In this article, we take a look at Wi-Fi signal strength. We define the basics, like signal loss, gain, and causes, as well as how to measure it with 7SIGNAL’s Wi-Fi optimization solutions.
Here’s what we cover in this article:
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It should go without saying that Wi-Fi signal strength is important. From an enterprise perspective this is especially true since Wi-Fi plays an essential role in everything from productivity and collaboration to enterprise security, IoT integration, and customer experience.
Now, a little later on in this article, we’ll discuss ways enterprises and other organizations can leverage solutions — like the 7SIGNAL platform — to efficiently monitor, measure, and optimize Wi-Fi signal strength. But, before we get there, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page.
Below we cover the basics: what is Wi-Fi signal strength, what is signal loss, what is signal gain, what factors impact Wi-Fi signal, and why it’s important for enterprises to keep an eye on Wi-Fi signal strength.
Let’s start at the beginning. Wi-Fi signal strength refers to the power and quality of a wireless signal transmitted by a Wi-Fi access point and received by wireless devices, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, IoT devices, etc.
Signal strength is quantified in the -dBm format, with 0 being the strongest possible signal and -100 being the weakest. When a signal is robust, it offers better connectivity experiences and device performance. On the other hand, weaker Wi-Fi signals can result in slower data transfer speeds, connection drops, and reduced network reliability.
In any event, while it’s not necessary to monitor signal strength in most small deployments (home Wi-Fi, small businesses, etc.), doing so is extremely important in larger environments (office buildings, shopping centers, concert venues, etc.) where network performance is often strongly associated with bottom-line revenue. For this reason, most organizations that manage complex Wi-Fi networks use tools to measure Wi-Fi performance and diagnose root causes of signal interruptions (more on this in a moment!).
Wi-Fi signal loss, sometimes referred to as "signal attenuation," is the reduction of Wi-Fi signal strength as it travels through space. Several factors can contribute to Wi-Fi signal loss, including distance between access points and clients, physical obstructions, interference from electronic devices and other Wi-Fi networks, Wi-Fi frequency, router capacity, outdated software and firmware, etc.
On the flip side, signal gain refers to when a Wi-Fi signal’s strength increases. Gain is often associated with things like antenna gain and directionality, as well as amplifier gain.
There’s a number of things that impact Wi-Fi signal strength. However, the most common are as follows:
Measuring Wi-Fi signal strength isn’t just about ensuring connectivity to the Internet — it has real, tangible benefits. For example, access to high-performance Wi-Fi facilitates employee and system productivity, corporate security, enjoyable user experiences, and informed, data-driven decisions that align with an enterprise's operational needs and goals.
Here are 11 reasons enterprises should be measuring and optimizing signal strength across their Wi-Fi ecosystem:
Alright, so clearly measuring Wi-Fi signal loss and gain is extremely important. Here’s where we introduce you to the 7SIGNAL platform. In particular, we’ll quickly show you two ways you can use 7SIGNAL to audit signal strength in your enterprise’s network and identify areas for improvement.
We’ll show you two 7SIGNAL dashboards:
First up, let’s take a look at 7SIGNAL’s average signal strength dashboard, where you can (unsurprisingly) monitor and measure signal strength across your network. Here’s what it looks like:
While coming up with good network design and selecting high-quality antennae is important, measuring signal strength is absolutely essential for understanding what’s happening in a particular Wi-Fi environment.
This is where the 7SIGNAL Sapphire Eye solution comes into the picture. For those unfamiliar with Sapphire Eye, it’s a Wi-Fi sensor designed for enterprise usage. It feeds real-time network performance data, such as received signal strength for each AP, to 7SIGNAL’s dashboards, enabling you to make informed enhancements to the digital experiences you offer end users.
To demonstrate, take a look at the section inside the red box below:
The lines inside the box depict a particular access point operating at roughly -70 dBm. However, at some point, the network jumped to -67 dBm, indicating that something either entered the environment or was removed from the environment that caused the jump. In this case, there’s a good chance something entered the environment since, an hour later, the network fell back to -73 dBm.
Now, it’s worth pointing out that fluctuating between -67 and -73 dBm is a pretty massive jump. Indeed, every 6 dBm change has an impact that’s roughly equivalent to doubling the distance between the endpoint and the access point. So when you see a jump that big, it’s important to keep in mind that it has a major impact on data rates.
Okay, next up, the average access point signal to noise ratio dashboard. Here’s what it look like:
This dashboard depicts what happens in your network as it becomes “noisy.” That is, it shows what happens when devices begin to move in and out of the environment, as crowds of people begin to move about, as end users begin accessing multiple devices, etc.
Of course, every Wi-Fi network functions perfectly when they're empty. This dashboard tells you how they look when they’re at capacity. Do they bend, or do they break?
Now, take a look at this point down here:
The signal-to-noise ratio plummeted 15 dBm. This is a good case to investigate in this particular network since, to achieve high data rates, you need your network to be operating in the neighborhood of -25 dBm or -30 dBm.
So there you have it. With 7SIGNAl you can monitor signal strength in real time and monitor how your network performs as it reaches capacity.
Eric Camulli, VP and Customer Success Officer at 7SIGNAL, covered the subject above in a recent segment on our weekly webinar. You can watch the full recording here:
We’re always here to answer your Wi-Fi questions at 7SIGNAL. Our enterprise Wi-Fi optimization platform helps you plan and execute a healthier network. Contact us to learn more.
7SIGNAL® is the leader in enterprise Wi-Fi optimization, providing insight into wireless networks and control over Wi-Fi performance so businesses and organizations can thrive. Our cloud-based platform continually tests and measures Wi-Fi performance at the edges of the network, enabling fast solutions to digital experience issues and stronger connections for mission-critical users, devices, and applications. Learn more at www.7signal.com.