Deploying Wi-Fi networks is fraught with difficulties. The main problem is the limited coverage area of the router or access point. Indoors, the coverage area of the router, as a rule, does not exceed 45 meters.
At the same time, the quality of communication is affected by the number of walls and other obstacles, as well as the material from which they are made. So, a reinforced concrete wall attenuates the router signal by 20-25 db. That is, it is almost impossible to achieve a stable transceiver through two walls.
Increasing the power of the router and installing additional antennas does not completely solve the problem of signal attenuation. Therefore, to expand the coverage area, special equipment is used, such as Wi-Fi repeaters.
The principle of operation of the device is as follows: after turning on and configuring the repeater, it connects to the main access point and simply repeats the signal.
But most Wi-Fi equipment manufacturers produce a separate lineup of highly specialized devices.
Benefits of Wi-Fi repeaters:
- easy setup;
- affordable price;
- the ability to quickly expand the coverage area.
The disadvantages usually include the loss of the speed of the Internet connection, but the indicator usually does not exceed 10-15% of the total value. Manufacturers produce both compact repeaters with a built-in antenna and more powerful equipment with two or three external antennas.
Main technical characteristics:
- frequency range (2400 MHz; 5000 MHz, dual-band);
- data transfer rate (depending on 11b, 11g and 11n standard);
- sensitivity (in db) and actual transmitter power.
Almost all modern repeaters operate in dual bands and comply with the data transmission standards IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b.
How to choose the right
The selection of a suitable Wi-Fi repeater model is based on the following criteria:
- technical characteristics of equipment;
- features of the room (area, layout).
For a small apartment or one-story house, a compact repeater with a built-in antenna is considered the best option. As a rule, the signal from a properly installed router does not reach 1-2 rooms, so it is enough to install one Wi-Fi amplifier.
For offices, two-story cottages, and other large buildings, more powerful repeaters with external antennas should be used.
For the best results, special attention is paid to the detailed technical characteristics of the equipment. For example, the quality of coverage is affected not only by the transmitter power but also by the operating frequency range. So, equipment operating in two bands (2400 MHz and 5000 MHz) allows you to implement several connection schemes.
This solution allows you to maintain the data transfer rate, while significantly expanding the coverage area and minimizing interference from other equipment. However, if equipment operating only in the 2400 MHz band is already used in the office or at home, there is no point in purchasing a dual-band repeater.
By the way, there is another similar material on the site about strengthening the GSM and WIFI signal, where the organizational and technical aspects of this issue are also considered.
Typical problems are overheating, loss of signal, difficulties with setting up, and updating the firmware. The advantage of such amplifiers is one – low cost in comparison with branded products.