Applied Research Designs, Inc.

Affordable Broadband Access and Adoption

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Wi-Fi Technology


Wi-Fi technology is a broadband [high speed, high throughput] networking technology which uses unlicensed radio waves to wirelessly connect electronic devices [personal computers, video-game consoles, smartphones, digital cameras, printers, tablet computers, digital audio players, etc.] to exchange data and connect with the internet. Connections and network access happens when Wi-Fi certified devices are passed through a network enabling node such as a wireless access point or hotspot.




Schematic of a device sending information wirelessly to another device, both connected to the local network, in order to print a document [From Wikipedia.org]

Many Devices Connected to Access Point and the Internet


Overlapping Hotspots Can Create a Larger Ranging Wi-Fi Zone


An access point or hotspot can reach 50-100 feet indoors while it can range miles outdoors.  Indoors, wifi radio signals are limited by architecture and materials (see below).  Outdoors ranges of multiple square miles can be achieved by overlapping access points within the same hotspot (see above). 

Architecture, Materials and Interference Can Impede Wi-Fi's Ability to Carry

Wi-Fi Signal Strong with Line of Sight and No Interference


Wi-Fi Signal Strength Fair Through Drywall


Wi-Fi Strength Weakened by Interference and Many Walls


Wi-Fi Signals Blocked By Metals in Wall


how does AR DESIGNS do WI-FI?

Affordable

Less Nodes, less installation, less maintenance

Less interference with other networks

Better ROI


AR Designs uses 802.11ac. 

IEEE 802.11ac is a wireless networking standard in the 802.11 family (which is marketed under the brand name Wi-Fi), developed in the IEEE Standards Association process,[1] providing high-throughput wireless local area networks (WLANs) on the 5 GHz band.[1] The standard was developed from 2008 (PAR approved 2008-09-26) through 2013 and published in December 2013 (ANSI approved 2013-12-11).[1][2]

The specification has multi-station throughput of at least 1 gigabit per second and single-link throughput of at least 500 megabits per second (500 Mbit/s). This is accomplished by extending the air-interface concepts embraced by 802.11n: wider RF bandwidth (up to 160 MHz), more MIMO spatial streams (up to eight), downlink multi-user MIMO (up to four clients), and high-density modulation (up to 256-QAM).[3][4]

AR Designs uses optimal configuration schemes to get the most out of our use of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz blocks for 802.11ac backhaul and broadcast. 



On wireless routers with detachable antennas, it is possible to improve range by fitting upgraded antennas which have higher gain in particular directions. Outdoor ranges can be improved to many kilometers through the use of high gain directional antennas at the router and remote device(s).

Although most Wi-Fi providers generally follow this rule of thumb—increased power signal strength and high gain directional antennas—AR Designs has adopted a more contrarian approach in order to co-exist within these high-power/high gain environments:  

  • We use active signal filtration as a means to blot out the excessive high powered noise and interference around us.
  • We opt for high selectivity antennas which don’t compete on power and gain with other signals in order to work.  
  • Our quietly connected networks cause less interference to our neighbors, as well.