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3.2 Selecting a Channel
The RM-240 conforms to the IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN specification. The RM-240 sup-
ports 11 radio channels, each 5MHz wide, in the range 2412MHz to 2462MHz. Only one
of these channels is used for a connection. The desired channel is selected and config-
ured at the Access Point, and is then used for all beacon transmissions and connections.
Clients scan all 11 channels for a suitable Access Point and then adopt the same channel
as the AP when a connection is established. Although each channel is only 5MHz wide,
the radio transmission is a lot wider. Hence the channels overlap. The following diagram
shows the RF energy distribution for a WiFi transmission:
Most of the energy is in a central 22 MHz wide “lobe”, centred around the channel fre-
quency, however there are also side-lobes extending either side.
If we ignore the side lobes and consider each WiFi message as a 22MHz wide transmis-
sion, then the following diagram represents how transmissions in each channel overlaps.
If there is more than one WiFi AP within the same wireless range, then it is important
that the AP’s are on channels as far apart as possible. If there are only two AP’s, then set
them to 1 and 11. If there are three, set them to 1, 6, 11.
It is also important that correct channel is selected for region. Channels 1 to 11 are
approved for North America (FCC), Europe (ETSI), Canada (IC) and Australia (ACMA).
Channels 10 and 11 are approved for use in Spain and France. Refer to the relevant regu-
latory authority for the region as to which radio channels are approved for use.
f-33
f-22
f-11
f
f+11
f+22
f+33
RF power distribution in a WiFi transmission with channel central frequency,