Wirelessly connecting devices is not a new concept – but it is rapidly evolving. With 5G, CBRS, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E initiatives on the horizon, not to mention sharp increases in dependence on connectivity recently, strong, reliable wireless connections are more important than ever before. Knowing that, there is quite a bit of pressure to design networks that can not only handle today’s demands, but also be well positioned to handle the next curveball the world throws at us.
1. Attenuation / Signal Loss
As a signal travels though the air, it loses strength. It loses even more strength, or even drops entirely, when there is a physical barrier such as walls, dense landscaping, mountains, etc., in the way. This can make it difficult to bring an outdoor signal indoors.
Unfortunately, you can’t just place an antenna on the outside of the building to use signals from a nearby cell tower. This creates capacity and overcrowding issues, resulting in poor throughput. There are specific steps and strategies that must be followed to successfully bring wireless signals indoors.
2. Mobility
The beauty of wireless is that it allows us to be mobile. There are no pesky cords keeping us tied to a single location … theoretically at least. We are all too familiar with holding phones in the air or standing in a specific spot in a room just to get signal.
So what good is wireless that tethers you to a certain spot to maintain a connection? A reliable wireless system needs to support connectivity no matter where the users are, how they move or where they place their devices.
3. Reach
To address the ever growing need for more bandwidth, the industry has been utilizing higher frequency spectrums. This is because the lower frequency spectrums that are already in use are becoming too crowded. The problem is that high-frequency signals cannot travel as far before attenuating. This means that new wireless solutions need to combine both low and high frequency solutions, depending on the application.
4. Densification
Wireless networks see new users and devices every day. No matter how quickly these numbers increase, connectivity is still expected.
This growth leads to network collision, which is caused by multiple devices attempting to transmit data at the same time (so nothing gets through). On a wired network, when collision is detected, packets of information can be resent. The only choice for optimal wireless service is to make sure collision doesn’t happen.
5. Multipath Fading / Interference
Signals do not always go directly from point A to point B when transmitted. They can bounce and reflect off objects, which leads to signal deterioration (delayed signals all carrying the same information). Proper steps must be taken to remove those delayed signals.
How to Address Wireless Challenges
Now that you know what challenges exist when implementing wireless, you can use the right solutions to ensure these problems do not affect your network.
The best approach is to deploy improved technology through methods like:
- MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output), which supports the transfer of more data at the same time
- OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access), which divides wireless channels into smaller frequency allocations so multiple clients with varying bandwidth requirements can connect to a single wireless network at the same time
Ensuring excellent wireless performance also depends on cable balance. To be well balanced, voltage and current on each conductor of the pair must be equal in magnitude and phase. The two insulated conductors must be physically identical in terms of diameter, concentricity and dielectric material; they must also be uniformly twisted, which requires precise design and manufacturing.
A cable with outstanding balance protects networks from damaging effects of outside noise, which is essential for wireless networks so data signals can reach endpoint devices without slow speeds or downtime.
To help overcome some of these wireless challenges, there are well-balanced cabling systems designed specifically to support wireless systems. Belden’s REVConnect® 10GXW System is a great example. It features:
- Best-in-class noise immunity (4 dB of PSANEXT and 10 dB of PSAACRF headroom) to eliminate slow network speeds, ensure uptime and support wireless access points
- A small diameter to help you maximize the number of cables you can fit inside a conduit, as well as support fast deployment
- Excellent performance in high-density, high-bandwidth applications, exceeding 100 m channel requirements in certain applications
Contact your local Accu-Tech Representative to learn more about cabling to support in-building wireless and Belden's REVConnect 10GXW System.
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