Maximum wifi range. Wi-Fi Long Range Routers

Finding information about the range of a WiFi router is actually not so easy. Usually, information about the power of the transmitter is given, you can also find out how the intensity of radio waves will change when installing a particular antenna. The problem is that you can use a more advanced antenna, or even an amplifier, only on the side of the router, but not on the subscriber device. A device such as a smartphone has an internal Wi-Fi antenna and cannot be replaced. Therefore, by the way, it makes no sense to increase the transmitter power of the router - the latter will still "not hear" the signal coming from the low-power emitter of the smartphone. Let's try to determine what the wireless range is equal to for devices of different classes.

Wi-Fi network construction diagram

According to the current law of the Russian Federation, the transmitter power in the subscriber device cannot exceed 100 milliwatts. It is also provided that for access points, including those built into the router, this value should not exceed 250 mW. On the dBm scale (decibel per microvolt), these values ​​are expressed in other numbers: 20 and 24 dBm. Equipment, whose transmitter power does not correspond to these figures, has never been officially imported into Russia or is being imported. We will be interested in how the speed of the wireless connection depends on the distance between the router and a standard subscriber device, provided that the requirements of the law are met. We also proceed from the condition that the subscriber antenna is a single-link whip (as in most smartphones).

Method for calculating the effective distance

Let's say the wireless connection works when the distance between the access point and the smartphone is N meters and there are no obstacles in the signal path. A table from which you can find out how many times the intensity decreases when passing one or another obstacle is on several sites (for example, ZyXEL). At the same time, it is known that a decrease in intensity by a factor of 2 (by 3 decibels) is equivalent to a decrease in the effective distance N by the root of two times. It's simple - the square of the distance is inversely proportional to the intensity.

What does the number N mean

When the signal passes through a glass window, the intensity decreases by just 3 dB, which means that the effective distance decreases by a factor of two. Using this technique, you can calculate how far the Wi-Fi connection will still work in a given situation:

• Glass window - reduces the intensity by 3 dB (2 times)
• Tinted window - 6 dB (4 times)
• Wood wall - 9 dB (8 times)
• Panel interior wall, concrete floor - 15-20 dB (32 times or more).

The factor by which you divide the distance value is the square root of the intensity reduction factor. Let's look at an example.

Concrete walls make adjustments

Let's say N is 400 m. Now we "place" one panel wall and one wall made of wood between the router and the smartphone. Adding the decibels (15 + 9 dB), we get 24 decibels. On a logarithmic scale, it is 24, and on a linear scale, this is equivalent to a 251-fold decrease in intensity. Now, let's calculate what the root of 251 is (that's 15.84). We divide 400 meters by 16, we get 25 meters. As you can see, everything is simple and looks like the truth.

Effective distance without obstacles

Probably, the reader is interested in what the value of N is equal to in the absence of obstacles, depending on the choice of the Wi-Fi range. If the transmitter power of the router is 40 mW, and its antenna "amplifies" the signal in the horizontal plane by 3 dB (it is multi-link), then, according to ZyXEL, the value of N is 400 meters. Look: the router has a less powerful transmitter than a smartphone, but it uses a multi-link antenna. In total, we get: communication between two Wi-Fi devices with a transmitter power of 100 mW and a conventional whip antenna is confidently maintained at a distance of up to 400 m. Here we were talking about the 2.4 GHz band.

You now have a methodology to calculate the effective wireless communication distance theoretically.

Here we are talking about the 2.4 GHz band, but for higher-frequency waves, there is simply no information about the level of influence of certain obstacles. It is clear that for the 5 GHz range, the value of N will be less, and the degree of influence of obstacles will be greater. If you know that the transmitter power of a smartphone is noticeably less than 100 mW, you need to do this: you need to divide 100 by the actual power in milliwatts, and calculate the square root of the resulting number. You will have a correction factor by which you want to divide the distance, the value of which was obtained according to the considered method.

Results of practical observations

Let's evaluate the "penetration capacity" of Wi-Fi in practice. To do this, let's take a set of access points that support communication in the 2.4 GHz band: these are TRENDnet's TEW-411BRP +, D-Link's DWL-2100AP, and US Robotics' USR 805450. As a subscriber device, we will use a smartphone, the transmitter power of which is 100 mW. We will install standard antennas on the access points, and they themselves will be located on the fifth floor of the panel house.

Extreme distance, confident reception

Already on the third floor of the building where our equipment is installed, there is no Wi-Fi network. The wave overcame 2 reinforced concrete floors, that is, we lost 30 dB - and that's it, there is no connection. In fact, consider that 35 decibels are lost when passing two floors. Here it is necessary to add the attenuation, which depends on the length of the distance, then we get about 36-38 dB. This means that it is precisely this attenuation for 100 milliwatts that is critical.

Line of sight of the emitter

Trying to pick up a signal on the street. At a distance of 150-180 meters, the presence of a network can be noticed, but this is true if you are in front of the window of the room where the equipment is installed. And the connection remains stable at a distance of 100 meters. As you can see, the theory corresponds to practice with a sufficient level of reliability. For reliability, it is better to divide the theoretically obtained result (one window -> 200 meters) by 2.

What not to do

Everyone understands that it is hardly worth increasing the power of one of the transmitters, when the second, that is, the "subscriber" one, remains unchanged. The same can be said about the use of antennas that allow increasing the wave intensity, but narrowing the pattern. However, the use of sectorial and multi-link antennas will still be effective, and here's why. Routers and other emitters of radio waves can be not only in your apartment, but also in neighbors, etc. And by narrowing the capture sector, you can save your router from extraneous radio frequency noise.

