Strengthening wifi router signal

Any modern home is literally stuffed with modern equipment, which you can control with both push-button systems, and electronic applications. Not so long ago it became popular even to use mobile applications to start the vacuum cleaner, the oven, turn on the TV, which are controlled via wi-fi signal, it is also used for working on the Internet, watching programs, games, etc.

We test Wi-Fi amplifiers and seamless roaming for the apartment

There are at least two types of people: some are ready to put up with wires all over the apartment, while others can't stand them and are trying their best to get rid of them. However, sometimes you just can't pull another cable along the baseboard or under it – you have to find new ways for the Internet gigabytes.

Recently Onliner studied the issue of improving the Internet in the countryside, where operator towers squeeze out traffic drop by drop to all holidaymakers and those living in the countryside. Now we decided to look at what are the ways to improve Wi-Fi in the apartment.

In fact the most practical way is to try Do not skimp on equipment. It is not the best option – to use the operator's routers. As a rule, these are cheap devices that provide a service, but no more than that. This is normal practice, and no one will give out thousands of "kinetics" to users with a relatively small ARPU.

As a consequence, not everyone is happy with the routers provided, but also not everyone is willing to spend their own money to buy a "normal" device.

And what is the problem?

The main one is clogged up the airwaves in the 2.4 GHz band. Here the world is ruled by points issued by Beltelecom to all consumers with a home phone. Whether they use Wi-Fi or not, the wireless module is active and adds to the interference (probably need to provide communication as part of one of their own services, but it all looks "not ace"). Plus the other operators with numerous routers of popular brands.

Note that this problem is particularly characteristic of the city. Somewhere far away from the "human" will do and 2.4 GHz.

The second nuance mentioned above: operators give out cheap access points with inexpensive components (and single-band – only with 2.4 GHz). As a result, getting your megabits is doubly difficult.

Testing the "WiFi Agent" in an industrial area

So, the measurements were taken in an industrial area with dense population of 2-3 storey blocks of industrial buildings, the receiver was placed at the height of the 2nd floor of the industrial building, which also made the signal reception more difficult. Measurements were taken at a distance of 163 meters between the receiver (WiFi adapter) and the transmitter (router).

To begin with we will use a standard USB WiFi adapter as a receiver (see Fig. 4), based on the RTL8192 chipset with a built-in non-directional antenna. Let's connect it to the laptop and run the utility InSSider Home (or any other utility you like) to monitor the WiFi network level (see Fig. 6).

Figure 5 shows the profile of the area where the tests were carried out.

Figure 5. Profile of the terrain where the first experiment was conducted

Figure 6. WiFi networks seen through a regular USB WiFi adapter based on RTL8192

As we can see the network level is very weak (-87dBm), we were barely able to connect. Unfortunately, the wait time for the response page of the speed meter website expired and the data wasn't even downloaded.
Let's take the "WiFi Agent" directional USB WiFi antenna as a receiver. (see Figure 7-8), and connect it to the same USB port on the laptop instead of the usual USB WiFi adapter.

Figure 7. The WiFi Agent directional antenna.

Figure 8. WiFi networks visible through the WiFi Agent

The network signal strength increased by 15 dB to -72 dBm. Also, we were able to find 2 new networks.

Results of the first experiment

The first experiment, under difficult UHF reception conditions, resulted in a stable WiFi network reception (-72 dBm level) at a distance of 163 meters in a straight line. It may seem that this is a relatively short distance, but we must understand that as a signal source (transmitter) used a portable autonomous router with built-in antenna, which by antenna gain and radiated power is inferior to conventional room routers with remote pin antenna.

Range of reception of "Wi-Fi Agent" will depend not only on our antenna (receiver), but also on the transmitter (router) to which you want to connect. We state this with confidence, as we have conducted numerous tests of the device with different transmitters.

The benefit of moderation in all things

As mentioned above, reducing power is not always a bad thing. Not only that, but when you increase the power, the quality of reception can deteriorate significantly, and it's not about the "weakness" of the access point at all. Below we will consider in which cases it can be useful.

