Belden Lists Top 5 Wireless Challenges and How to Solve Them

Wireless technology has changed rapidly. More people and even more devices now connect through the air instead of through wires. Initiatives like 5G, CBRS and Wi-Fi 6/6E await us on the horizon, with COVID-19 only having increased the demand for wireless connectivity.

As wireless takes center stage, you may start to consider the inherent challenges involved with deploying a consistently reliable wireless network.

That's why Belden has listed the Top 5 Challenges of deploying wireless networks: 

1. Attenuation

2. Movement/Time Variance 

3. Reach

4. Increasing Densification 

5. Multipath Fading

Attenuation

The farther wireless signals travel, the more they begin to lose their strength. This results in attenuation (or weakening signals).

Bringing outdoor wireless signals indoors isn’t a straightforward solution either. As signals from outdoor transmitters try to come inside, they can be attenuated to the point that connectivity is not even possible.

Unfortunately, you can’t just place an antenna on the outside of a building to use signals from a nearby cell tower. This creates capacity and overcrowding issues, resulting in poor throughput.

Movement/Time Variance

The best part of a wireless connection is that it allows us to be mobile. Your device doesn’t have to be connected via a wire… you can move around and still be connected to the network.

So what good is a wireless solution that tethers you to a certain spot to maintain a connection? A reliable wireless system needs to support signal transmission no matter where users are, how they move or where they place their devices.

Reach

To support applications like video streaming, the industry has been moving toward higher wireless signal frequencies, such as mmWave and 5 GHz. Typically, higher frequencies equate to a shorter range, whereas low-frequency signals can penetrate walls and floors better so their reach extends farther.

Increasing Densification

New users and devices are using wireless networks every day. No matter how many users or devices are using a network at a given time, premium connectivity is still expected.

This substantial growth can lead to network collision, which is caused when multiple devices are attempting to transmit data at the same time (so nothing gets through). When a collision is detected on a wired network, packets of information can be resent. This is not an option for wireless networks, so the only option for optimal wireless service is to find ways to prevent collisions altogether.

Multipath Fading

Transmitted signals do not always take a direct path. Instead, they can bounce off nearby indoor/outdoor objects and reflect back at different times (multipath fading). This can result in delayed signals all carrying the same information—also known as signal deterioration.

How To Address These Challenges

Now that you know what signal loss, movement, reach densification and multipath fading are, how can you resolve them?

The best place to start would be to deploy improved technologies with methods like multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) and/or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA).  

• MIMO supports the transfer of more data at the same time
• OFDMA divides wireless channels into smaller frequency allocations, so that multiple clients with varying bandwidth needs can connect to a single wireless network at once

Ensuring excellent wireless network performance is also contingent on cable balance. Voltage and current on each conductor within the pair must be equal in magnitude and phase. The two insulated conductors must be physically identical in terms of concentricity, diameter, and dielectric material; they must also be uniformly twisted.

A cable with outstanding balance protects networks from the harmful effects of outside noise, which is essential for wireless networks so signals can reach endpoint devices without delay or downtime.

There are well-balanced cabling systems designed specifically to support wireless systems.

Belden’s REVConnect® 10GXW System is a great example. It features:

• Best-in-class noise immunity
• A small diameter to help you maximize the number of cables you can fit inside a conduit
• Excellent performance in high-density, high-bandwidth applications

Discover more about the challenges of Wireless >>

Belden’s Wireless Approach: Customized for Your Projects

For time and cost savings, Belden experts help coordinate your project from start to finish—including finding the right consultant and contractor. Reach out to your Accu-Tech and Belden Representatives today to learn more!

Contact your local Accu-Tech Representative to further discuss Belden's Wireless solutions, or simply visit their vendor page.