When setting up a wireless network in a router, it is necessary to choose not the maximum, but the optimal power value. The interface of many devices has such an adjustment. Start at the maximum and lower the value step by step:

Setting up a ZyXEL Keenetic router

It is worth stopping when, at the farthest point, the smartphone stops “seeing” the network. By increasing the power by one division, you can use the Wi-Fi network to your heart's content.

Sectorial antenna - from conventional

The BUSINESS TELECOM company presents the top 10 best Wi-Fi routers of 2019. We use all routers in our work, which means that we experienced their pros and cons on our own experience.

Choosing a good WiFi router is not easy. The main criteria for the formation of the TOP-10 were the stability of the devices, the provided Internet speed and the coverage area.

10. D-Link DIR-825 / AC

On the 10th place in our rating is the D-Link DIR-825 / AC Wi-Fi router - a rational solution for organizing a high-speed wireless in a small office, cafe or retail outlet. The router provides a stable connection from any computer or mobile gadget.

The router acts as a base station for organizing access to the Internet network from devices operating according to the standards 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n and 802.11ac.

✔ Benefits:

• Speed ​​up to 300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, up to 867 Mbps at 5 GHz.
• Wireless connection speed - up to 1167 Mbps.
• Multifunctional USB port.
• Supports WEP and WPA / WPA2 security standards.
• Weeds out connection requests by MAC address.
• Provides access to WPS and WMM technologies.

✘ Disadvantages:

• Fixed antennas
• Not suitable for large offices and companies, because has a small coverage area.
• Heats up a lot
• Not a particularly user-friendly web interface.

The router of this model is popular among users due to its extensive functionality. This device will protect your network from hacker attacks and block the access of local network users to unwanted sites.

9. Asus RT-AC51U

A strong 802.11ac Wi-Fi router that offers wireless data rates up to 733 Mbps. The presence of a USB connector makes it possible to connect printers, external drives and 3G / 4G modems, which significantly expand the functionality of the equipment. It also allows you to recharge smartphones, tablets and other gadgets if you don't have a spare power supply at hand. The developers have created the ASUSWRT interface, which is as convenient and intuitive as possible.

✔ Benefits:

• Speed ​​up to 300 Mbps in 2.4 GHz mode and up to 433 Mbps in 5 GHz mode.
• Allows you to track the consumption of Internet traffic and limit the speed of the Internet channel for individual applications.
• The coverage area is larger than many models. The Asus RT-AC51U is equipped with powerful antennas that increase the wireless coverage by 150% compared to conventional devices.
• The ability to configure the priority of using the bandwidth of the Internet channel for various applications.
• VPN server connectivity.

✘ Disadvantages:

• The wireless data transfer rate is slower than other routers.
• Small footprint: Thick walls can be a significant barrier.

Built on the basis of technology belonging to the 5th generation of wireless communication means, so users get access to all modern possibilities. It is one of the best solutions for offices with few employees.

8. TP-Link Archer C60

The TP-Link Archer C60 device continues the rating of Wi-Fi routers, the speed of which reaches 450 Mbps at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. This is absolutely enough for sending emails, loading various web pages and working with audio files.

✔ Benefits:

• A 5 GHz channel with speeds up to 867 Mbps provides comfortable viewing of HD video streaming.
• Supports the new 802.11ac standard, which is 3 times faster than 802.11n.
• 5 antennas (three for 2.4 GHz and two for 5 GHz) alternately positioned to optimize simultaneous dual band operation.
• The network remains as stable as possible and practically immune to various interference.
• The ability to create a separate guest network for your company's clients.

✘ Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for large offices and companies due to the relatively low data transfer rate.
• Cannot be wall-mounted due to the location of the antennas.

7. Wi-Fi Zyxel Keenetic Ultra II

The seventh place in the list of the best Wi-Fi routers is occupied by Zyxel Keenetic Ultra II. With this router, the connection is carried out via a dedicated Ethernet line. The provider can use any connection, in particular PPTP, PPPoE, IPv4 / IPv6, etc.

Regardless of the type and nature of the load, users receive speeds up to 1000 Mbps or up to 1800 Mbps for IPoE / PPPoE. The presence of special ports allows you to organize a wireless network using a 3G, 4G, DSL modem, a PON terminal with an Ethernet port or a Wi-Fi hotspot (private, from a provider).

✔ Benefits:

• The device is equipped with NDMS 2 OS and a managed switch, so any connection can be combined.
• Dual band Wi-Fi hotspot with signal strength amplifiers and rotatable antennas.
• The user-friendly interface allows you to configure automatic switching to a backup channel in case of a main network failure.
• The 2-band network has WPA2 protection for all used devices (laptops, PCs, tablets, smartphones, etc.).
• The ability to create a guest network separate from the main network.
• Possibility to distribute the load on the channel depending on the applications.

✘ Disadvantages:

• The bandwidth of the wireless network is not high enough, which makes the model unsuitable for large offices.
• The model may become very hot.

Keenetic Ultra II is a high-coverage Wi-Fi router ideal for mid-sized offices.

6. Asus RT-AC87U

ASUS RT-AC87U is a long-range Wi-Fi router with high data transfer speeds. In the 5 GHz frequency range, it reaches 1734 Mbit / s, and at 2.4 GHz - 600 Mbit / s. The total network throughput is 2334 Mbps, which is much faster than standard 3-lane routers.

The router is equipped with 4 antennas for increased signal gain.

