain)
- Client Station Antenna Diversity/Count
- Band Selection (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz)
- Channel Noise (Other non 802.11 devices)
- Pathing Issues (Multi-Path Distortion, Fresnel zones)
- Weather
Attention should be paid to all of the aforementioned factors.
In an enterprise environment, stay away from consumer grade access points as they will only cause you grief.
Given good access points and client adapters, the correct antenna configuration on the access point (and sometimes on the client) can make the difference between high and low throughput at a given range. It can also make the difference between a usable and unusable wireless system at a given range.
The FCC (in the USA) limits transmit power (from the transceiver/radio) and effective isotropic radiated power [EIRP] (from a [omni]directional radiator/antenna) in 802.11 relevant bands the ISM and U-NII-3 bands to 1W (30 dBmW) transmit and 4W (36 dBmW) EIRP.
The FCC makes exception for point-to-point links.
With 2.4GHz it is possible to get higher than 36 dBmW EIRP by using high gain antennas. However, for every antenna gain of 3 dBi over 6 dBi, it is required to reduce the transmit power of the transceiver/radio to the antenna by 1 dBmW (1.3 mW).
For example, a 9 dBi antenna (3 dBi over the 6 dBi threshold) in a point-to-point link would require the maximum transmit power from the transceiver to the antenna to be reduced by 1 dBmW (1.3 mW).
Despite this reduction in transmit power from transceiver to antenna, the EIRP has increased. From 30 dBmW + 6 dBi = 36 dBmW EIRP ->to-> 29 dBmW + 9 dBi = 38 dBmW EIRP. This trend continues as higher and higher gain antennas are used.
With 5GHz point-to-point links the FCC allows the use of higher gain antennas to achieve higher EIRP without the requirement to decrease transmit power by 1 dBmW for every 3 dBi over 6 dBi. Note that this is only for point-to-point links.
Note that as an antenna's gain increases, it's directivity increases and it becomes less and less of an isotropic radiator. The EIRP quantity and concept can be used to relate power outputs of transceivers in concert with antennas of different gain.
As a layman interested in 802.11, most of this boils down the to the following:
1. Use the best transceivers/radios you can find/afford.
2. Use the correct antenna configuration to meet the objective. Quality matters here as well.
3. In point-to-point scenario's it is especially important to keep your first Fresnel zone clear.
FCC Transmit/EIRP Synopsis
FCC Part 15
Cisco Antenna Reference - The best single-page on the web for learning about 802.11 antenna fundamentals. Product listing included.
-Weaver
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