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Tips for Extending Access Point Coverage
Sometimes a WLAN access point doesn't quite cover as much space as needed. Learn how to extend the range of an access point without installing another access point.
By Jim Geier
A common scenario in installing a wireless LAN is finding that that radio coverage
of an access point isn.t quite good enough. For example, a school may install
an AP in a wing of classrooms, and students and teachers have trouble maintaining
association with the AP from one particular classroom. In this type of situation,
you could try moving the AP to better cover the area, but then you may disrupt
access for users in other areas.
Certainly one solution to this problem is to add more hardware in the problem
area; however, this requires you to purchase another AP and install the cabling.
In addition, you might need to form a distribution system
that includes an Ethernet switch in order to connect the access points.
Before installing more AP to increase radio frequency (RF) coverage, consider
the following methods for extending the range:
Adjust the transmit power. Access points usually by default have
their transmit power set to the highest value. In some cases, though, an administrator
may have switched the transmit power to a lower level, possibly to avoid spilling
radio waves outside the facility. In order to maximize RF coverage, ensure
that the transmit power is set to the highest value. It only takes a couple
minutes to do this, and it might solve the coverage problem without extra
costs.
Relocate the access point. In many cases where coverage falls short,
you can simply move the access point a few feet (possibly more) and fully
cover the area. The only cost involved with this approach is your time, assuming
there.s enough slack in the distribution system cabling. Sometimes you might
need to run a longer cable from the switch to the access point -- a good
reason to leave some extra length on access point cables when installing them.
Utilize higher gain antennas. The factory-default antennas that
come with an access point usually have low gain (around 2dB). If the access
point has removable antennas, then replacing the default antennas with higher
gain omni-directional or even directional patch antennas boosts range significantly.
Most of these higher gain antennas effectively add 6dB to the system, which
equates to a four fold increase in signal power. Even though that doesn.t
exactly multiple the range by four, it does make a big difference in range.
For example, I.ve seen range increase by twenty five percent after simply
replacing the antenna with a higher gain omni-directional. For a cost of around
ten dollars each, antenna upgrades are extremely cost-effective. Keep in mind
that some access points don.t have removable antennas, which of course blocks
this approach.
Consider RF amplifiers. Companies such as RFLinx and Maxim
sell RF amplifiers that install between the antenna and the access point.
The amplifiers, which cost a few hundred dollars each, add a whopping 20dB
of gain to the RF signal. This packs quite a punch, which dramatically extends
range. Just be sure to comply with effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) rules,
though, when adding amplification (and antennas). In addition most regulatory
agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S.,
require certification beyond what the access point manufacturer receives when
the wireless LAN includes additional components such as amplifiers.
Install a repeater. A wireless LAN repeater,
from companies such as D-Link and Buffalo
Technology , is stand-alone hardware that you place within the area with
poor coverage. The repeater must be within range of the AP and set to the
same channel. It listens to the selected channel and retransmits traffic on
the same channel. For example, the repeater may receive a data frame sent
by the AP. It will then retransmit the data frame. Users within the area will
then be able to receive the frame. Because repeaters duplicate the traffic
sent over a common channel, they reduce the overall throughput by fifty percent.
This could be a problem if you.re already taxing the capacity of the AP.
Also, a repeater requires electrical power, which might be costly to install.
Since a repeater doesn.t connect to the distribution system, power-over-Ethernet
(PoE) isn.t
an option.
Hopefully one of these approaches will help you successfully extend the range
of your AP. If not, then you.ll likely need to purchase and install more APs
to get the coverage you need.
Jim Geier provides independent consulting services to companies developing
and deploying wireless network solutions. He is the author of the books, Wireless
LANs (SAMs) and Wireless Networks - First Step (Cisco Press).
Use our feedback form to
submit your questions on home or SOHO networking
issues. We cannot guarantee to answer every question we get, but we’ll
consider them all.
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