✔ Benefits:

• The device can work effectively in Multi-user MIMO 4x4 mode.
• Connected computers and gadgets get the fastest connection speeds.
• Powered by a powerful 2-core processor and delivers a high level of performance.
• An additional 2-core processor is used to implement 4x4 Wi-Fi mode, and the total bandwidth is increased by 50%.
• Two USB ports - standard 2.0 and high speed 3.0.
• Coverage area - up to 465 m2.
• Excellent value for money.

✘ Disadvantages:

• Quite large dimensions
• The models can get very hot, therefore it is recommended to install them in a well-ventilated room.

The user will be able to appreciate the long warranty period and the possibility of use with a wide range of devices. The router is great for large rooms and buildings up to 465 m2.

5. D-Link DIR-890L

The fifth place is occupied by the powerful D-Link DIR-890L router - a striking representative of 2-band gigabit routers. It provides a high-quality connection of computers and other devices into a single network, which gives access to broadband Internet. A feature of this router is support for SmartConnect1 technology, thanks to which the wireless connection speed increases up to 3200 Mbps.

This equipment will be an excellent choice for multi-user operation in two independent wireless networks operating in accordance with the 802.11ac standard. The parameters of each network will be up to 600 Mbps in 2.4 GHz and up to 1300 Mbps in 5 GHz.

✔ Benefits:

• Wireless connection speed - up to 3200 Mbps.
• The developers also took care of expanding the network coverage area by implementing the AC SmartBeam system into the device.
• The router operates stably in two bands at once: 2.4 and 5 GHz.
• Internet connection requires minimal user intervention.
• Smart Connect technology selects the least congested frequency band and connects the new device automatically.

✘ Disadvantages:

• High price. In terms of price-quality ratio, there are more interesting models.
• The dual-core processor runs at just 1 GHz, while most modern routers have a 1.4 GHz main processor.

DIR-890L is an impeccable quality of a wireless network, stability of Wi-Fi connection and maximum comfort of access to the Internet via mobile devices.

4. Asus RT-AC88U

✔ Benefits:

• Wi-Fi speed - up to 3167 Mbps.
• 4 antennas in 4T4R configuration (4 transmit and 4 receive) create a large coverage area.
• Asus AiRadar beamforming technology to extend Wi-Fi coverage.
• Dual-core 1.4 GHz processor for high-speed data transfer with USB-connected devices.
• USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports.
• Data transfer rate for wired network up to 2Gbps.

✘ Disadvantages:

• Covers an area of ​​no more than 180 square meters.
• High price.

Ideal for offices and companies that need high-speed internet that can handle heavy loads.

3. TP-Link Archer C5400

The third place in the top Wi-Fi routers is the innovative Archer C5400 router with Tri-Band technology. The latter is a real find for the organization of three-channel user networks. This router model boasts a 25% faster data transfer rate thanks to NitroQAM support.

This is not just a router, but a real network center with high power, which allows you to perform various tasks without any problems: watching HD videos, launching online games from several devices at once, etc.

✔ Benefits:

• Speed ​​up to 1000 Mbps in 2.4 GHz mode, 2167 Mbps in 5 GHz mode.
• High speed ensures the fastest possible response of even the most resource-intensive applications.
• Archer C5400 works with the embedded MU-MIMO technology, thanks to which 4 data streams function simultaneously at once.
• 8 antennas with Beamforming accurately locate your gadgets and send them a powerful Wi-Fi signal.

• The main processor 1.4 GHz and 3 coprocessors allow you to work in multitasking mode.
• Equipped with USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports.

✘ Disadvantages:

• There are no shortcomings in terms of speed and performance level.
• One of the disadvantages of the model is a rather bulky body.

This is the best option for a router for offices, cafes, Internet centers, etc., providing connection of a large number of computers and other devices without sacrificing performance.

2. Asus BRT-AC828

Asus BRT-AC828 is rightfully considered one of the best WiFi routers for large offices, IT companies and TV companies. It is a powerful, long-range router that can handle very heavy loads.

✔ Benefits:

• 2 wired Gigabit Ethernet ports with up to 2 Gbps bandwidth.
• The throughput of 4 wired LAN ports is up to 4 Gbps.
• High level of network protection, equipped with a content filtering system.
• Ability to work with 250 client devices at high speed simultaneously.
• 8 antennas in 4x4 configuration.
• Wide WiFi coverage area.

✘ Disadvantages:

• High price

The Asus BRT-AC828 model is perfect if you have a large company and a lot of devices that need to be connected to a WiFi network.

1. Asus RT-AC 5300

ASUS RT-AC 5300 was recognized as the best Wi-Fi router according to BUSINESS-TELECOM in 2017. Equipped with NitroQAM technology, the router provides an unprecedented wireless data transfer rate - up to 5334 Mbps! It is one of the most powerful routers found on the market today.

✔ Benefits:

• An adaptive QoS feature that allows you to prioritize the use of a network connection.
• Able to serve multiple client devices without lags. For example, its bandwidth allows you to transmit multiple streams of Full-HD video at once.
• 8 antennas provide a wide range of coverage.
• Data transfer rate in 2.4 GHz mode - up to 1000 Mbps, in 5 GHz mode - up to 2167 Mbps.
• Network load balancing technology between 3 channels.
• Dual-core 1.4GHz processor withstands high network loads.
• USB ports 2.0 and 3.0
• Ability to combine 2 wired network ports into one with high speed up to 2 Gbps.

