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Wireless Basics (continued)
1. Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the Access Point and your receiving device to a minimum –
each wall or ceiling can reduce your wireless product's range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) For some
businesses or for a large residential home deployment, it may be beneficial to have more than one access
point with overlapping coverage.
2. Be aware of the direct line between Access Points and computers with wireless adapters - A wall that is 1.5
feet thick (.5 meters), at a 45-degree angle appears to be almost 3 feet (1 meter) thick. At a 2-degree angle it
looks over 42 feet (14 meters) thick! Try to make sure that the Access Points and Adapters are positioned so
that the signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling for better reception.
3. Building Materials make a difference - A solid metal door or aluminum studs may have a negative effect on
range. Try to position Access Points, and computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes through
drywall or open doorways and not other materials.
4. Make sure that the antenna is positioned for best reception by using the software signal strength tools
included with your product.
5. Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical devices or appliances that generate
extreme RF noise.
For the average residence, range should not be a problem. If you experience low or no signal strength in areas
of your home that you wish to access, consider positioning the Access Point in a location directly between the
computers with wireless adapters that will be connected. Additional Access Points can be connected to provide
better coverage in rooms where the signal does not appear as strongly as desired.
Using radio frequency (RF) technology, WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks) transmit and receive data over
the air, minimizing the need for wired connections. Thus, WLANs combine data connectivity with user mobility,
and, through simplified configuration, enable movable LANs.
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