Computer Hope

Internet & Networking => Networking => Topic started by: Boris_yo on January 21, 2012, 06:21:00 AM

Title: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Boris_yo on January 21, 2012, 06:21:00 AM
Hello, i have this problem with with HTC Desire S smartphone currently. When i am in my room, connection is fine, but when in another room further than 5 meters, i lose connection, though i have good Wi-Fi signal.

The interesting part is that when i turn or rotate my smartphone or change place, eventually connection returns. This is weird because i have no range limit in my Edimax's router BIOS (http://"http://i.imgur.com/gmwAH.png"). Router has one antenna FYI which i tried rotating differently to no avail. Drivers are latest and router is old.

Router: Edimax BR-6204Wg
Mobile OS: Android 2.3.3


Thanks.
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Geek-9pm on January 21, 2012, 06:41:28 AM
Quote
The interesting part is that when i turn or rotate my smartphone or change place, eventually connection returns.
Without special equipment, it is had to say if that is normal or not. You can try to change your system to another channel.  Or try another smartphone. The antenna may be defective.
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Boris_yo on January 21, 2012, 10:13:49 AM
Okay i will add. This did not happen until i bought Case Mate Tough and does not happen when case is off.
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Geek-9pm on January 21, 2012, 05:45:30 PM
Okay i will add. This did not happen until i bought Case Mate Tough and does not happen when case is off.
Please elaborate. It is a rubber case for the phone?
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Boris_yo on January 21, 2012, 06:48:20 PM
Here are details (http://www.case-mate.com/HTC-Desire-Cases/Case-Mate-HTC-Desire-Tough-Cases.asp)
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Transfusion on January 21, 2012, 08:12:06 PM
That heavy-duty case is designed for protection against hard falls... and it looks rather thick:
(http://i40.tinypic.com/10fuu6t.png)
The antenna probably was not designed to be able to penetrate through cases....  I don't think you'd be able to do much if you really want to use that case...
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Geek-9pm on January 21, 2012, 08:31:17 PM
This comes to mind...
iPhone 4 Loses Reception When You Hold It By The Antenna Band? (http://gizmodo.com/5571171/iphone-4-loses-reception-when-you-hold-it-by-the-antenna-band)
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Boris_yo on January 22, 2012, 12:43:19 AM
The problem is that NOT EVERY DEVICE experiences such symptoms. I read somewhere that HTC should remake in smartphone's firmware how wireless antenna operates with case on. This problem has been encountered with Case Mate Barely There (http://www.case-mate.com/HTC-Desire-S-Cases/Case-Mate-HTC-Desire-S-Barely-There-Cases.asp) metallic case.
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Geek-9pm on January 22, 2012, 01:25:46 AM
Steve Jobs was an excellent engineer. And he missed it. Microwave antenna are subject to not only metallic decoupling, but also dielectric effects. A dielectric effect is how a non-metallic material can decouple a microwave antenna.The fact that it can be adjusted in firmware is outstanding.Those chips must be really amazing to have that kind of capability.
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Boris_yo on January 22, 2012, 01:50:14 AM
Steve Jobs was an excellent engineer. And he missed it.


But he was innovator.


Quote from: Geek-9pm
Microwave antenna are subject to not only metallic decoupling, but also dielectric effects. A dielectric effect is how a non-metallic material can decouple a microwave antenna.The fact that it can be adjusted in firmware is outstanding.Those chips must be really amazing to have that kind of capability.


Do you yourself believe such can be done in firmware?
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Geek-9pm on January 22, 2012, 08:38:17 AM
But he was innovator.
And a dâm good one.
Quote
Do you yourself believe such can be done in firmware?
I am willing to believe it. I have no idea who makes the wireless module. Brut I am sure it is is programmable. Weather or not it can alter the antenna tuning, I don't know.  But it is possible using some techniques that are 21 century stuff. I have never heard of that at microwave frequencies. But it has been a long time since I studies that stuff.
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Boris_yo on January 22, 2012, 09:23:05 AM
And a dâm good one.

So he wasn't engineer?

Quote from: Geek-9pm
I am willing to believe it. I have no idea who makes the wireless module. Brut I am sure it is is programmable. Weather or not it can alter the antenna tuning, I don't know.  But it is possible using some techniques that are 21 century stuff. I have never heard of that at microwave frequencies. But it has been a long time since I studies that stuff.

Case turns my smartphone from omnidirectional to directional. How would you call that downgrade in technology? Reversed technology which is antonym for advanced technology.

Case is great and does a well job, but that wireless issue... Have to take cover off to surf fine.
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Geek-9pm on January 22, 2012, 09:34:51 AM
So he wasn't engineer?
..
Case is great and does a well job, but that wireless issue... Have to take cover off to surf fine.
Do you take your car out of the garage when you want to drive?

Many cell phone systems are in the mid range band around 900 MHz and have power levels the go for miles. But WI-Fi technology is at 2.5 GHz and higher and has short range coverage under 100 meters. The case makers test the things on cell phone coverage, not Wi-Fi coverage.
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Boris_yo on January 22, 2012, 01:07:48 PM
Do you take your car out of the garage when you want to drive?

Don't have any.

Quote from: Geek-9pm
Many cell phone systems are in the mid range band around 900 MHz and have power levels the go for miles. But WI-Fi technology is at 2.5 GHz and higher and has short range coverage under 100 meters. The case makers test the things on cell phone coverage, not Wi-Fi coverage.

Maybe i should find where the most crucial part of the device is which is responsible for Wi-Fi reception and make a hole in smartphone's case?
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: truenorth on January 25, 2012, 09:36:54 AM
Or rather than modifying the case to permit sufficient wi=fi signal reception. Which could entail substantial elimination of the case. Another alternative (if the security aspect of the case protection is paramount) modify the case to allow connection of an external antennae. A much less invasive (destructive) process. I use an external antennae on a laptop. Not for your issue but to enhance the reception ability. It has demonstrated well it's ability to do that. However as a caution it too is very sensitive to directional pointing to achieve maximum signal strength. truenorth
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: Boris_yo on January 25, 2012, 09:47:20 AM
Another alternative (if the security aspect of the case protection is paramount) modify the case to allow connection of an external antennae. A much less invasive (destructive) process.

Where would i get one that is specific for smartphone?
Title: Re: Wireless Signal Is Good But No Connection Further Than 5 Meters
Post by: truenorth on January 25, 2012, 04:54:06 PM
Seems like not many do but yours might.
http://www.wpsantennas.com/smart-phone-cellular-antennas.aspx
truenorth