The Asus RT-AC5300 Wi-Fi router has no significant drawbacks. It is ideal for providing a wide and stable WiFi area in buildings, large offices, large TV and IT companies. We give it the first place in the ranking of the best WiFi routers for business.

Outcomes

You may be interested in the services

All of us from time to time are faced with the problem of insufficient signal strength of the router. The signal is unstable at some points, often disappears or not at all. This is noticeable in premises with a large area: in a dacha, in a private house, in a recreation center, in an apartment with more than one room. In this article, we will describe the options for solving this problem.

Figure 1. The coverage area of ​​the WiFi network of the router in a typical apartment (the router is next to the front door).

We produce passive and active antennas, including for data transmission networks, WiFi. In this article, we are interested not so much in the problems of wireless access, as in ways to increase the range of WiFi. Note that we are not considering specific options for creating special "powerful" access points. Everything is only within the framework of the standards and norms adopted in the Russian Federation.

In our experience, the router is usually placed: next to the front door, in the corridor behind the cabinet, or in the switchboard. In such cases, the area of ​​the apartment is unevenly covered by the WiFi network. Depending on the layout of the apartment, the back rooms, the kitchen, the loggia are outside the zone of sustainable coverage. (Example in Figure 1)

The same situation is true for a private house. The area of ​​the house is usually larger, and the Internet is needed not only indoors, but also outside - near the barbecue area, pool, on the playground. Here the problem is more serious.

Figure 2. Coverage area of ​​a WiFi network of a router in a country house

Figures 1 and 2 show examples of WiFi coverage, areas with a good network level are highlighted in green, areas with a low level, which often do not allow normal operation of the Internet, are highlighted in red. Note that the WiFi signal, being a radio wave, spreads better in free space, so walls and other partitions in the room will weaken it and, as a result, reduce the signal level that has passed through them.

The problem has been identified - insufficient WiFi coverage in the room. Let's see why this is happening. The standard antenna of the router has a circular directional pattern - it radiates WiFi in all directions. Including in the direction of your neighbors, which is usually pointless and unnecessary. At the same time, the antenna's own gain is relatively small, as a result of which such an antenna has insufficient efficiency. As a result, the coverage area of ​​the WiFi signal is small.

Figure 3. Radiation pattern of the standard router antenna (f = 2.45 GHz)

Figure 3 shows the external antenna pattern of a standard router calculated in a physical simulator. A dipole is used as an antenna.

How to improve WiFi coverage

The first thing that comes to mind is to replace the router with another. Buy a device with a more powerful external antenna or with multiple antennas. If you have an outdated router model it is worth giving it a try. Be prepared that this will require additional costs, and a positive result is not at all guaranteed. The picture will most likely improve, but the problem will not be fixed (Figure 4-5).

Figure 4. Router with two external antennas.

Figure 5. Router with three external antennas.

The next way is to use an active WiFi repeater, also called a WiFi repeater. This device is just designed to increase the range of a WiFi network. A great way, often allowing you to solve the problem at the root. But it also has disadvantages:

- prices from one and a half thousand rubles and more;
- the need for customization;
- limited area of ​​use.

And that's not all: the repeater will again receive a signal from all sides and radiate around. That is, if our "uncovered" corner of the apartment is far away, then two or even three repeaters will be required. It would be great to concentrate the signal in a given direction, but it will not work - the built-in antennas of the repeaters have a circular pattern. We have not seen repeaters with a jack for an external antenna.

It is worth mentioning another feature of the WiFi repeater - the presence of a 220V mains power supply. Not all people are ready to leave some devices connected to the network when leaving their homes. And turning it on and off every time is an amateur activity. In addition, for a house or a summer cottage, the decision is complicated by the fact that there is often no power supply between the house and, say, the barbecue area, and the repeaters are often not designed for outdoor use.

Figure 6. How the WiFi repeater works

The next solution is to use an external directional antenna. The simplest thing is to unscrew the standard antenna from the router and connect a directional one, which will focus the entire signal in the desired direction. There are a lot of antennas of this kind, but we will focus on the developments of our enterprise.

The first solution is WiFi Extender antenna (Figure 7):

Figure 7. WiFi Extender Antenna

This is an indoor “wave channel” antenna in a radio-transparent plastic case. Antenna gain 10 dBi.

The second option is more complex and efficient - a panel antenna. In our case - BAS-2301 WiFi (Figures 8-9). There is a patch antenna inside the radio-transparent sealed case. Gain not less than 12.5 dBi.

Figure 8. Antenna BAS 2301 WiFi

Figure 9. Radiation pattern of the antenna BAS 2301 WiFi (f = 2.45 GHz)

The third option is a "wave channel" antenna for the WiFi range (2400-2500 MHz). In the REMO version, this is the BERKUT WiFi antenna (Figure 10). There are already 19 elements (6 of them are placed in a box, on a printed circuit board), the maximum directional gain is 15 dBi.

Figure 10. Antenna Berkut WiFi

All of the above methods, most often, will solve the problem. WiFi will appear in the right place, and with an excellent signal level. But there are some nuances here:

- The price of the issue. These antennas are cheaper than a repeater, but their price is more than 1000 rubles.
- Installation. All such antennas require installation. It is necessary to mount the bracket. If you live in a rented apartment, then obtain the owner's permission to secure this structure. Also, it can entail some inconvenience if you are not able to independently mount the bracket on the wall. I think the reader understands that it is not always possible to fix the bracket for various reasons, even despite the simplicity of this procedure.
- Accommodation. If, in the variant of a house or a summer residence, you can install the antenna outside the room, extending only the cable inward, then for an apartment this is an inapplicable option.

