Wifi Speed Signal Quality
The signal speed translates in the speed that’s shown in the wireless connection in your computer, in megabytes. This speed is actually dictated by the wireless connection strength and propagation means.
There are several factors that can interfere with the speed and the signal quality of a wireless network. We can mention here factors that are strictly specific to the wireless equipment that’s used and other factors that have nothing to do with it but are affected by the way the wireless signal travels in the outside environments.
The first factor that defines the speed of the wifi signal is the router or wireless transmitter we are using. Every similar piece of equipment has these features specified in the user’s manual or directly on the box they come in. The main thing that differentiates routers is the wireless protocol they are functioning on. There are two main type of protocols, 802.11a and 802.11b or g. The first one emits a signal that operates on high wireless frequencies, so it can be propagated easier and farther when we are talking about an outdoors environment that has no or minimum obstacles to stand in the way of the signal.
But this signal is in general considered more vulnerable that the one used by models 802.11 b/g, because in a natural home environment or in cities, it will encounter lots of obstacles that will diminish a lot the signal quality. Because it operates on a higher frequency, it is very vulnerable to these obstacles.
The latter model is a newer technology and has been proven to work better indoors, mainly because it operates on lower wireless frequencies and it can encounter less interference this way.
Other internet factors that can affect the quality of the wireless speed on one individual computer are related to the use of the wireless network. If you are not the only one using the connection, you will be noticing obvious changes in the internet connection speed as other also connect to the wireless network. If they use all the bandwidth, downloading or uploading from the internet or through the network, you might even encounter significant decreases that in some cases lead to a temporary loss of signal.
The external factors that affect the speed of the connection are all the things that can interfere with the wireless frequency and waves. For example, in a home, if you turn on a microwave or use a wireless phone at some point, someone using a wireless connection in your house will observe a decrease in signal speed at those moments, because the frequency it needs to transmit itself is busy with other signals.
Electronic equipments or static objects in the home can also affect the speed of the signal. This is why you must minimize the number of brick or concrete walls that stand in the way of the signal, as well as make sure the transmitter is placed away from walls or metal objects.
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