Wireless signal and draft n 2.0 questions

[simon.rothenberg@gmail.com]

Hi there,

i have just bought an edimax draft 2.0 router and the PCI card for my
pc. I have set it up today (and set it up right) and had it working
fine for about an hour. Now however, it will not connect at all if i
want to use n, and will only connect if using b or g. Could the reason
for this be poor signal? I have read a few posts on here talking about
n not being better for distance than g. Is this the case? What is the
simplest way to improve signal strength (other than moving pc closer
to router)? Also can any of you think of a reason that it would work
well (and work really well at that) for an hour or so and then
completely stop working?

Thanks

Simon

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:06:22 -0800 (PST), simon.rothenberg@gmail.com
wrote:

>i have just bought an edimax draft 2.0 router and the PCI card for my
>pc.

Well, I could lookup the model numbers on the Edimax web site and try
to guess what you own. However, I'm lazy and think it would be better
if you would kindly disclose the model numbers and version numbers.

>I have set it up today (and set it up right) and had it working
>fine for about an hour.

Did you check for updated firmware from the Edimax web pile?

>Now however, it will not connect at all if i
>want to use n, and will only connect if using b or g.

Well, there is a setting that disabled MIMO. However, the same thing
will happen if you're picking up interference at either end or if the
signal is weak. Basically, you're not going to get a MIMO speed
connection at greater than perhaps (my guess) about 25ft (using the
stock antennas).

>Could the reason
>for this be poor signal?

Yes.

>I have read a few posts on here talking about
>n not being better for distance than g. Is this the case?

Yes. I think I probably wrote those postings so I won't try to argue
with myself. Maybe this article might offer a clue:
<http://www.intel.com/technology/itj/2003/volume07issue03/art05_air/vol7iss3_art05.pdf>
Note that the title is about "high throughput" and not long range.

>What is the
>simplest way to improve signal strength (other than moving pc closer
>to router)?

The easiest is to trade some speed for distance. Half the distance
for 4 times the speed. That's why MIMO only works at very limited
ranges. If you want speed, you gotta give up range.

Playing with antennas and MIMO is a problem. You'll note that there
are no aftermarket antenna manufacturers for MIMO. There are two
types of MIMO. The spacial multiplexing variety usually has 2-3
antennas. You'll need 2-3 external antennas to derive any benefit
from an external antenna. If you only install one antenna, you'll get
802.11g speeds. The other type is beam forming, which has the antenna
built into the access point. There's no way to add an external
antenna to that arrangement. I don't know which type of system your
Edimax routers use (because I'm too lazy to guess the product
numbers).

>Also can any of you think of a reason that it would work
>well (and work really well at that) for an hour or so and then
>completely stop working?

Only one reason? I can think of more than one. Someone running a
microwave oven nearby. Cordless phone started being used. Another
wireless network nearby just had an increase in activity. See list of
possible culprits at:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>
--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
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