Another limitation on the use of such antennas is that not all routers have an antenna connector for connecting external antennas. The middle and budget segment are often not detachable antennas and, as a result, for such routers, the above solutions are not suitable by definition.

Therefore, remote antennas are a good solution, but not applicable in all cases. What else can you increase the coverage of a WiFi network?
We have asked this question for a long time. What could you think of to be applicable in almost all cases, to be effective, inexpensive and simple?

The reader is probably familiar with our popular Connect 2.0 modem product or older versions.
The principle of operation is simple - using the device's own internal antenna (modem) as an active element of the antenna system. So, in a simplified way, you can imagine the whole series of "Internet signal amplifiers".

We thought - is it possible to apply the same principle in a WiFi router with an external antenna?

Figure 11. Connect 2.0 Antenna

Development of an antenna-attachment for a router (WiFi Ladder)

So, we have a router with an external antenna (important: we do not consider routers with a built-in antenna). The question arises: how to use this own antenna as an active element (vibrator) of the antenna system? Our goal is to give directional properties to the external antenna of the router, which will entail an increase in the transmission and reception range of a WiFi signal in a given direction. The first thing that comes to mind is a "wave channel" antenna, also known as "UDA-YAGI" (after its inventors from Japan). It is a simple yet effective antenna design that has proven itself all over the world.

So the idea appeared and it had to be embodied in a design. The developers were faced with the task of calculating a multi-element wave channel for the 2.4-2.5 GHz range, into which it will be possible to "introduce" a standard router antenna. During the simulation, it was decided that a 7-element "wave channel" would be the best option. With quite compact dimensions of the structure, we received an antenna system, the amplification of which allows us to solve the tasks posed. The sizes of directors and the distance between them were optimized in the physical model, we consider them the best for solving the problem (Fig. 12).

Figure 12. Filling of the BAS-2002 WiFi Ladder antenna

The next step was the development of the antenna mount design. After monitoring the router market, we decided to place the “wave channel” on the external antenna of the router, using it as a supporting element (Fig. 13). We are faced with the fact that routers have antennas of different diameters, and sometimes their shape is far from cylindrical or cone-shaped. For example, a flattened external antenna is very popular. For this reason, the designers have developed a universal clip that allows you to attach the product to almost any external antenna of the router. In some cases, this will not be the most rigid mount, but we want to note that the antenna is usually installed indoors and only once, so third-party physical effects on it will be minimal.

Figure 13. Antenna BAS-2002 WiFi Ladder, fixed on the external antenna of the router

A number of tests were carried out, during which the "shaded" areas of the room became covered by WiFi, and with a decent level (Fig. 14). An area with a good WiFi signal level is highlighted in green in the figure.

Figure 14. WiFi coverage area of ​​a router with an antenna attachment
BAS-2002 WiFi Ladder in a typical apartment

Below is the directional diagram of the developed antenna, which is attached to the external antenna of a typical router (Fig. 15).

Figure 15. Radiation diagram of the external antenna of a router with an antenna attachment BAS-2002 WiFi Ladder

The antenna of the router has acquired directional properties and, as a result, gain in direction, as a result of which the range of WiFi signal transmission in a given direction has increased. In red in Fig. 15 shows the maximum radiation of the antenna - the direction in which the coverage area of ​​the WiFi network will increase.

During development, the working name - "ladder" was firmly attached to the antenna, therefore, without thinking twice, we decided to name this product, translating only into English, taking into account our export practice: "BAS-2002 WiFi Ladder".

One more question cannot be ignored: in what place on the external antenna should the product be fixed?

Having studied the design of external antennas of different routers, we came to the conclusion that the antennas are not always located inside the plastic case as we expect (Figure 16).

Figure 16. "Inside" of one of the external antennas of the router.

As can be seen from Figure 16, the antenna is located not along the entire length of the plastic case, but only in its lower part.

Most often, the antenna structure is located in the lower or middle part of the plastic housing. That is why the user needs to find the optimal height for mounting on an external antenna (Fig. 17). It happens that the user forgets or ignores this important setting item and does not get the expected result, so once again we remind you that the height adjustment is important and obligatory!

Figure 17. Adjusting the BAS-2002 WiFi Ladder antenna by height

The antenna operates in IEEE802.11 b / g / n networks using 2.4..2.5 GHz frequencies.

As we said earlier, there are routers with multiple external antennas. In this case, you can use the attachment antenna for all antennas or only for one or two. Depends on the tasks. You can create maximum gain in one direction, then all antennas will be "pointed in the same direction" and their gain will add up (Fig. 18).

Figure 18

It is possible to strengthen WiFi in different directions, i.e. expand the coverage area:

Figure 19

It is worth mentioning programs that will help tune such antennas in the direction (not only WFi LADDER).

There are a lot of tips on how to strengthen the signal of a Wi-Fi network, the modern Internet provides a lot. But the disadvantage of many articles is that useful information is hidden behind the mountains of recommendations that are not related to a given problem or have value, but completely indirect. As a result, the user tries to increase the range of the Wi-Fi signal using settings that cannot be applied to solve such problems. They are simply useless for the network, and even more so for the radius of its activity.

Updated and great instruction:.

The task of strengthening the signal of a Wi-Fi network involves the influence on the change in the radius of its coverage and the distance of the Wi-Fi operation. You can often face a problem when it is impossible to use Wi-Fi in the distant rooms of the dwelling, although the router has been restored, and no problems with its operation have been identified. It may also be inconvenient if there is the possibility of wireless data transmission on different floors of the same room.

