Objective:

I can complete my midterm assessment by demonstrating and evaluating what I learned during the DIY Directional Antennas Project.

Links:

DIY Antennas Project Final Reflection Form:

Google Classroom

Topics Discussed:

Wireless Networking
802.11 Wi-Fi spec
Directional Antennas
Waveguide Antenna
Yagi Antenna
Flickenger design Antenna

Assignment:

Today, we will complete our directional antenna project. Our goal was to sustain a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal over a minimum distance of 100 yards (300 ft or ~92m). Many of the antenna designs successfully completed this task, but only one came out on top with a whopping -68db signal and 32% sustained signal quality over a distance of 150 yards. Please congratulate Luis and Eli for their outstanding helical antenna design that conquered all other designs. They will be enjoying pizza and wings on Friday as the rest of the class completes the final reflection assignment.

The link for the reflection assignment can be found here. Please follow the instructions on the form, and answer each question group with a complete five-sentence paragraph. Pay attention to your spelling, punctuation and grammar as you compose your paragraphs. This assignment is to be written in a professional tone in an academic voice, and it will be graded based on the criteria described on the form. Each team member must submit their own form, but can work together on the wording of the individual submissions. This assignment is effectively your final project assessment which represents the major portion of your project grade, and should be addressed accordingly.

Good luck, and thank you for all your hard work on this project. Do your best on your reflection and then it’s back to the lab for some Linux installation and configuration exercises!

Posted: February 23rd, 2017
Due Date: February 24th, 2017

Objective:

I can demonstrate my understanding of computer networks, network operating systems and wireless networking by assembling a directional antenna with the intent of establishing and sustaining a 2.4 GHz wireless signal at a distance of greater than 100 yards.

Links:

Do It Yourself Wireless Antenna (Pringles Can Yagi): https://www.binarywolf.com/249/pringles_cantenna.htm

How to Build a Tin Can Waveguide WiFi Antenna: https://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html

802.11b Homebrew Wi-Fi Antenna Shootout: https://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/has.html

DIY Bi-Quad Directional Wi-Fi Antenna: https://lifehacker.com/5964111/diy-wi-fi-antenna-cheaply-extends-your-wireless-network

Build a Directional Wi-Fi Antenna from Kitchen Gear and a Baby Bottle: https://lifehacker.com/build-a-directional-wi-fi-antenna-from-kitchen-gear-and-1686173362

$10 Wi-Fi 16dBi Super Antenna: https://www.instructables.com/id/10–WIFI-16dBi-Super-Antenna-Pictorial/

Topics Discussed:

Wireless Networking
802.11 Wi-Fi spec
Directional Antennas
Waveguide Antenna
Yagi Antenna
Flickenger design Antenna

Assignment:

Today, we will continue the build phase of our directional antenna project. Remember that the goal is to sustain a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal over a minimum distance of 100 yards (300 ft or ~92m).

All tools and equipment are on the metal cart Room 212. The wireless network cards are located in the cabinet closest to the Teacher Workroom door in Room 212. If the cabinet is locked, see Mr. Herrera for the key. The transmitter testing cart is in the back of Room 225, and the username and password is on a stickynote at the bottom of the screen. The receiver cart (with the target router) is there as well, but will need a magnet instructor to log in with the admin password.

Please use this time to make progress on your project. On Friday, February 10th, we will go out to the football field and test all completed antennas to allow those with working products to see the results and modify their designs if necessary. You should have a finished antenna prepared to test at that time so you can tweak the design if necessary before the final test on the week of the 20th!

We will conduct final tests during the week of March 20th. To be considered a success (and receive credit for the project), your antenna design must be able to sustain at least a one-bar wireless signal over a 100 yard distance (the length of the football field).

Reminder: The team (or individual) that produces the antenna that can reliably sustain the highest gain signal over the longest distance will receive a personal pizza and wings party, to be held while everyone else writes a four paragraph personal reflection describing their participation in this project.

Good luck, and remember: Your antenna doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be better than everyone else’s.

Posted: February 6th, 2017
Due Date: February 10th, 2017