Microsoft MN-500 manual Adjusting the Antenna, Understanding Wireless Transmission Standards

OAvoid placing wireless components next to large metal objects such as computer cases, monitors, and appliances. Metal objects reduce signal strength.

OAvoid placing wireless components close to electromagnetic devices, especially those with frequencies in the 2.4-gigahertz (GHz) range. Devices such as cordless phones, microwave ovens, radios, and televisions can interfere with wireless transmission.

OIf you notice poor connection speed on an adapter, try moving your wireless components closer together. Connection speeds will be slower if your wireless components are very far apart from each other on the network.

OBe aware that wireless signal range, speed, and strength can be affected by interference from neighboring wireless networks and devices.

Adjusting the Antenna

To improve wireless reception, you can adjust the base station’s external antenna.

Start with the antenna pointing straight up, and adjust the antenna if you get poor signal strength on an adapter. Certain areas, such as directly below the antenna, get relatively poor reception. Pointing the antenna toward another wireless component does not improve reception.

Understanding Wireless Transmission Standards

802.11is a series of wireless transmission standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for wireless local area networks. Currently, four specifications make up the 802.11 series: 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. Your Microsoft Wireless Base Station conforms to the 802.11b specification. The main features that distinguish these specifications are connection speed and radio frequency.

The following table summarizes the four specifications in the 802.11 series.

Specification	Connection speed	Radio frequency band
802.11	1 or 2 megabits per second (Mbps)	2.4 GHz
802.11a	Up to 54 Mbps	5 GHz
802.11b	Up to 11 Mbps	2.4 GHz
802.11g	Up to 54 Mbps	2.4 GHz

Note The benefit of the 2.4-GHz radio frequency band is that it allows for greater range than the 5-GHz band. The drawback is that it is susceptible to interference from other devices, such as 2.4-GHz cordless telephones.

Because 802.11b and 802.11g use the same radio frequency band, your base station is compatible with 802.11g devices on your network. However, when you transfer data between 802.11b and 802.11g devices, the connection speed is limited to the 802.11b maximum of 11 Mbps.

Note Your Microsoft Wireless base station is not compatible with 802.11a-only devices.

6Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Base Station User’s Guide