Minimum Signal Strength

Signal strength may be affected by objects, the distance between your devices, and the AP settings. It is important to measure and test for minimum signal strength.

Check the entire badge usage area to ensure adequate signal strength as follows:

1. Perform measurements in at least two directions. It is ideal to perform measurements for four directions.
2. Ensure that the signal strength is always greater than -65 dBm.
3. Ensure that the AP transmit power is set to a level comparable to the typical transmit power of the Vocera badge. For more information, refer to Power.

The notebook computers typically used to perform site surveys contain omnidirectional antennas. However, the badge antenna is less perfectly omnidirectional and the signal strength is additionally affected by the body of the person wearing the badge.

The antenna in the Vocera badge is directional when the badge is worn properly. The attenuation resulting from the human body causes badge coverage at the back of the body to drop.

If you are performing measurements with equipment that uses an omnidirectional antenna, ensure a minimum of -65 dBm signal strength in all areas where the badge is used. Do this to accommodate situations where the body of the person wearing the badge is directly between the badge and the access point with which it is associated.

For more information on plots of the B3000n antenna patterns, refer to Antenna Patterns.