When deploying and installing a HyperLink brand WiFi antenna consideration must be taken for placement, range and mobility.

Image of Popular Grid Antenna, HG2424EG-NF

A WiFi antenna can be used in indoor, outdoor, stationary and mobile applications. There are basically two types of WiFi antennas: Directional, such as a Yagi or Grid WiFi antenna, and Omni directional such as an Omni WiFi antenna or Rubber Duck WiFi antenna.

The diagram below outlines typical directional and Omni directional WiFi antenna applications.

Diagram of Directional WiFi Antenna Application

Diagram of Omni-Directional WiFi Antenna Application

WiFi Antenna Design Considerations

Installation and Expansion of Indoor (in building) RF Wireless Networks
When dealing with the installation and expansion of indoor wireless networks several factors must be considered. Most manufacturers of wireless access points and routers indicate a typical range that their equipment can provide. Usually these range estimates require line of sight which means you will need a clear unobstructed view of the antenna from the remote point in the link. In most cases there will be obstacles present in an indoor installation that could affect performance. Signals generally will not penetrate metal or concrete walls. Other factors that will reduce range and affect coverage area include metal studs in walls, concrete fiberboard walls, aluminum siding, foil-backed insulation in the walls or under the siding, pipes and electrical wiring, furniture and sources of interference. Other sources include other wireless equipment, cordless phones, microwave ovens, radio transmitters and other electrical equipment. Due to the increased gain, installing range extender antennas in the presence of interference could actually yield equal or worse range.

In wireless transmissions, reflections (when wireless signals “bounce” off objects) and multipath (when wireless signals travel in multiple paths arriving at the receiver at different times) are as important as signal strength in determining the success of an installation. A signal will also exhibit peaks and nulls in its amplitude and alteration of its polarization (vertical or horizontal) when propagating through walls, ceilings and reflecting off metallic objects.

Wireless radios have special hardware and software to deal with multipath and signal level nulls, but if the antenna is in a poor location, the radio will not be able to communicate. When trying to get the best performance in a location with a lot of barriers or reflections, it is important to be able to move the antenna in all three axes in order to minimize the effects of multipath and optimize the signal strength.

Installing Outdoor RF Wireless Networks
Outdoor RF wireless network experience the same factors such as reflections and multipath as indoor networks. For outdoor wireless installations clear line of sight is optimal. Trees and leaves are obstructions to 802.11 frequencies so they will partially or entirely block the signal if not cleared.

Before deploying any wireless network a site survey is recommended. The site survey typically entails installing an access point at each location where user groups are located and then monitoring the wireless signal strength by walking varying distances away from the access points using a laptop with site survey software. The result will show you where out may need more access points to provide sufficient coverage or where you may need to move an access point for optimal wireless connectivity.

View a helpful glossary of Wireless Terms.

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