What determines the range of a Wi-Fi network? There are many answers to this seemingly simple question. An important role in the territory of Wi-Fi network distribution is played by the following factors:

• The number and power of antennas of routers;
• The thickness of the walls in the room;
• The number of wireless data transmission systems located in the neighborhood;
• The location of the peripheral device that provides Internet access;
• Other interference.

Often when purchasing a router, buyers are asked to choose a device that will provide a stable signal for a home with a different number of rooms or a private house. But it is impossible to advise something specific in such cases, since it is necessary to study many conditions. The area of ​​the premises can be the only factor that you should pay attention to when buying a router. For an apartment with one room, the option of equipment that is not expensive for the price, having one antenna, the power of which is 3 dBi, will be quite suitable. To provide a Wi-Fi signal to rooms with a fairly large area, you need to take into account other characteristics of the router. At the same time, the price factor should not be taken as a basis for purchasing the necessary equipment. For comparison, the device has a number of advantages: multiple antennas, a function to increase the range of Wi-Fi from Asus. But if you use it along with another model, less expensive, at the same distance, the result of its work is not much different from the model of a router with a price several times lower. Despite the fact that the latter option is equipped with antennas located inside the device.

Change hardware settings to improve wireless Wi-Fi signal strength

If you have and install equipment for accessing the Internet in a residential or office building, you can try to independently influence the signal strength of the wireless data transmission network. The following tips will help you do this. First you need to decide on a way to solve the problem:

1. Reconfigure the router to strengthen the signal
2. To resort to additional devices or devices

Search and change the channel on the router

Step # 1: search and change the channel on the router... The active operation of your network can be affected by networks used by neighbors. They place a heavy load on the channel that your network depends on. Is this how you can find out if the device installed in your room sees neighboring networks available for connection.

Experiments are indispensable here. There are several options for doing this:

• Configure any statistical channel
• Select channel Auto
• Using the additional program, make a choice of a free channel

What you choose must be fixed in the settings of the data transmission device (router).

It makes no sense to focus on the instructions for replacing and setting the frequency range in this article. The easiest way is to use the useful article It contains information about the essence of the channel and the method for finding the unloaded one. For routers of various models, the frequency range changes according to a certain method.

Converting the network to 802.11N

Step # 2: We put our network into 802.11N mode... B / g / n (11bgn mixed) is the default setting for wireless networking. For routers with more than one antenna, you can forcefully change it. The choice in favor of 802.11N is characterized by new advantages of the router's operation: improved Wi-Fi broadcasting, increased speed and expanded its coverage area.

But in the case of devices of the old modification, a problem arises. Due to the impossibility of maintaining this mode of operation, the router will not perceive network signals. The best option for a new device will be n mode. No special work is required here. It is enough to reconfigure the router by visiting a specific address. To do this, you can use the special instructions posted here - instructions for all models.

In the tab that opens, we find the item Wireless network mode and set the command only in N mode ( N only).

The described technique is clearly shown below using an Asus router as an example.

The stage ends with saving the settings and completely rebooting the device. If you find problems during the connection of the router, you must return to the mixed mode of operation.

Checking the transmission power

Step # 3: We check the transmission power in the router settings. The power of the Wi-Fi network can be set independently. Unfortunately, such an opportunity is not available for all devices and serves to a greater extent to reduce power, but it is still worth paying attention to this fact.

For equipment from the manufacturer Asus, you need to use the tab with the item Wireless Network - Professional. The following is placed in its lower part: “ Tx power transmission power control ". The power indicator is regulated by a scale with a unit of measurement - percentage. It looks like this:

For Tp-Link routers, the parameters are changed using Wireless — Wireless advanced... To determine the parameters of the signal strength, the item is provided. Transmit Power. Maximum power is indicated by the word High.

Additional devices to increase the active area of ​​the wireless network

1. Installation repeater, or setting up a second router in amplifier mode.

This method differs from all others in its special reliability and efficiency. But, along with this, it requires additional material costs to purchase a repeater. This device amplifies the signal and is installed in a place where Wi-Fi can still be picked up, but its signal is already quite weak. It works on the repeater principle and transmits the network signal further. In the article, you can familiarize yourself with this small device in detail.

To perform the functions of a repeater, you can use additional routers from manufacturers ZyXEL and Asus. It is possible to set the repeater mode in them, guided by the following methods:

1. Changing the antennas of the router to more powerful ones.

With this method, the Wi-Fi performance can be increased, but not significantly. The result from changing antennas is not effective. Moreover, as in the first case, it requires additional investments. Yes, the price of detachable antennas for a router is not that great, but is it worth spending money if there is no sense in it?

If you decide to change antennas, then you need to take the most powerful ones.

1. Purchase of a new router, transition to 5 GHz.

Since most routers operate at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, then a device with a range of 5 GHz. will be operated much more efficiently. This is due to the comparative freedom of this range and the absence of numerous interference. As a result of this - an increase in the speed and extension of the range of the wireless network.

They resort to switching to a different range and purchasing a new router when various other networks influence the signal of your network. Problems with low speed, constant "glitches" and loss of access can be solved with the purchase of a new expensive router with a 5 GHz operating range.

Advice 1. Choose the correct location for your router. It is worth taking advantage of the advice, because most of them have a router installed either in remote rooms or in a hallway. As a result, you shouldn't expect an efficient wireless network.

The best place to place your router is in the center of your home or office, and you should also be aware that walls are obstructing the Wi-Fi signal.

