Project Overview

We set out to measure the strength of the wireless Internet signal across campus and create a heat map detailing the relative differences we found.  Our hypothesis was that the Internet signal would be relatively uniform across most of campus and in the dorms/academic buildings, increasing when we got particularly close to an airport.  We expected lower readings at the edges of campus and around Sunset Lake, where we already knew that the wireless Internet does not.

Technology and Procedure

We used an RF meter to measure electric field strength in mV/meter.  We hoped to single out a wireless Internet signal, but the technology was unable to accomplish this.  We walked around campus with the RF meter, measuring electric field strength in various predetermined locations.

Findings

Electric field strength outdoors was quite consistent, ranging from 4-7 mV/meter.  There was no noticeable difference in electric field strength between central campus and campus’ outer edges/Sunset Lake.  Inside the buildings electric field strength generally ranged from 100-300 mV/meter.  Of the dorms we found that Jewett had the weakest electric field strength, of around 100 mV/meter, while Joss had the greatest, of around 350 mV/meter.  We found the greatest electric field strength of all in the fitness room of Walker, it being about 500 mV/meter. Here is a google map with all of our findings: <http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ll=41.688617,-73.894944&spn=0.008156,0.01369&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=6&msa=0&msid=216952304120227955446.0004b2fc32482f27e766d>

Complications with the project

We encountered a few problems throughout our project.  First, the RF meter was unable to single out the wireless internet signal, so any other electronics in the area affected our data.  Second, the readings we took outside were all very consistent, even when we expected a difference in readings.  For example, we know that the internet signal does not reach the area around Sunset Lake, but we got the same reading in that area as we got in the quad (where we know the internet signal does reach).  This could be due to other signals (cell phone towers, radio, etc.) giving a consistent signal everywhere outside and drowning out the changes in wireless internet signals.

Conclusions

While we did not get accurate data for the strength of the wireless internet signal, we were able to compare the strength of electric fields in buildings around campus.  The highest reading we found was in the Walker fitness center, where it reached 500 mV/meter.  This could be due to all the electric equipment in the gym, such as treadmills and TVs.  The lowest readings were found mostly in dorms (Joss, Noyes, Jewett, etc.) and were all around 100-200 mV/meter.  All of these readings should be taken with a grain of salt, however, as they were very dependent on proximity to electric devices.

For our data collection we used the RF meter to measure the strength of electric fields around campus, ultimately to judge the relative strengths of wireless signals across the school.  The values are all in mV/m. We will have more data points in the coming week, covering the rest of campus

Joss: 350
Davison: 150
Raymond: 200
Quad: 5
Strong: 250
Lathrop: 300
College Center: 380
Ferry: 225
Baldwin: 100
Noyes: 150
Noyes field: 5
Outside (mostly): 5
UpC: 400
Deece Lobby: 4
Cushing: 230
TAs: 300
Athletic Center Lobby: 175
Fitness Center: 500
Library First Floor: ~100
Library Basement: ~200
Jewett: 100

For our project we plan to ultimately produce a map of campus, showing the strength of the wireless signal at different points around the school.  We will walk around campus with the RF meter, mapping wireless internet signals as we go.  This can be done by two people at a time, one to read the meter and one to record it on the map.  Then we will compile the data and make a colored map showing hot spots around campus.   We can use this to experimentally find the location of the wireless routers.  We will also look into additional functions of the RF meter to see what else it can tell us about internet access around campus. We will meet on Sundays until we finish gathering our data, and if we find we need to meet more often we will communicate via e-mail to schedule those. We will do research into the science and technology, namely the RF meter and what wireless internet is and how it works. We expect the signal to be relatively consistent across the main bulk of campus (around all the dorms and academic buildings).  The signal might get worse in open places, like the library lawn or the middle of the quad, and the signal should be significantly worse in places like Sunset Lake, that are removed from the main part of campus.

We will measure the strength of the wireless internet signal around campus, determining if some dorms or buildings have a better signal than others. Hopefully, we can get some qualitative assessment of how strong a signal is necessary for a satisfactory internet connection and show where the boundaries of these signals are around campus. We will eventually produce a heat map showing how strong the signal is all around campus.