Who wrecked The Internet???
Purpose
Measure how different materials affect the signal strength of a WIFI signal from a wireless router. During the pandemic, the entire family is at home and the usage of WIFI is at an all-time high.
This experiment will help identify what materials affect the signal strength of a WIFI signal from a wireless router.
Hypothesis
If we test which material blocks Wi-Fi the most, then the Metal baking pan will block it the most because metal is a conductor of electricity. This means that metal absorbs more electrical signals. Radio waves are electromagnetic, so metal also absorbs those.
Hence the reasoning for my hypothesis.
What is Wi-Fi and what does a wireless router do?
A wireless router is a device that performs the functions of a router and includes the functions of a wireless access point. It is used to provide access to the Internet or a private computer network.
A wireless or Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) network uses a radio frequency signal instead of wires to connect your devices such as computers, printers and smartphones to the Internet and each other.
The Wi-Fi signal can be picked up by compatible wireless-capable devices such as a laptop or tablet within a certain distance in all directions.
Wireless signal strength is measured in units called Decibel-milliwatts, or dBm.
Attenuation
Attenuation is the loss of signal strength.
The Wi-Fi signal strength gets noticeably weaker the further that your device is from the router.
Reduction in signal strength is caused also due to the presence of objects of different materials between the wireless router and the receiving device.
Materials
Procedure
1.Large table is used to place the router and receiving device. The hotspot of the iPhone is used as a router and the iPad is used as a receiving device.
2.Data table is used to document the readings in the iPhone application (Airport Utility) in Decibel-milliwatts (dBm).
3. Start out by measuring the signal strength with no blocking material. This is your experiment's control. Measure the signal strength in dBm and enter this value under "Trial 1" in the first row of your data table. Repeat two more times, for a total of three trials.
4. Now, set up your first blocking material. Record three separate signal strength readings in your data table.
5.The reading will be taken using the Airport utility app and noted in the data table.
6.This procedure will be repeated 3 times per object under test and the average is recorded in the data table.
Procedure (Cont.)
7.For each blocking material (and your control case with no material), calculate an average signal strength in dBm and enter this value in your data table.
8.Calculate the attenuation (reduction of value) of the signal for each material by subtracting the signal strength with the material under test from the signal strength of control case.
9. Create a bar graph with material type on the horizontal line (x-axis) and readings in dBm on the vertical line (y-axis).
10.Attenuation was then calculated using the formula:
(Average of Control Reading) - (Average of Material Reading) = Attenuation
Experiment in process
CONTROL PLASTIC SHEET
GLASS TRAY
METAL BAKING PAN
Experiment in process (Cont.)
WOODEN BOX
CARDBOARD BOX
Airport Utility
Test Results and Data (Readings)
Understanding readings in dBm
This dBm is expressed as a negative number from 0 to -100.
Therefore, a signal of -53.3 (Control) is more powerful than a signal of -59.3 (Metal baking pan).
A higher negative value (in dBm) indicates a weak signal.
Hence, -53.3 dBm provides better signal quality than -59.3 dBm.
Data Analysis
Conclusion
The experiment was conducted with a few materials that will block Wi-Fi. It was hypothesized that out of glass tray, cardboard, metal baking pan, Plastic sheet, Aluminum foil tray and wooden box, metal baking pan will block the most Wi-Fi signal.
The hypothesis was supported, and the metal baking pan did block Wi-Fi signal the most.
Real World Connections
The items used to test signal strength blocking were common household items. The change in signal strength shows that most of the Wi-Fi strength was stopped by metal but, Aluminum foil tray blocked the signal also. Wood, Plastic, and glass don't interfere much.
My hypothesis was correct that metal would block Wi-Fi signal the most. In the real worlds scenario , the recommendation is to not have steel items near the router or the receiving device to prevent Wi-Fi signals from being reduced in signal strength.