Tip 2. Homemade amplifiers for Wi-Fi antennas. The device can be made using materials at hand. Foil and tin are suitable for this. This is confirmed by many articles of folk craftsmen. In practice, you can place a foil or tin can near the router so that the signal seems to bounce off and change direction, but this is not very effective. Moreover, from an aesthetic point of view, such a solution does not look very good.

But I consider it necessary to expand this topic. Often, we buy expensive wi-fi routers, hoping for decent performance, but the quality of the wireless home network still leaves much to be desired. We need to make some transformations that will help increase the range of the wi-fi network and the signal strength.
The problems of optimizing a wireless network are especially relevant now, when most modern devices offer support for wireless communication: smartphones, tablets, TVs and laptops. After all, they can all simultaneously connect to a home wi-fi network, so it should work stably and quickly. Many older wireless routers are unable to provide an acceptable connection quality due to their limited capabilities. This article will tell you about the methods and special equipment to ensure reliable reception of a wi-fi router at a distance of up to 100 m and more.

The first thing to take care of is choosing the right place for the location of the wi-fi router and other devices on the network... This is an important measure when setting up a wireless network at home. First, find the optimal placement point for your wireless router in an apartment or house and check that all network clients can confidently receive a signal, since the efficiency of any wireless connection will always correspond to the level of the weakest link in the chain. Do not ignore the possibility of using additional devices, as they can expand the boundaries of the network wirelessly or wired. This is especially true if your apartment (house) has thick walls or you need distribute wireless internet to several floors.

There is also a pretty simple way assemble a directional antenna for a wi-fi router with your own hands... Such an antenna is capable of increase the range of the wi-fi network... If from the proposed options nothing suits or does not help, for example, you want to use the Internet in the courtyard of a country house, then we will consider the option with microwave antennas. Their application makes it possible to solve many problems associated with the range of a wi-fi network because the signal of the wireless network spreads evenly in all directions and weakens in proportion to the square of the distance.

Briefly about the principle of operation of such antennas

Radio relay antennas collect the signal into a beam and radiate it in one direction, so the wireless network works stably even at a decent distance.

1. Finding the best place to install a wi-fi router

To achieve reliable wireless performance, you need to find the correct mounting locations for all components and select a channel that is not susceptible to interference.

Selecting a free channel for a wi-fi network. Wireless interference

Extraneous radio signals, which could be from a neighbor's router or baby sitter, are background noise for our wireless network, which it constantly fights against. Wi-fi routers of neighbors are especially often causing problems with a wireless network.

The solution to the problem with a neighbor's router is simple:

• Select the channel (frequency range) with the least amount of interference using the inSSIDer program.
• Go to the "2.4 GHz Channels" tab to find out which channels are occupied by devices.
• Select the channel with the least interference in your wireless router settings.

Attention! If the router and all receiving devices support the 5 GHz frequency band, switch to it and check the wireless connection.

Note that there is less interference at this frequency, but sometimes you have to put up with a slightly shorter signal range and a worse ability to pass through walls. I note right away that this feature is not true for all routers that support 5GHz.

Router placement: put in the center

The best option for creating a reliable wireless network is to connect all devices to the router directly, without intermediaries. To achieve this, place the router in the center (if possible, with some errors in relation to the geometric center). Thus, it will be surrounded by all clients that will be connected to the router.

Be sure to consider walls, furniture, and other obstructions. In open space, the signal is practically not negatively affected, but it weakens strongly, passing through them. Therefore, you need to install the router closer to the devices that are located behind the wall. To obtain the largest signal radius of a wi-fi router, it must be located in an elevated place. Choosing too low a position, you will jam the signal with various kinds of obstacles.

Weak link network testing to verify

After you have taken the aforementioned optimization measures, I recommend that you test the operation with a device that is located farthest in the house or behind several walls, and also has a small antenna. In this case, the rule applies: the higher the receiving antenna is, the more efficient the communication with the router .

Antenna Direction for Wireless Devices

Antennas emit a signal in circles that are oriented in space perpendicular to the axis of the antennas. The optimal location for achieving good coverage is multidirectional - for devices with 2 or more antennas. In general, try to rotate the antenna so that its axis is perpendicular to the direction of the client device with the worst reception quality. If the antennas are built into the router, try turning or moving the device a few centimeters to the side, while checking the result.

Optimization of wi-fi connection

As I said above, the reception quality can change dramatically if you move or unfold the router or wi-fi adapter (card) that is responsible for reception a little. Even a slight twist or movement of your router, laptop, or other receiving device can dramatically increase or decrease the signal quality. You can measure the speed of the wireless network using the JPerl program. You need to run it on a computer connected with a LAN cable, and on a wireless device (for example, a laptop) acting as a client, measure the connection speed after each change.

Replacing an old router with a new one

Upgrading your wi-fi router will not be superfluous if your wireless router only supports 802.11g, as it makes sense to purchase a more powerful 802.11n-compatible router.
If you are using a DSL Internet connection, it is worth purchasing a model with a built-in DSL modem. In this case, you only need to enter your data for Internet access, issued by your provider, as a result, the device will independently connect to the Internet. An old 802.11g router comes in handy too, it can be used as a repeater.
Let's say you bought a new wi-fi router. Now you need to configure it, 2 articles that I indicated at the very beginning of this material will help you with this. If you saved money and bought a router without a DSL modem, then the modem role can be transferred to the old device. To do this, configure it to work as a modem, according to the user manual. After that, connect the WAN connector (connector for connecting to the Internet access channel) of the new router with the LAN port of the old one.

