Comparison of Wireless Adapters Interference Based on Differences of Floor Position

Abstract

The wireless network adapter has now been widely developed. The wireless adapter receives signal strength has several levels. It depends on the signal strength of the device with respect to the wireless signal and access point. The external adapter is used by computers that are not equipped with a wireless network adapter. Usually, internet users use a USB wireless adapter. An external adapter can also amplify signal reception from hotspots. The problem is how users consider using an external wireless adapter or just an onboard wireless adapter when there are many networks interfering with the weak signal strength of the access point. The method is implemented by measuring the value of the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI). The purpose of this study is to compare the received signal strength in conditions where the signal before interference and after experiencing interference (interference). Meanwhile, the measured RSSI value is divided into four floors and with different distances for each floor. Each floor is measured by five distances. The average value of signal strength at a distance of 10 meters is -74 dBm using the onboard wireless adapter and -69 dBm using a USB wireless adapter. The value obtained after the interference is -75 dBm and the USB wireless adapter gets -61 dBm. The reduction of the RSSI value between interference and non-interference is 3%. The onboard wireless adapter is affected by interference while the external wireless adapter is not affected.