
So here's a quick and easy breakdown of how we measure signal strength: While other chipsets might use different values, such as 0-100 or even 0-255.Īs if trying to understand the physics of WiFi wasn't confusing enough, the units of measurement are just as complicated. We see this unit of measurement different all the time because it's being pulled from the client device.įor example, the Atheros WiFi chipset measures RSSI based on values 0 (no signal) to 60 (max. However, radio waves are not directional so their movements are more like ripples in a pond and less like the laser beams in a Star Wars movie.īut RSSI is only a relative index because each manufacturer uses an arbitrary set of units. These wavelengths are the size of buildings, invisible, and essentially travel at the speed of light. They are the lowest frequency waves in the EM spectrum. For this reason, WiFi signals are also known as RF (Radio Frequency) signals. WiFi signals are a type of electromagnetic (EM) wavelengths that are transmitted in the air called radio waves.

WiFi signal strength is the measurement of power from the perspective of your WiFi enabled device (phone, tablet, laptop etc.) indicated in graphic bars or notated numerically in RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) level.
