A school provides a wireless network for its students.
Describe how the range of a wireless network can affect its performance.
Mark scheme
Award up to two marks for a linked description such as:
- The further a device is from the wireless access point (1) the weaker the signal becomes (1)
- A device outside the range of an access point (1) cannot connect to the network / loses its connection (1)
- Walls and other obstacles reduce the range of the signal (1) so some areas of a building have a poor or no connection (1)
- A wireless network with a greater range (1) allows devices to connect from further away (1)
Do not accept responses that only state that range is measured in metres or give a definition of range, as these do not describe an effect on performance.
Do not accept responses about the number of devices or interference unless they are linked to range.
Example answers and how they were marked
The further a device is from the access point, the weaker the signal becomes, so the device may lose its connection.
Why: Linked point: distance from the access point (1), developed by the weaker signal and lost connection (1).
Walls and other objects can reduce the range of a wireless signal.
Why: Point given: obstacles reduce range (1), but there is no development of the effect on performance.
Range is the maximum distance a wireless signal can travel.
Why: A definition of range, not a description of its effect on performance, which the mark scheme does not accept.