3-3
Infrastructure Network
Determining the Coverage Area and Supported Users
Coverage area is determined by a number of factors, including physical obstructions and
noise levels as shown in Figure 3-1.
The following is an example of the coverage area in a semi-open environment, which is
defined as work space divided by shoulder-height, hollow wall elements. The distances in
your environment may be different.
•11 Mbit/s - 165 feet (50 meters)
•5.5 Mbit/s - 230 feet (70 meters)
•2 Mbit/s - 300 feet (90 meters)
•1 Mbit/s - 375 feet (115 meters)
Figure 3-1: Coverage Area
The faster the transmit speed, the shorter the coverage area at that speed. An AP with an
11 Mbit/s PC Card can communicate with clients up to a distance of 375 feet in a semi-open
environment. However, only clients within the first 165 feet can communicate at 11 Mbit/s.
Clients between 165 and 230 feet communicate at 5.5 Mbit/s. Clients between 230 and
300 feet communicate at 2Mbit/s; and clients between 300 to 375 feet communicate at
1M bit/s.
Noise from
Elevator Shaft
Noise from
Microwave