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.
Samuel, the high radiation in the weight room is due to all the moving metal. The signal strength is actually not linked to speed.
I live in Jewett and I am glad my dorm has the smallest amount of radiation. I guess it might mean the wireless internet is slower, but that’s fine by me. I think it’s funny that the fitness center has such a high amount of radiation although the room is primarily used for non-technology related activities. It is very strange that the quad had as much radiation as Sunset lake. As you said, there is wireless internet on the quad, but not at the lake. Even if that isn’t what you were measuring, it seems like the quad is more immediately surrounded by buildings full of devices emitting radiation, while the lake is not. Though I think Prof. Magnes said that radiation decays exponentially with distance, so perhaps even the distance from the center of the quad to inside its surrounding buildings is too far for radiation to travel.
Obviously something that could sort out what radiation was coming from where would have been tremendously helpful in this experiment. Perhaps some group in the future will look into that.
This was a very ambitious and interesting project. It is too bad that you were not able to achieve your goal of mapping the wifi signal around campus. Such a map would be interest to see, and I should say rather useful as well. I am somewhat surprised, but also pleased, that you discovered the dorms to be among the places on campus with the lowest electric fields. As Professor Magnes said, sometimes the results you want are not always possible to achieve. I have no doubt, however, that you would have been able to get the results you wanted with a second try at the experiment with a new type of equipment.