Wireless networks have a limited range.
State two factors that can reduce the range of a wireless network.
Mark scheme
Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks:
- Walls/obstacles between the device and the access point (1)
- Interference from other electrical devices/other devices/other wireless networks (1)
- Distance from the access point (1)
- Using a higher frequency band (e.g. 5GHz) (1)
- Low transmit power of the access point/device (1)
Allow thick walls/furniture for walls/obstacles
Do not accept using more bandwidth
Do not accept a weaker signal without a stated cause
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2
Walls can block the signal, and moving further from the access point reduces the range.
Why: Gives walls as an obstacle (1) and distance from the access point (1).
Some marks1/2
Interference from other devices.
Why: Gives one valid factor, interference from other devices (1), but no second factor.
No marks0/2
Using more bandwidth reduces the range.
Why: Bandwidth does not reduce range; this is a near-miss listed as Do not accept, so no mark.