Radio Specifications
8-4
wireless communication range
wireless communication rangewireless communication range
wireless communication range
The range of the wireless signal is related to the composition of objects in the radio wave path, and the transmit rate of the
wireless communication. Communications at a lower transmit range may travel longer distances.
NOTE:
The range values listed in the Communications Range Chart are typical distances as measured at the development
laboratories. These values provide a rule of thumb and may vary according to the actual radio conditions at the
location where the product is used.
The range of your wireless devices can be affected when the antennas are placed near metal surfaces and solid high-density
materials. Ranges for outdoor antenna installations are related to type of outdoor antennas used, and length of antenna
cables. Range is also impacted due to “obstacles” in the signal path of the radio that may either absorb or reflect the radio
signal.
In Open Office environments, antennas can “see” each other (no physical obstructions between them). In Semi-open Office
environments, workspace is divided by shoulder-height, hollow wall elements; antennas are at desktop level. In a Closed Office
environment, solid walls and other obstructions may affect signal strength.
The following tables show typical range values for various environments.
Table 8-3
Table 8-3Table 8-3
Table 8-3 802.11b Wireless communication ranges
802.11b Wireless communication ranges 802.11b Wireless communication ranges
802.11b Wireless communication ranges
Table 8-4
Table 8-4Table 8-4
Table 8-4 802.11a Wireless communication ranges
802.11a Wireless communication ranges 802.11a Wireless communication ranges
802.11a Wireless communication ranges
range
rangerange
range 11 mbs
11 mbs11 mbs
11 mbs 5.5 mbs
5.5 mbs5.5 mbs
5.5 mbs 2 mbs
2 mbs2 mbs
2 mbs 1 mbs
1 mbs1 mbs
1 mbs
Open Office 160 m
(525 ft.)
270 m
(885 ft.)
400 m
(1300 ft.)
550 m
(1750 ft.)
Semi-Open Office 50 m
(165 ft.)
70 m
(230 ft.)
90 m
(300 ft.)
115 m
(375 ft.)
Closed Office 25 m
(80 ft.)
35 m
(115 ft.)
40 m
(130 ft.)
50 m
(165 ft.)
Receiver Sensitivity -82 dBm -87 dBm -91 dBm -94 dBm
Delay Spread
(at FER of <1%)
65 ns 225 ns 400 ns 500 ns
range
rangerange
range 54 mbs
54 mbs54 mbs
54 mbs 48 mbs
48 mbs48 mbs
48 mbs 36 mbs
36 mbs36 mbs
36 mbs 24 mbs
24 mbs24 mbs
24 mbs 18 mbs
18 mbs18 mbs
18 mbs 12 mbs
12 mbs12 mbs
12 mbs 9 mbs
9 mbs9 mbs
9 mbs 6 mbs
6 mbs6 mbs
6 mbs
Open Office 19 m
(62 ft. )
35 m
(115 ft. )
74 m
(243 ft. )
112 m
(367 ft. )
153 m
(502 ft. )
189 m
(620 ft. )
232 m
(761 ft. )
258 m
(846 ft. )
Semi-Open Office 17 m
(56 ft. )
29 m
(95 ft. )
34 m
(111 ft. )
49 m
(161 ft. )
63 m
(206 ft. )
76 m
(249 ft. )
90 m
(295 ft. )
99 m
(325 ft. )
Closed Office 15 m
(49 ft. )
24 m
(79 ft. )
27 m
(88 ft. )
36 m
(118 ft. )
45 m
(147 ft. )
52 m
(170 ft. )
60 m
(197 ft. )
64 m
(210 ft. )
Receiver Sensitivity -65 dBm -69 dBm -73 dBm -77 dBm -80 dBm -82 dBm -84 dBm -85 dBm