Radio traffic load

The effect of congestion can be seen firsthand, at the time of selecting a device to connect. If the list of selected Wi-Fi networks contains more than three or four items, we can already talk about overloading the radio air. At the same time, each network is a source of interference for its neighbors. And interference affects the performance of the network, because it dramatically increases the noise level and it leads to the need to constantly resend packets. In this case, the main recommendation is to lower the transmitter power in the access point and ideally to get all the neighbors to do the same so as not to interfere with each other.

The situation resembles a school class when the teacher is absent. Each student starts talking to his or her roommate and other classmates. In the general noise they can't hear each other well and start talking louder, then even louder, and eventually they start shouting. The teacher quickly rushes to the classroom, takes some disciplinary measures and the normal situation is restored. If we think of the teacher as a network administrator and the students as an access point owner, we get an almost direct analogy.

Asymmetric connection

As mentioned earlier, the transmitter power of the access point is usually 2-3 times stronger than the client mobile devices: tablets, smartphones, laptops, and so on. Therefore it is very likely the emergence of "gray areas", where the client will receive from the access point a good stable signal, but the transfer from the client to the point will work "not very". Such a connection is called asymmetric.

In order to maintain a stable connection with good quality, it is highly desirable to have a symmetrical connection between the client device and the access point, where reception and transmission in both directions work quite effectively.

When higher power is required

The factors listed below require increased power in order to maintain a stable connection.

Interference from other types of radio devices and other electronics

Bluetooth devices such as headphones, wireless keyboards and mice operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band can cause interference to the AP and other Wi-Fi devices.

The devices listed below can also have a negative impact on signal quality:

• microwave microwave ovens;
• baby monitors;
• CRT monitors, wireless speakers, cordless phones, and other wireless devices;
• external sources of electrical voltage, such as power lines and power substations,
• electric motors;
• Cables with insufficient shielding, as well as coaxial cable and connectors used with some types of satellite dishes.

Long distances between Wi-Fi devices

All radio devices have a limited range. In addition to the design features of the wireless device, the maximum range can be reduced by external factors such as obstacles, radio interference, and so on.

All this leads to the formation of local "out-of-reach zones" where the signal from the access point "doesn't reach" the client device.

Obstacles in the signal path

Various obstacles (walls, ceilings, furniture, metal doors, etc.), located between Wi-Fi devices, can reflect or absorb radio signals, which leads to a deterioration or complete loss of communication.

Such simple and understandable things as reinforced concrete walls, sheet metal covering, steel frame, and even mirrors and tinted glass noticeably reduce the intensity of the signal.

Interesting factThe human body attenuates the signal by about 3 dB.

Below is a table showing the loss of Wi-Fi signal efficiency when passing through different environments for the 2.4 GHz network.

How to improve WiFi coverage

The first thing that comes to mind is to replace your router with a different one. Buy a device with a stronger external antenna or one with multiple antennas. If you have an older router model, it's worth a try. Be prepared that this will require additional costs, and a positive result is not at all guaranteed. Most likely, the picture will improve, but the problem will not be eliminated (Fig. 4-5).

Figure 4. Router with two external antennas.

Figure 5. Router with three external antennas.

The next method is to use an active WiFi repeater, also called a WiFi repeater. This device is designed to extend the range of your WiFi network. This is a great way of doing things and often solves the problem at the root. But it also has a disadvantage:

– prices from 1.5 thousand rubles and higher;
– the need for configuration;
– limited zone of use.

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

Another feature of WiFi repeaters is worth mentioning – the presence of 220V AC power. Not all people are willing to leave some devices plugged in when leaving home. And turning it on and off every time is an amateur task. In addition, for the house or cottage solution is complicated by the fact that between the house and, say, a barbecue area, most often there is no electricity, and repeaters are often not designed for outdoor use.

