Wireless Networking

Using Antennas to Extend and Enhance Wireless Connections

4dBi Desktop Antenna, 5dBi Swivel Antenna, 9dBi Directional Antenna

Technical Note
This note was developed to provide practical information
about the use of U.S. Robotics antenna accessories with
802.11b/802.11g wireless LAN products. The U.S. Robotics
Family of Wireless Antennas described in the following
sections is designed to connect to any wireless device that
uses Reverse SMA (female) connectors.

Overview
A critical determinant to the successful implementation of a wireless LAN solution
often revolves around providing appropriate antennas to support home and office
environments. Wireless connection speeds and reliability are dependent on both
distance and signal obstructions. These obstructions can be the walls, floors and
ceilings of various constructions, as well as other less obvious items such as metal
filing cabinets. In real-world use the distances you might attain will vary according to
these conditions.

U.S. Robotics developed various antenna options to assist in optimizing wireless LAN
solutions based on 802.11g and 802.11b wireless LAN standards. The maximum
distance information provided for each antenna is based on engineering computations
included in an appendix to this document.

Desktop Computer Wireless Enhancement

Antenna Solution - US Robotics 4dBi Desktop Antenna (USR5480)

The U.S. Robotics 4dBi desktop antenna is designed to attach to 802.11b and 802.11g
wireless PCI cards via its reverse polarity SMA (female) connector.

Since PCI cards are normally installed into desktop PCs, the directly attached antenna
must deliver a signal through the metal PC case and often compete with the “noisy”
behind-the-desktop environment. The 4dBi Desktop Antenna allows for flexible
placement on the desktop away from these potential interferences. As a result, the
reception level of the wireless signal will improve significantly.
The Desktop Antenna can also be mounted on a wall or window if desired, using
included mounting tape.
 With the 4dBi antenna, theoretically a distance of about 300 meters
can be covered.

Specifications
• Gain: 4dBi
• Nominal impedance: 50 Ohms
• Frequency range: 2.4-2.5 GHz
• VSWR: <2:1
• Omni-directional

Wireless Router, Access Point, Bridge and Repeater Enhancement

Antenna Solution – U.S. Robotics 5dBi Swivel Antenna (USR5481)

The U.S. Robotics 5dBi Swivel Antenna comes standard with the U.S. Robotics Wireless
Turbo Multi-Function Access Point but can also be purchased to enhance wireless
connectivity for a wide variety of wireless devices. It attaches directly to male
reverse SMA connectors and provides for improved range and coverage of 802.11b and
802.11g wireless routers, access points, bridges and repeaters.

In typical situations, signal coverage will allow for wireless connection throughout a
home or small business. This antenna would typically replace standard 2dBi antennas,
which are normally shipped with this class of wireless device, in order to increase the
range and/or expand the coverage area.

With this 5dBi antenna, theoretically a distance of about 500 meters

can be covered.

Specifications:
• Gain: 5dBi
• Nominal impedance: 50 Ohms
• Frequency range: 2.4-2.5 GHz
• VSWR: <2:1
• Omni-directional

Delivering Directional Coverage in Large Areas

Antenna Solution – U.S. Robotics 9dBi Directional Panel Antenna (USR5482)

As the requirement for wireless connectivity grows, companies often want to provide
focused wireless coverage in large areas like auditoriums, cafeterias or even between
buildings. The U.S. Robotics 9dBi Directional Panel Antenna was designed to deliver a
broad, focused signal for 802.11b and 802.11g wireless access points, bridges and
routers.
It is outdoor-rated so it can support applications outside of buildings. This 9dBi high-
gain antenna can deliver links of up to one kilometer. It can be particularly useful to
link local area networks of two buildings wirelessly, eliminating the need to run cable
or use leased lines. However, careful planning is required to achieve these distances.
The user should research link budgets and Fresnal zones1 to ensure a good connection.

