Typical Usable Wireless Range
The following table illustrates the typical data rates, performance and range of
the wireless module that can be expected when using the omni directional
diversity antennas supplied with AirAura.
Data Rate
Typical Outdoor Range
Unity Gain Antennas
Typical Outdoor Range
2dBi Antennas Each End
1.0 Mb/s
240m / 787 ft
380m / 1247 ft
11.0 Mb/s
135m / 443 ft
215m / 705 ft
6 Mb/s 802.11/g
135m / 443 ft
215m / 705 ft
6 Mb/s 802.11/a
49m / 160 ft
155m / 508 ft
54 Mb/s 802.11/g
12m / 39 ft
19m / 62 ft
54 Mb/s 802.11/a
4.5m / 15 ft
14m / 46 ft
Ranges are based on a combination of receiver sensitivity, transmitter power,
free-space path loss, antenna gain factors, and link margin. Actual range will
almost always vary from those stated and be less. Non-line-of-site applications
will result in values even less than shown in the above table.
The listed “Data Rate” is the supported
connection rate
for the wireless link
including
handshaking. Because handshaking (to ensure reliable
communications) utilizes a small portion of the stated data rate, the actual data
throughput for the link to/from the AirAura and its GUI will be somewhat less than
that stated in the first column.
IMPORTANT NOTE
AirAura utilizes an efficient scheme to send data to and from the remote GUI.
This data rate is
far less
than the 1Mb/s rate that we’ve configured in the module
as the factory default.
There is NO advantage to forcing the module to communicate using higher data
rates. In fact, the above table should make it quite clear that exactly the opposite
is true – “forced” high speeds can result in an unreliable connection, even at very
modest distances.
Many months of field experience with AirAura and its wireless interface operating
in all kinds of situations has confirmed that the 1Mb/s data rate chosen as our
factory default data rate provides
very good
coverage and
excellent
usability.
