Want to boost Wi-Fi range? This software is the answer
What's the story
As we continue to drift into the era of smart homes, a strong Wi-Fi solution has become the need of the hour. Now, when you have a large place, a single router may not deliver sufficient signals to every room. But, a group of researchers has a solution - a software protocol that can extend Wi-Fi range by 200 feet. Here's all about it.
Protocol
On-Off Noise Power Communications to maintain signals
While there are physical devices (like Google's Nest Wi-Fi) to boost Wi-Fi signals, the researchers at Brigham Young University took a different approach. They developed a software protocol, called On-Off Noise Power Communication, that maintained Wi-Fi signals on incredibly less data speed than what is normally required. Essentially, it maintained signals at one bit per second, instead of the regular one megabit per second.
Working
How they did it?
The protocol maintained the signal at 1bts by adjusting the transmitter of Wi-Fi-enabled devices to send noise along with data. This way, the device sent a series of 1s and 0s, turning its signals on and off in a fixed pattern. The Wi-Fi router then uses this pattern to figure that the device is transmitting something and maintains the signal on 1bts.
Extension
Then, the protocol extended the range
When the team tried the ONPC protocol on a regular Wi-Fi device, the signals emitted went 219 feet beyond the range one gets from standard Wi-Fi. And, what makes this protocol even more interesting is the fact that it can be applied to existing Wi-Fi-enabled devices through a simple software update, without requiring the user to update their hardware.
Other solution
Other ways to boost Wi-Fi signals
The development of this protocol adds another option to the list of hacks one could use to boost their Wi-Fi. Just recently, MIT researchers developed a Wi-Fi sharing protocol that allocated data according to the usage of a user. Then, there are also some techniques like adjusting router position, antennae or using a home-made wireless signal reflector.