Effects of Varying Distance on Wireless Signal Propagation in Indoor and Outdoor Built Sites

Abstract

The effects of varying distances on wireless signal propagation in indoor and outdoor built sites is presented in this paper. In indoor and outdoor built sites the major RF signal attenuation is due to multi-path interference, signal loss (fading), and non-line of sight signal blockage. A number of mobile communication systems is currently and frequently being used in indoor environments based on IEEE 802.11b standards which is on 2.4GHz frequency ISM band at the rate of 11Mbps. To determine the effects of varying distances on signal strength at 2.457 GHz, a Spykee spy Wi-Fi robot was used as the transmitter and laptop installed with a Wi-Fi card and Spykee console software to control the robot was used as the receiver. Results showed that the signal attenuation levels increased as distances increased.