Using an old router as a repeater

If your new 802.11n router has a built-in modem, then I recommend using the DD-WRT firmware developed by the Open Source community, you can tuneold router as a repeater (repeater)... Check this page to see if support for your model is available. There you will find the firmware suitable for your device, as well as installation recommendations. In most cases, to install DD-WRT firmware on the router, use the update item provided by the original firmware.

After installing the firmware and rebooting the router, enter its web interface.

• In the login field enter: root
• In the password field, enter: admin.

Configuring Repeater Bridge Mode on a Router

Connect the old wi-fi router with the installed DD-WRT firmware with a LAN cable to the computer. In the future, the extender will connect to the wireless network of the main router as a client and redirect the signal via wired or wireless connection to other client devices. To implement this, in the Wireless / Basic Settings section you need 0 configure the "Repeater Bridge" mode... All network settings such as network mode, network name and wireless channel must match those of the main router. In the "Virtual Interfaces" section, add one more wireless network under a different name (for example, by inserting "Repeater" at the end of the name) and then configure it.

How to increase the range of a wi-fi router

Choosing a place to install the repeater (repeater)

The easiest way increase the coverage area of ​​the wireless network- using a wireless repeater or repeater, especially if it is offered by the same manufacturer as the router. Place it in such a way that it is located in the area where the signal from the router can be easily received. The setup includes only a few simple operations. The disadvantage is that the maximum bandwidth of a router operating in repeater mode is halved.

Powerline adapters

In order for the router to cover other floors in your house, I recommend using a network expander based on Powerline adapters that transmit the network signal through the wiring. You can use the dLAN 200 AV Wireless Nvon devolo model. Connection: connect one adapter to the LAN port of the router, and the other with the wireless access point function connects to any outlet in the house. You can read more about Powerline adapters for a wired network (without access point function).

Configuring the network extender: You can use the supplied software to configure the basic parameters of a set of Powerline adapters. If you need to change the wireless settings, open the web interface of the adapter using the program.

Attention! When increasing the transmission power through the web interface of the router, do it in stages, as this may affect the signal quality.

Selecting the Correct Position for Receiving Devices

In addition to choosing the optimal position of the router, do not forget about the device that receives the signal. After all, even small changes in position can significantly affect the result. Take a laptop for example. Position the laptop so that the display cover that houses the antenna faces the wireless source. Then slowly move or rotate the device, thus you will recognize how to find the optimal signal reception area... You can also check the result using the inSSIDer program (link above).

Using a USB extension cable

A long antenna cable can negatively affect the quality of reception, while a USB cable up to 5m long will not cause such problems. Therefore, it makes sense to place the wireless USB adapter within the coverage area of ​​the wireless network using a long USB cable. With the holder included with many USB adapters, the device can be fixed at a specific height to get more reliable reception from the router. Using a USB extension cable will be a good option for a room remote from the router. For example, I used it in my bedroom for a mini-ITX computer.

Internal cards for connecting a PC to a wireless network

It's no secret that expansion cards with a Wi-Fi module are available for desktop computers, however, due to their internal location, antennas, as a rule, are hidden under the table or behind the wall of the cabinet. In my HTPC, I used this particular option, since there was no back wall in the shelf under the equipment. If the antennas cannot be removed, a USB wireless adapter is a more effective and affordable solution. A good model is TP-Link TL-WN822N, since its antennas can be deployed in the desired direction, and placed not only behind your system unit.

In this section, we will talk about small hand-made devices and not only, with which you can significantly increase the range of your wireless network.

DIY parabolic mirror... As you already know, the antennas of a router emit a signal in uniform circles, and a parabolic mirror will collect this signal into a beam and transmit it in a certain direction. All you need is scissors, foil, paper and glue. Place the mirror on one of the antennas of your router and turn it towards the receiving device.

Using an optional antenna

Now it is easy to find special antennas in computer stores, which, due to their size and shape, are able to provide a higher quality signal transmission than antennas built into a wi-fi router.
Their main advantage is that the cable allows one or more antennas to be placed at an elevated point.

Installing an external wireless antenna

For owners of country houses who spend a long time in the yard and want to use wireless Internet, an external antenna will come to the rescue. A good option would be TP-Link TL-ANT2409B, which can improve signal reception. You will need to fix the antenna on an external wall, connect it to your wi-fi router. Remember that the antenna should be directed in the direction where you want to ensure reliable reception, so if possible, fix it on an elevated point.

When purchasing an antenna, pay attention to cable shielding, as the signals carried over the antenna cable are susceptible to interference. The quality of the cable can be determined by the attenuation factor, measured in dB. A good 5m cable should not have an attenuation factor of more than 3dB.

Using a Wi-Fi Parabolic Antenna

Parabolic antennas are designed to transmit a wireless network signal between two similar antennas over a distance of several kilometers. If you need to transmit a signal over a distance of more than 100 m, then this is the solution to your problem.

Directional parabolic antennas It is used to connect client Wi-Fi devices located at an average and long distance from the central access point, or to build point-to-point Wi-Fi connections. As a rule, such an antenna has a gain of 24 dB in the frequency range 2.4 - 2.5 GHz and is used to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves with vertical or horizontal polarization. Parabolic Wi-Fi Antenna Design consists of a log-periodic feed in a robust housing, which is attached to a reflector with a mesh structure (to reduce windage and overall weight of the antenna). As standard, the antenna has a 1 meter microwave cable with a connector N-type (N type female).