Signal strength refers to the power level of a Wi-Fi signal received by a device, measured in decibels relative to a milliwatt (dBm).
At -65 dBm, users typically experience smooth connectivity, enabling real-time communications, streaming, and web browsing with minimal interruptions.
Designing Wi-Fi Networks with -65 dBm as the Baseline
AP Placement
To ensure the signal strength remains above -65 dBm, access points (APs) must be strategically positioned to provide consistent coverage across the area.
In large or obstructed environments, installing additional APs may be necessary to avoid weak spots or dead zones.
Coverage Planning
KloudWIFI’s expert survey team will meticulously map signal strength, ensuring that all areas maintain a minimum of -65 dBm.
This is particularly crucial in environments with multiple walls, floors, or other obstructions that can weaken the signal.
Power Adjustment
Access points can have their transmit power fine-tuned to meet the -65 dBm threshold in the required coverage area.
This balances strong coverage while minimizing interference with nearby APs, ensuring seamless connectivity across the network.
Capacity Planning
Access points can have their transmit power fine-tuned to meet the -65 dBm threshold in the required coverage area.
This balances strong coverage while minimizing interference with nearby APs, ensuring seamless connectivity across the network.
Secondary Signal Strength: Min -72.0 dBm
Definition
The secondary signal strength refers to the minimum signal strength from a backup or secondary access point (AP) that ensures smooth roaming and redundancy in Wi-Fi networks.
A minimum of -72 dBm guarantees reliable connectivity when a device switches from one AP to another or in the event of primary AP failure.
Network Design Considerations
AP Placement: Ensure access points are positioned to provide at least -72 dBm from secondary APs, enabling seamless roaming.
Coverage Overlap: Maintain sufficient overlap between APs to ensure strong backup signals, but avoid too much overlap to prevent interference.
Roaming Optimization: Fine-tune signal thresholds to ensure smooth transitions between APs, minimizing connection drops or performance issues.
Redundancy: Design the network for failover capability, allowing users to maintain connectivity even if the primary AP is down.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Min 25.0 dB
Definition
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) measures the strength of the Wi-Fi signal compared to background noise.
SNR is calculated by subtracting the noise level (in dB) from the received signal strength (in dBm). For example, if the signal is -50 dBm and the noise level is -75 dBm, the SNR is 25 dB.
A minimum of 25 dB ensures a strong signal for reliable performance, reducing errors and enabling smooth connectivity for real-time applications.
Network Design Considerations
AP Placement: Place access points to minimize noise, ensuring a strong signal that maintains at least a 25 dB SNR.
Interference Mitigation: Use non-overlapping channels (e.g., channels 1, 6, 11 in 2.4 GHz) to reduce co-channel interference.
Power Adjustment: Adjust AP transmit power to maintain coverage while reducing noise from adjacent APs.
Environment Analysis: Regularly assess noise levels, especially in high-interference areas, to maintain the desired SNR.
Data Rate: Min 24 Mbps
Definition
Data rate is the speed at which data is transmitted between a device and an access point (AP) in a Wi-Fi network, measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
A minimum data rate of 24 Mbps ensures reliable performance for common tasks like video streaming, web browsing, and VoIP, providing enough bandwidth for smooth, real-time communication and moderate data transfers.
Wi-Fi networks support various data rates, ranging from low (e.g., 1 Mbps) to high (e.g., 600 Mbps or more on modern networks). The actual rate depends on factors like signal strength, distance from the AP, interference, and the Wi-Fi standard being used (e.g., 802.11n, 802.11ac, or 802.11ax).
Network Design Considerations
AP Placement: Position access points to ensure that devices maintain at least 24 Mbps data rate throughout the coverage area.
Coverage and Capacity Planning: Ensure enough APs are deployed to handle the expected number of users without dropping below the minimum data rate, especially in high-density areas.
Channel Utilization: Avoid interference by using non-overlapping channels and reduce channel width if necessary to maintain data rates.
Roaming Optimization: Ensure seamless transitions between APs so that the data rate doesn’t drop below 24 Mbps during movement across the network.
Channel Interference Max: 2 at Min. -80.0 dBm (2.4 GHz) / Max: 1 (5 GHz)
Definition
Channel interference happens when multiple networks or devices operate on the same or overlapping Wi-Fi channels, reducing performance.
For 2.4 GHz, the interference limit is Max 2 interfering networks at no stronger than -80 dBm. For 5 GHz, it is stricter, with a limit of Max 1.
Network Design Considerations
Channel Planning: Use non-overlapping channels (e.g., 1, 6, 11 for 2.4 GHz) and carefully allocate channels in the 5 GHz band to avoid interference.
Interference Detection: Conduct regular surveys to identify interference, especially in the 5 GHz band, and adjust AP placement and power to reduce congestion.
Capacity Management: In high-density environments, ensure adequate AP distribution and load balancing to prevent interference beyond the set limits.
Power Control: Adjust AP transmit power to reduce signal spillover and avoid excess interference in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
Round Trip Time (RTT): Max 200 ms
Definition
Round Trip Time (RTT) is the total time it takes for a data packet to travel from a device to the destination (e.g., server or AP) and back, measured in milliseconds (ms).
An RTT max of 200 ms ensures that network latency is kept low enough to support responsive communication, particularly for time-sensitive applications like video conferencing and online gaming.
Network Design Considerations
Optimized Routing: Ensure efficient paths between devices and servers by reducing the number of hops and selecting optimal routes.
Minimize Congestion: Avoid network congestion through load balancing, sufficient bandwidth allocation, and prioritization of critical traffic.
Latency-Sensitive Applications: Implement Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize time-sensitive traffic like VoIP and streaming, keeping RTT below 200 ms.
Monitor Performance: Continuously monitor RTT across the network to identify latency spikes and adjust network configurations or resolve bottlenecks.
Channel Interference Max: 2 at Min. -80.0 dBm (2.4 GHz) / Max: 1 (5 GHz)
Definition
Packet loss refers to data packets that fail to reach their destination across a network.
A 0.0% packet loss requirement means that no packets should be lost during transmission, ensuring full data integrity and optimal performance, especially for real-time applications like VoIP, video conferencing, and online gaming.
Network Design Considerations
Bandwidth Management: Ensure there is sufficient bandwidth to prevent congestion and avoid packet drops during peak usage times.
Interference Reduction: Minimize wireless interference by using non-overlapping channels and optimal AP placement to avoid packet loss caused by signal degradation.
Network Redundancy: Implement failover mechanisms and redundancy in the network to handle potential packet drops and ensure continuous data flow.
Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Use network monitoring tools to detect and address any packet loss issues in real time, ensuring 0.0% packet loss is maintained.
