Wi-Fi Signal Strength & AP Placement at NVSU — Exam Notes

Introduction & Problem

  • Reliable Wi-Fi is critical for learning, research, and administration.

  • NVSU users experience weak signals, dead zones, slow speeds—especially during peak periods.

  • Causes: distance, thick walls, outdated equipment, AP misplacement, interference.

  • No prior campus-wide technical assessment; this capstone maps signal strength and AP distribution to give data-driven fixes.

Key Concepts from Literature

  • Wi-Fi signal strength depends on:

    • Distance, physical barriers, device interference (Ali et al., Haenggi & Ganti).

  • Interference types: co-channel, adjacent-channel, narrowband, wideband; lowers throughput (Haider et al.).

  • Building materials impact propagation:

    • Concrete>plastic>glass reduce signals; 2.4 GHz2.4\,\text{GHz} penetrates better than 5 GHz5\,\text{GHz} (Aileen et al.; Bytyqi & Jashari).

  • Optimal WLAN design requires strategic—not merely numerous—APs; placement can raise coverage ≈30%30\% and cut blind-spots ≈89%\approx 89\% (Ali & Khanji; Mahmood et al.).

  • User experience links directly to signal quality; poor Wi-Fi lowers engagement and increases stress (Ohei).

Conceptual Framework & Paradigm

  • Input: Current AP locations, campus layout, user environment, devices.

  • Process: Measure RSSI via WiFiman; generate heatmaps; classify:
    • Excellent −30-30 to −50 dBm-50\,\text{dBm}
    • Good −51-51 to −67 dBm-67\,\text{dBm}
    • Weak −68-68 to −80 dBm-80\,\text{dBm}
    • Dead Zone <-80\,\text{dBm}

  • Output: Recommendations—AP repositioning, interference mitigation, technical report + heatmaps.

Objectives

  • Locate and document all existing APs.

  • Measure wireless signal strength; pinpoint weak areas & interference using WiFiman.

  • Propose strategic AP mapping to enhance coverage and reliability.

Significance

  • Students: uninterrupted online classes, faster research access.

  • Faculty: stable platforms for teaching, resource sharing.

  • IT staff: concrete data for upgrades and resource allocation.

  • Administration: supports digital-learning goals & institutional reputation.

  • Researchers/Future work: provides baseline methodology for WLAN optimization studies.

Scope & Limitations

  • Focus: NVSU Bayombong campus “UConnect” WLAN—signal strength, coverage, AP placement.

  • Excludes: ISP bandwidth, user-device hardware, physical installation of new APs.

  • Data collection: twice daily (09:30–10:30, 14:30–15:30), Monday–Friday, one month.

Methodology

  • Design: Descriptive; phases—Planning, Data Collection, Analysis, Reporting.

  • Tools:

    • WiFiman (RSSI, speed, interference, 2.42.4 & 5 GHz5\,\text{GHz} bands).

    • Draw.io / AutoCAD for campus & heatmap visuals.

  • Data handling: average RSSI per point, classify into four quality tiers, generate heatmaps, identify overlaps and gaps.