Development of antenna-nozzle for the router (WiFi Ladder)

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

So the idea appeared and it was necessary to implement it in the design. The developers had the task to calculate a multi-element wave channel for the range of 2.4-2.5 GHz, in which it would be possible to "embed" the regular antenna of the router. During the simulation it was decided that the best option would be a 7-element "wave channel". With quite compact size of the design, we got an antenna system, the gain of which allows us to solve the tasks. The sizes of directors and distances between them have been optimized in the physical model, we consider them the best for the solution of the task (Fig. 12).

Figure 12. "Stuffing" of the BAS-2002 WiFi Ladder antenna

The next stage 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 carrier element (Fig. 13). We came across the fact that routers have different diameter antennas, and sometimes their shape is far from cylindrical or cone-shaped. For example, a "flattened" external antenna is quite popular. For this reason, the designers have developed a universal clamp 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 outside physical effects on it will be minimal.

How to increase the Wi-Fi signal in the router settings?

If you have already bought and installed a router in your home or office, and Wi-Fi is not everywhere you need, you can try to strengthen the wireless network. How to do this, we will now look at. You can boost the signal both with the settings in the router and with individual devices and gadgets.

1 Find and change the channel on your router. If your devices see many of your neighbors' networks available for connection, then all of these networks may load the channel on which your network is running, and thus reduce the range of the network.

You can try, in the router settings, to set some static channel, or put Auto. Here you need to experiment. If you are not lazy, then using the program inSSIDer you can find a free channel, and set it in the settings of your router.

I will not describe in detail, just give you a link to the article How to find a free Wi-Fi channel, and change the channel on the router? In it I told in detail about channels and how to find a channel which is not busy. Also, there are instructions on how to change the channel on routers from different manufacturers.

2 Switching your network to 802.11N mode. Generally, all routers default to a b/g/n mixed mode (11bgn mixed) wireless network. If you force the router to broadcast Wi-Fi in 802.11N operating mode, it can increase not only the speed but also the range of Wi-Fi coverage (if your router has more than one antenna).

The only problem is that if you have older devices that don't support 802.11N mode, they simply won't see your network. If you don't have older devices, then without a doubt switch your network to n mode. It's very easy to do this. Go to your router's settings, usually at 192.168.1.1, or 192.168.0.1 (see here for detailed instructions on how to enter the settings).

How can I increase the range of my Wi-Fi network with additional devices?

1 Install a repeater, or set up a second router in amplifier mode. Of all the recommendations that you will see here, or even find on the Internet, this method is the most effective and reliable. However, you will have to spend a lot of money on a repeater.

A repeater is a small device which should be installed in a place where your Wi-Fi signal is still there, but it is not very strong anymore. And the repeater will simply extend your main network, i.e. "transmit" it further. I wrote about these devices in detail in the article: what is a Wi-Fi repeater (repeater), how it works, and what does a router in repeater mode mean?

Regular routers can act as a repeater. Here are instructions on how to set up ZyXEL and Asus routers in repeater mode:

If you have Wi-Fi not "getting" to some rooms, then installing a repeater will solve this problem. And if you have a house with several floors, you can install a router on the first floor, and a repeater on the second floor. It's a great and working scheme.

2 Changing the router antennas to more powerful ones. If your router has removable antennas, you can buy stronger antennas and thereby increase your network coverage a little. Why a little? Because replacing antennas usually does not give very good results. It is there, but not such that would increase the radius of several rooms. In any case, you have to spend money on antennas. And it seems to me that it is much better to spend this money on a repeater. Yes, it will cost more, but it is much more useful.

If you decide to change the antennas, then buy a powerful, with a gain of 8 dBi. But they are expensive and a few antennas like this will cost you as much as a repeater.

3 Buy a new router and upgrade to 5 GHz. You can buy a more powerful, expensive router. Better yet, a router that supports the 5 GHz band. What is the advantage of the range of 5 GHz? It is practically free, nowadays most all networks and other devices work in the 2.4 GHz band. Less interference means more speed and a more stable network.

