Increase of AP power for wireless range extension.

You can extend the access point radio coverage area, by increasing the AP power level. Transmitted power of the access point is directly proportional to the radio coverage area. So if you increase the power, radio coverage area will be larger.

Government regulates the highest power level for the radio devices. There are different maximum power levels in America, Europe and Japan for different 802.11 standards. Higher frequencies need higher powers. Higher frequencies have longer ranges. Standards with lower frequencies, like 802.11b and 802.11g, have greater radio coverage. Coverage of 802.11a standard is lower, because it has higher frequency.

Interference could also be the reason for reduced power on the access point. If you make adequate site survey, you can use the maximum transmitted power.

Here is procedure to set up the optimal power level on the AP:

- Set maximum power on the AP.

- Decrease power on the AP until you get high and consistent bandwidth.

When you start from the lowest possible power level, you can increase the power level until you get maximum and consistent bandwidth.