There are a lot of factors that contribute to how effectively your organization's wireless network runs. One of these factors is the transmit power of each access point (AP), which is the strength with which each AP transmits signals. Operating an AP on full transmission power can be beneficial in some cases, but it also has its drawbacks when not managed properly. There are some cases in which adjusting your Wi-Fi transmission power one way or the other will improve your network's performance.
How Does Transmission Power Work?
Transmission power is the strength with which each AP transmits signals. It is usually measured in dBm (decibels relative to one milliwatt). The higher the transmission power, the better your signal will travel, and the larger area you'll be able to cover.
However, this doesn't mean that you want your APs to operate at the highest transmit power possible to increase the distance the signal travels as much as possible. When an AP runs on too much transmit power, it can cause interference by overpowering other APs. This could be a problem in office spaces, where several APs are vying for the same frequency. That's why adjusting your transmit power according to your environment and needs is essential.
Signal Interference And Power
When an AP operates on a high transmission power, it will overpower other devices in the same frequency range. This can be especially problematic if the neighboring device uses a frequency similar to yours. For example, if two APs are operating on the same frequency, and one is powered up more than the other, this can cause interference for both devices. As a result, neither device will be able to transmit data effectively.
The same principle applies even when two nearby devices are transmitting on different frequencies. If an AP is broadcasting on too high a transmission power for its given frequency, it can still interfere with the signals of devices operating in a different frequency range.
Would Turning Down The Power Decrease Coverage?
Contrary to popular belief, reducing your transmission power does not necessarily reduce the overall coverage of your Wi-Fi network. Reducing the power of an AP can actually increase signal strength in areas that are close by and reduce interference with neighboring APs. This is because when an AP operates on a higher power level, it will reach further, but the signal will be lower in strength than it would be if the AP were operating on a lower power level. This is due to propagation loss; as radio waves travel further away from their source, they become weaker and are more easily blocked or absorbed.
Therefore, when an AP operates at too high a transmission power for its given frequency range, it can reduce coverage in areas close by because the signal is weaker than it would be at a lower transmission power. By reducing its power level, the AP can increase coverage and provide stronger signals closer to the AP.
Transmit Power And Wi-Fi Roaming
If an AP operates on a higher transmission power than the one its client device is connected to, it can interfere with wireless roaming – even if this AP is on a different frequency. This occurs when a client device connected to one AP attempts to switch to another AP with an even stronger signal.
When this happens, the client device will constantly switch between the two APs as it attempts to find the strongest signal. This constant switching can cause connectivity issues, which is why it's important to configure your APs with a consistent transmission power across all frequencies.
How High-Power Access Points Interfere With Each Other
When multiple APs are operating on a similar frequency and similar power levels, they can compete with each other for airtime. This is because the APs will transmit at maximum strength to reach as many devices as possible. As a result, this can cause interference between the APs and weaken the signal overall.
To prevent this from happening, you should configure your APs with lower power levels. This will ensure that the APs don't interfere with each other and also prevent them from competing for airtime.
High Transmission Power And Signal Distortion
When an AP is operating on too high a power level, this can cause distortion of the wireless signal. This occurs when an AP transmits at a higher power than its hardware is designed to handle. The result is that the transmitted signal will be distorted and may even lead to network errors.
This distortion could potentially affect all connected devices, leading to degraded performance or even wireless connection drops. It's important to note that this is not a problem with the actual hardware but rather caused by the AP operating on too high a power level.
Configuring your APs with an appropriate transmission power for their given environment is best to avoid signal distortion and network errors. This will ensure your Wi-Fi network runs smoothly and all connected devices receive a strong, reliable signal.
How Low Power Leads To High Network Performance
When it comes to wireless networks, there is a trade-off between power and performance. Operating an AP on too high a power level will reduce the overall performance of your Wi-Fi network, while operating multiple low-power APs can actually lead to better performance than just a single high-power AP.
The reason for this is that a low-power AP will transmit a stronger signal in areas that are close by, and this can lead to an increase in overall performance. Furthermore, operating multiple low-power APs allows for better coverage of the networked area without sacrificing speed or reliability.
When Should You Add More Access Points?
When adding more APs to a wireless network, the best opportunity is when areas in the networked environment could benefit from improved signal strength or coverage. This can be done by installing additional APs in strategic locations where they will provide the most benefit.
It's important to note that any new APs should meet all the requirements for the existing network, such as frequency, power level, and authentication protocols. Adding an AP to a network should not be done lightly – it's important to ensure that all new APs are correctly configured to provide the best performance possible.
In addition, it's also vital to monitor your wireless network regularly to ensure it is performing optimally. This will help you identify any areas that may require additional APs and take the necessary steps to resolve any existing issues with your network.
When To Implement Band Steering
Band steering is a feature that allows APs to distribute connected devices between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, depending on which band offers the best performance. This can help improve overall network performance since it ensures that all connected devices use the best possible frequency for their needs.
It can also reduce transmission power by selectively assigning devices to the frequency band with lower power requirements. This can help reduce interference and increase overall network performance, as devices on the less congested band can send and receive data more quickly.
Consider implementing band steering if you have too many devices on one frequency band or your network struggles to cope with the amount of traffic. Band steering can help reduce interference and improve performance by evenly distributing connected devices across both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies.
Your Wi-Fi’s Transmission Power Can Be Controlled
Adjusting the transmission power of your Wi-Fi network can be a great way to improve performance and reduce interference. By setting the APs to lower power levels, you can ensure that they don't interfere with each other and will provide better coverage of the networked area without sacrificing speed or reliability.
From a business perspective, this is extremely beneficial in the long run as it will help ensure your Wi-Fi network performs optimally. This can lead to an overall improvement in customer satisfaction, a reduction in operational costs, and an increase in customer loyalty.
Moreover, implementing good practices such as configuring APs with appropriate transmission power levels and using band steering can help maximize the performance of your wireless network and ensure that all connected devices receive a reliable signal. This will help you make the most of your Wi-Fi network while also reducing the costs associated with maintaining it.
There’s more than just one way to improve wireless network performance. Consult with the professionals at Hummingbird Networks for more information!
