Parabolic Reflector Used on USB Antenna
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corrinasthename
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2015 2:54 pm
- Occupation: Student: College Junior
- Project Question: In the project, "The Point of a Parabola: Focusing Signals for a Better Wireless Network", if we're using the USB antenna adapter attached to a laptop and attach the parabola to that, do we measure the WiFi strength using that same laptop? Or do we have to measure the WiFi strength using a laptop DIFFERENT from the one that the antenna/parabola is attached to?
- Project Due Date: February 20, 2015
- Project Status: I am conducting my research
Parabolic Reflector Used on USB Antenna
In the project, "The Point of a Parabola: Focusing Signals for a Better Wireless Network", if we're using the USB antenna adapter attached to a laptop and attach the parabola to that, do we measure the WiFi strength using that same laptop? Or do we have to measure the WiFi strength using a laptop DIFFERENT from the one that the antenna/parabola is attached to? And what is that antenna really doing?
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HowardE
- Posts: 496
- Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 1:35 pm
- Occupation: Science Buddies content developer
- Project Question: N/A
- Project Due Date: N/A
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Parabolic Reflector Used on USB Antenna
You would have to make a signal strength measurement at one of the two machines involved in the communication. If the laptop is talking to your router, you can have either the laptop or the router display a measurement - whichever is possible. It idea is that by putting the reflector on the USB antenna, the power normally going in the direction away from the router is bounced back towards the router, increasing the signal strength and the effective range.
If you took a flashlight and managed to remove the reflector from the bulb, the amount of light would be the same but it would be going in all directions. The reflector you're testing should have some of the same effect, both making sure that more of the signal goes in one direction AND that more of the signal from the router is bounced back into the USB antenna.
If you took a flashlight and managed to remove the reflector from the bulb, the amount of light would be the same but it would be going in all directions. The reflector you're testing should have some of the same effect, both making sure that more of the signal goes in one direction AND that more of the signal from the router is bounced back into the USB antenna.