User's Manual

Netkey Series WLAN Card
WWW.TwinMOS.COM
Page 5
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 TwinMOS Netkey Wireless product’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30
meters.) For some businesses or for a large residential home deployment, it may be more beneficial to
have more than one access point with overlapping coverage.
1. Be aware of the direct line between Access Points, Residential Gateways, and Computers - 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.
2. Building Materials make a difference - A solid metal door or aluminum studs may have a negative
effect on range. Try to position Access Points, Residential Gateways, and Computers so that the
signal passes through drywall or open doorways and not other materials.
3. Make sure that the antenna is positioned for best reception by using the software signal strength
tools included with your product.
4. Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical devices that generate RF
noise, like microwaves, monitors, electric motors, etc.
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 Residential Gateways and/or Computers that will be connected. Additional Access Points
can be connected to provide better coverage in rooms where the signal does not appear as strong as
desired.
Using radio frequency (RF) technology, WLANs transmit and receive data over the air, minimizing the
need for wired connections. Thus, WLANs combine data connectivity with user mobility, and, through
simplified configuration, enable movable LANs.