Control how applications access the Internet

If someone in your house is constantly watching streaming video, playing online games, downloading large files, it can significantly slow down the network. You should pay special attention to torrent clients. Some of them are configured in such a way that they automatically start at system startup and continue downloading and distributing data in the background. A separate pain is computer games, which quietly download multi-gigabyte updates and add-ons.

By default, the manufacturer sets the same well-known logins and passwords on all its routers. Each user has to change them himself to protect his network from unauthorized access. But unfortunately not everyone does it.

If you don't want your neighbors to use your wireless network to get in your way, you need to configure your router in detail. You can read how to do this in our "How to protect your Wi-Fi network and router" guide.

Boost your Wi-Fi signal

With the coverage of a large multi-storey house made of bricks or with a multi-room apartment with a complex layout can not cope with any router – in remote corners of the Wi-Fi will work choppy or the network will stop catching at all. You will need to use a signal booster – repeaters or mesh-systems.

Repeater. Takes the signal from the main router and creates an additional network with the same name around it. Suitable if the router does not support mesh-networks and its signal is not enough to make Wi-Fi work throughout the house. It is important to consider that the repeater creates additional delay in the network, so it is not suitable for games on a PC or console, where ping (delay in data exchange) is important.

Repeater catches the signal from the router (in the overlapping coverage area) and distributes it around itself with separate antennas

Mesh system. This is a set of two or three modules or more (can include up to several dozen devices), similar to full-fledged routers. The system scales the Wi-Fi signal and creates a single wireless network. It uses a separate channel for data exchange between access points, so the ping in such networks is not increased. Suitable if you have many devices and rooms and need a good signal everywhere.

The mesh-system modules get the signal from the main device on a separate channel, so the speed in the main network does not drop

To check if your router supports the mesh system, look at its specifications in the manual or on the manufacturer's website. If they have the designation mesh or mesh Wi-Fi, then you can connect one or more mesh modules to it and get a large-scale network.

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As a result, instead of staying in his two-room house, my mother-in-law sat under his nose in the evenings, explaining that she needed the Internet. I suppose she sat there during the day too, but since my acquaintance was at work during that time, this problem did not bother him much. To make a long story short: fighting with his wife, resentment, and yelling, to name a few of the problems that came down on his head. He needed urgent help. Getting wireless Internet into his mother-in-law's annex didn't work, because no carrier was working consistently outside the city. The signal was weak or simply nonexistent. It is worth noting that about 5 years ago my friend's house had high speed internet with constant speed of 80MB. It was not much for the city but compared to 4 Mb which he had it was a real breakthrough.

By the time I got there, my friend (let's call him Peter) had tried every method he knew. All this time he had a router that his operator sold him: the P-LINK TL-WR841N. Quite a normal machine, which is enough for the needs of three people. As you might have guessed, Pete has a wife and a child who also has her own laptop. The wife has enough of a tablet that is connected to the router. I can't say that the mother-in-law has put a lot of strain on the network, but it was extremely difficult to tolerate her presence all the time. So, let's list what my acquaintance had already done by the time I arrived:

Moved the router as close to the door as possible, hoping it would make it to my mother-in-law's house. It did not lead to anything good, because after such self-dealing revolted son Peter, who claimed that the signal on the 2nd floor, where his room was located, has become worse. Alas, the signal did not reach his mother-in-law. Next we will not count the useful recommendations from the Internet, which were used by my acquaintance, noting that there were 5 in total.

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The next step was to buy a more powerful antenna. Peter went to the router manufacturer's website and bought the following thing: TL-ANT2409CL. This is a 9 dBi omnidirectional amplified antenna. Since the P-LINK TL-WR841N router has two antennas, I had to spend twice as much. Alas, though in some cases it can increase the range of the router, in this situation the router has a fixed antenna, so I had to send my purchase back. Fortunately, the money for it was returned.