Specifications:
• Gain: 9dBi
• Nominal impedance: 50 Ohms
• Frequency range: 2.4-2.5 GHz
• VSWR: <1.5:1
• Directional antenna
• Polarization
o Vertical (60°) or horizontal (60°) linear
o Left-hand circular

1
In radio communications, one of a (theoretically infinite) number of a concentric ellipsoids of revolution which
define volumes in the radiation pattern of a (usually) circular aperture.
 Appendix - Calculating wireless coverage distances

Free space loss

Free space loss is one of the initial measurements to be calculated in order to
develop distance estimates for wireless solutions.

“Spreading” is the principle contributor to signal loss for line of sight signal
propagation. As a signal radiates it “spreads” or expands into a spherical surface.
The available RF power is distributed over this surface and weakens with increasing
range. The signal is reduced by 6 dB every time the distance from the source
doubles. To compute the loss path between the source radiators with spherical
patterns use the following equation:

Lp= 92.45 + 20Log10F + 20Log10d

Lp= path loss in decibels

F= frequency in GHz
dB= decibels
d= distance in kilometers

Free Space Loss Example

A distance of 6 kilometers provides a free space loss of -115.67 dB.

Distance/Km Gain
Loss/dB
0.5 94.0
1.0 100.0
1.5 103.5
2 106.0
3 109.5
4 112.0
5 114.0
10 120.0
15 123.5
20 126.0

The link budget

For each link a “'link budget” needs to be made. The link budget will calculate the
signal level through the link and predict the signal level at the receiver's side.
Within the “link budget” there are a few parameters that are influenced by the
location of the link: humidity and terrain roughness. The length of the link also has
a major influence on the “link budget”.
 Appendix - Calculating wireless coverage distances
It is best to consider the link in three stages:

1. The transmitting end: Consisting of the transmitter (e.g. access point,

router etc.), the antenna cable and the antenna.
2. The middle bit: This is considered the distance between the two sites.
3. The receiving end: The receiver (e.g. access point or wireless device),
the antenna cable and the antenna.

The link budget calculation is as follows:

Link budget= Ptx – LL + Gtx + FSPL – LL + Grx –Prx

Where:
Ptx = Output power of transmitter in dBm
LL = Antenna and cable losses at transmitter in dB
Gtx = Transmitter Antenna gain in dBi
FSPL = “Free Space Loss” propagation loss in dB (negative
number, see table on previous page)
LL = Antenna and cable losses at receiver in dB
Grx = Receiver antenna gain in dBi
Prx = Receiver sensitivity in dBm (negative number)

Link Budget Example

This example is based on the need to bridge a point-to-point distance of 1 Km over

average terrain in a dry climate. The bridge must perform at full speed (e.g.
54Mbps).

To be able to do this, we first select the components we need. Assume that the
wireless connections use “standard” access power devices (i.e.32mW or 15dbm) and
9dbi gain USR5482 antenna at each end.
 Appendix - Calculating wireless coverage distances
These are the values to be used in the calculation:

Ptx = 15 dBm (Output power of the transmitting access point)

LL = 3 dB (Cable + connector attenuation for a CO 100 cable of 5m at 2.45
GHz)
Gtx = 9 dBi (Antenna gain)
FSPL = -100 dB (see table on page 4 for 1 km)
Prx = -80 dB (Receiver sensitivity value for a typical access point at 54
Mbit/s)
LL = 3 dB (Cable + connector attenuation for a CO 100 cable of 5m at 2.45
GHz)
Grx = 9 dBi (Antenna gain for USR5482)

This gives:
15-3+9-100-3+9+80=7 dB

This means a margin of about 7 dB on the link. This is a good margin with which to
work, providing confidence that the connectivity required will be achieved. In
general a margin of 5 dB is the lowest level that will provide acceptable results.

This signal is a calculation under ideal circumstances, however, the radio path can
be disturbed by weather conditions or antennas can suffer degradations. The user
must also ensure that the installation does not infringe upon any local or national
laws.