RSSI - Received Signal Strength Indicator (usually 0-60 or 0-255).

Mid-accuracy mid-comprehensible most common used by engineers.

dBm - Decibels in relation to milliwatts (usually -30 to -90).

Most accurate but hardest to measure used by scientists and engineers.

So here's a quick and easy breakdown of how we measure signal strength: While other chipsets might use different values, such as 0-100 or even 0-255.Īs if trying to understand the physics of WiFi wasn't confusing enough, the units of measurement are just as complicated. We see this unit of measurement different all the time because it's being pulled from the client device.įor example, the Atheros WiFi chipset measures RSSI based on values 0 (no signal) to 60 (max. However, radio waves are not directional so their movements are more like ripples in a pond and less like the laser beams in a Star Wars movie.īut RSSI is only a relative index because each manufacturer uses an arbitrary set of units. These wavelengths are the size of buildings, invisible, and essentially travel at the speed of light. They are the lowest frequency waves in the EM spectrum. For this reason, WiFi signals are also known as RF (Radio Frequency) signals. WiFi signals are a type of electromagnetic (EM) wavelengths that are transmitted in the air called radio waves.

How to optimize your WiFi signal strength?.How to check the strength of your WiFi signal.How do we measure WiFi signal strength?.For example, while it may seem like a good idea to buy a bunch of WiFi extenders or boost the transmit power of your access points, but it may hurt your WiFi connectivity more than it helps.

Understanding WiFi signals and signal strength is key to every good WLAN design. This is NOT the actual signal that your access point is transmitting.Ī common reason why you may be experiencing connectivity issues is due to poor WiFi signal strength. WiFi signal strength is the measurement of power from the perspective of your WiFi enabled device (phone, tablet, laptop etc.) indicated in graphic bars or notated numerically in RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) level.

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