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Keep in mind, however, that the number and thickness of walls, ceilings or
other objects that the wireless signals must pass through may limit range.
Typical ranges vary depending on the types of materials and background RF
(radio frequency) noise in your home or business. The key to maximizing
range is to follow these basic principles:
1. Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the Access Point and
your receiving device to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce
your C54U’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) For some businesses or
for a large residential home deployment, it may be beneficial to have
more than one access point with overlapping coverage.
2. Be aware of the direct line between Access Points and computers with
wireless adapters - a wall that is 1.5 feet thick (.5 meters), at a 45-
degree angle appears to be almost 3 feet (1 meter) thick. At a 2-degree
angle it looks over 42 feet (14 meters) thick! Try to make sure that the
Access Points and adapters are positioned so that the signal will travel
straight through a wall or ceiling for better reception.
3. Building materials make a difference - a solid metal door or aluminum
studs may have a negative effect on range. Try to position Access
Points, and computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes
through drywall or open doorways and not other materials.
5. Keep the C54U away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical
devices or appliances that generate extreme RF noise.
For the average residence, range should not be a problem. If you
experience low or no signal strength in areas of your home that you wish to
access, consider positioning the Access Point in a location directly between
the computers with wireless adapters that will be connected. Additional
Access Points can be connected to provide better coverage in rooms where
the signal does not register as strongly as desired.