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Microwave Ovens
Microwave ovens operate in the same frequency band as
RangeLAN2. Therefore, if you use a microwave within range of
RangeLAN2 you may notice network performance degradation.
However, both your microwave and your RangeLAN2 network
will continue to function.
Range
Every environment is unique with different obstacles, barriers,
materials, etc., and therefore, it is difficult to determine the exact
range that will be achieved without testing. The site survey tool
was developed to aid in this process. Additionally, Proxim has
developed some guidelines to estimate the range that users will
see when the product is installed in their facility, but there are no
hard and fast specifications.
Radio signals may reflect off obstacles or be absorbed by others
depending on their construction. For example, with two standard
100 mW RangeLAN2 radios you may achieve up to 1000' in
open space outdoors where the two antennas are line of sight,
meaning they see each other with no obstacles between them.
However, the same two units will only achieve up to 500' of
range when they have to travel through the cubicles usually used
in modern offices. If there are office walls to penetrate, the signal
range may decrease even further to up to 300'.
Proper antenna placement can help improve RangeLAN2 perfor-
mance. Try to place the antenna so that it extends above the top
of the computer.