Welch Allyn Acuity LT Mobile - Installation Guide - Manual (Page 13)

Installation Guide Chapter 2 Plan the installation 9
Obstructions
APs and wireless monitors generally communicate best in a “line-of-sight”, with minimum
obstructions between the APs and the monitors. Radio signals lose strength when they
pass through obstructions.
While the APs and wireless monitors can overcome some amount of obstruction, too
much results in intermittent or total disconnection.
Table 2. Common obstructions to radio reception
Type of obstruction Description
Minor obstructions Radio signals can generally penetrate these types of obstructions without
a severe loss of signal strength.
Typical partition walls (sheetrock/
wallboard, with metal studs) and non-
metal doors APs and wireless monitors can generally communicate through at least
two partition walls. Typically the metal studs are placed far enough apart
to allow sufficient radio signals to pass through.
Curtains, mattresses, linens, suspended
ceiling tiles and plain glass windows No serious problem.
Major obstructions that should be
avoided These obstructions can completely prevent effective communication.
Any large amount of metal Large metal equipment, metal lockers or metal cabinets.
Load-bearing walls, stairwells, fire
walls, metal-clad fire doors, elevators
and elevator foyers, wire-mesh windows These are generally constructed with a lot of metal and metal
reinforcements. They also extend above partition walls and suspended
ceilings to the structural floor above, which increases the obstruction.
Shielded rooms, such as Radiology The shielding typically prevents any transmission of radio signals.
Large concentrations of water, such as a
storage closet with large amounts of
saline solution Water and other liquids severely obstruct radio signals.
Sources of radiation such as x-ray
machines, microwave ovens or other
wireless network antennas To reduce interference, keep Acuity LT AP antennas at least 7 feet away
from other network antennas or other sources of radiation.