The next desperate step was to make a parabolic mirror. You have not heard of it? Neither had I heard of it, but it exists! It is a simple device made of foil glued to heavy paper. The simple device is mounted on the antenna, focusing the signal, which can theoretically increase the range of the router. Peter spent an entire evening on this, giving up his beloved Tanks. My mother-in-law never got internet, and everyone else couldn't use it at all, because the network was now getting good reception outside and in the summer kitchen, but it was gone on the second floor. Another fiasco. I don't know how effective the method is, but in this case it didn't work.

Redirect the signal.

This method may seem the most strange and crazy, but it works. Its essence is that it is necessary to construct a homemade product. The basic material is suitable foil or tin. Of these materials is a kind of sail, which is placed behind the antennas router.

As a result, the signal is repulsed and sent in a certain direction, which is suitable for those who can not put the router in the center of the apartment or house, because hamper walls and other obstacles. Only this whole construction looks far from aesthetically pleasing.

Update the software

Finally, we recommend updating the software, because just like any other device, utilities and so on, routers also receive regular updates. And this advice applies not only to model nuances, but also to software. Any software should be updated regularly, and in the case of routers, it is especially important because it can greatly optimize the operation of the device.

In an extreme case, you can buy a new router, because they, like any other type of equipment, become obsolete after a certain amount of time. Although before a radical solution, it is still recommended to try each method, since many of them really solve problems with poor connectivity.

Amplification with the help of additional devices

In addition to changing the software parameters of the wi-fi router to improve its signal and increase its coverage area, you can also use special devices. This approach will be appropriate if none of the software methods gave the desired result and wi-fi router did not improve the signal due to the operation at its maximum parameters. It can also be of interest to all those who like to make something with their own hands, somehow to improve wireless adapters.

Replacing the standard antenna for a more powerful one

Each wi-fi router has a different design – some have only one antenna, others have two, three. The number of antennas determine the signal density, the more there are, the more steely the signal is characterized by the router. But not only the number of antennas determines the quality and speed of the Internet, it is also important to consider the power of the antenna.

Therefore, if the router has a free slot to install one more or you can replace one of the weak antennas, buy a more powerful antenna. It is desirable not less than 5dB, if there is such a possibility, then 7dB. Note that you can take a model with a cord to replace the antenna, it can also be installed at a distance from the router, which can significantly improve wi-fi signal or move the access point.

Repeater Installation

Due to the fact that at a distance the wi-fi router signal gradually decreases, after 30 to 50 meters it will become so weak that no device will be able to connect to the Internet. Therefore, to strengthen the signal, you can install a special device – a repeater, which repeats the broadcast over a given distance. Repeater setup is quite simple – you connect it to the network and it starts working together with the main router.

Useful Tips

The above methods are a powerful means to improve router broadcasts, but they are not enough. Therefore, further we will add to the above methods a few more practical tips that will also help to strengthen the wi-fi signal.

Setting up a receiver on a laptop or computer

Both stationary and portable types of equipment have built-in wi-fi signal receivers. And in case of their incorrect operation or weak parameters of the adapter, no actions in the interface of the router or with its antennae will not give you any positive results.

In such a situation, setting up a wi-fi receiver via the Control Panel will help. Or install an additional antenna for the adapter.

Replacing the router with a modern one

It is also worth noting that not all routers you can endlessly improve in order to strengthen the signal. In some cases, you will simply need a new router, so if you decide to buy one, pay attention that the model was equipped with two to three antennas and broadcast within 5dB.

Choosing a router location

In addition to devices giving strong electromagnetic radiation in the surrounding space, an important role is also played by furniture with thick walls of compressed sawdust, and foil insulation, iron structures and other interior details. Therefore, when choosing the location of the router, it is important to achieve minimum blockage of the wi-fi signal propagation path by such obstacles.

It is also important to consider at least approximate points of reception, so that the router had as equal distance from them as possible. Installing it in the middle of a dwelling or distribution area is considered ideal, but in practice this is not always possible.

Reboot the router

This method is associated with temporary difficulties in broadcasting the signal, when you can not connect to the network, the gadget shows weak signal strength or no signal. In most cases, to reset the router to a normal mode of signal transmission is carried out with a special button, but even this action is not always enough.

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