APs per square meter

When determining the number of APs per square meter, it’s crucial to understand that the answer depends on various factors. Here are the key considerations:

1. Required Services

  • Real-Time Applications: Applications like VoIP or video conferencing require low latency and high reliability, necessitating more APs for better coverage and performance.
  • Data-Only Applications: For basic data transmission, fewer APs might be sufficient.
  • Warehouse Type of Building: Large open spaces with high ceilings may require strategically placed APs to ensure coverage throughout.

2. Roaming Requirements

  • Primary and Secondary Coverage: For seamless roaming, especially in environments like offices or hospitals, both primary and secondary coverage are essential. This means overlapping coverage areas to ensure devices can switch APs without losing connection.

3. Frequency Bands

  • High-Density Environments: In high-density areas, the 2.4 GHz band should be avoided due to congestion and interference. Focus on 5 GHz or 6 GHz bands for better performance.
  • Legacy SSID: Use the 2.4 GHz band only for legacy devices that cannot operate on higher frequencies.

4. Building Construction Materials

  • Material Attenuation: Different materials (e.g., concrete, glass, metal) affect signal strength differently. Understanding the attenuation properties of building materials is crucial for AP placement.

5. Density Zones

  • High-Density Zones: These areas require both coverage and capacity. More APs are needed to handle the number of devices and ensure adequate bandwidth.
  • Low-Density Zones: Fewer APs might be needed, focusing more on coverage than capacity.

6. Client Device Sensitivity

  • RF Sensitivity: Design with the transmit power (TX power) to match the client devices. Different devices have varying levels of sensitivity to RF signals, which affects how they connect to APs.

7. Type of APs

  • AP Capabilities: The type and capabilities of the APs (e.g., support for multiple bands, number of spatial streams) also influence the number of APs required. You should also decide to use unidirectional or omnidirectional antennas.
When designing a WiFi network for a standard office with low-density requirements, it's essential to consider both coverage and performance. Here are some key guidelines:
  • Primary Coverage: Aim for a signal strength of -65 dBm. This ensures robust connectivity for most applications, including real-time applications.
  • Secondary Coverage: Target a signal strength of -67 dBm. This secondary layer is crucial for seamless roaming, especially for real-time applications like VoIP and video conferencing. It helps maintain a stable connection as devices move between access points (APs).
  • Coverage Range: Each AP should ideally cover an area of 60 to 80 square meters with TX-power around 16 to max 18 dBM on 5 GHz. This range can vary based on several factors, including the specific layout of the office and the presence of any physical obstructions.

Conclusion

The number of APs per square meter is not a one-size-fits-all answer. It requires a detailed analysis of the specific environment and requirements. Conducting a thorough WiFi site survey is essential to determine the optimal number and placement of APs to ensure reliable and efficient network performance. Contact ITNET to discuss your WIFI solution.

APs per square meter