Lab 3.7.

6 Wave Propagation
Estimated Time: 30 Minutes
Number of Team Members: Students will work in teams of two or individually

Objective
In this lab, students will learn about objects that refract, reflect, diffract, and scatter radio waves in a
wireless LAN (WLAN). Students will also examine objects that cause multipath problems in a WLAN.
Finally, students will calculate a path loss value of the radio wave for various wave propagation
effects.

Scenario
It is important to understand how radio waves are propagated from one device to another. Radio
wave propagation is an important issue regarding the availability and reliability of a WLAN.
It is useful when setting up and troubleshooting WLANs to be able to identify possible obstructers in
a WLAN environment. It is also useful to know how these obstructers will affect the behavior of the
WLAN network.
A crucial factor in the success or failure of a communications system is how much power that comes
from the transmitter actually gets to the receiver.
There are many different ways that RF waves can be refracted, reflected, diffracted, scattered, or
affected by multipath problems.
These many different effects can be combined and described by what are known as path loss.

Preparation
The instructor will provide the flash simulation tools for radio wave propagation to each student team.
The instructor may need various obstructers for actual in-class demonstration.

Tools and Resources

As an option to using actual equipment, the instructor will provide the student with the WLAN course
Flash program simulation tools. The Instructor Guide has a listing of where these can be found.

Safety
Use the proper safety precautionary measures associated with any of the equipment in this lab.

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Fundamentals of Wireless LANs - Lab 3.7.6

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Step 1 Demonstrating (optical) refraction of a wave or signal.

Demonstrate the behavior of a wave through a refractive medium. Set up two PCs in Wireless Ad
Hoc mode for a passive site survey as in the lab activity in module 2 or use the Optical Refractor
flash program simulator.
The radio wave will be diverted from its course similar to bending, when passing through a refractive
medium. Use a fish tank or bowl with water in it to demonstrate this phenomenon. Place a straight
wood dowel into the water at an angle and view it from various angles to see the effects of refraction.
1. What happens to the signal quality and signal strength when it passes through a refractive
medium?

_____________________________________________________________________________

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Step 2 Demonstrating reflection of a signal

Demonstrate the behavior of a wave through a reflective medium. Set up two PCs in Wireless Ad
Hoc mode for a passive site survey as in the lab activity in module 2.
A radio wave will have a tendency to bounce off of its course when coming in contact with a
reflective medium. These bouncing signals can cause an effect known as multipath.
Place a metal cabinet between the two PCs to act as a reflective medium. View the effects of this
phenomenon by using the Link Status Meter in the ACU.
1. What happens to the signal quality and signal strength when it passes through a reflective
medium?

_____________________________________________________________________________

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Copyright 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Step 3 Demonstrating diffraction of a signal

Demonstrate the behavior of diffraction of a signal. Set up two PCs in Wireless Ad Hoc mode for a
passive site survey as in the lab activity in module 2.
A radio wave will have a tendency to be obstructed when coming in contact with a diffractive
medium. A portion of the wave will not pass through most diffractive mediums and can cause a high
degree of signal loss.
Place an irregular rough surface, such as a rooftop, between the two PCs to act as a diffractive
medium. Diffractive surfaces are more commonly found outside. View the effects of this
phenomenon by using the Link Status Meter in the ACU.
1. What happens to the signal quality and signal strength when it passes through a diffractive
medium?

_____________________________________________________________________________

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Step 4 Demonstrating scattering of a signal

Demonstrate the behavior of scattering of a signal. Set up two PCs in Wireless Ad Hoc mode for a
passive site survey as in the lab activity in module 2.
Radio waves scatter when they encounter objects that have very irregular surfaces like leaves on a
tree or surfaces that redirect portions of the signal through reflection or refraction. Examples of the
latter could be metal signs, metal buildings or objects in an irregular alignment alter the direction of
the path of a portion of the radio wave. View the effects of this phenomenon by using the Link Status
Meter in the ACU.
Place a large plant, a street sign, or a lamppost between the PCs to act as a scattering medium.
1. What happens to the signal quality and signal strength when it passes through a scattering
medium?

_____________________________________________________________________________
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Fundamentals of Wireless LANs - Lab 3.7.6

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Step 5 Demonstrating signal multipath problems

Step 5: Multipath Distortion Problems

Received Signals

Ceiling
TX

RX

Time
Combined Results

Obstruction
Floor

2002, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Time

AWLF 3.0Module 7-8

Demonstrate the behavior of signal multipath problems. Set up two or more PCs in Wireless Ad Hoc
mode for a passive site survey as in the lab activity in module 2.
Radio waves will have a tendency to bounce off reflective mediums and can cancel each other. This
condition is considered multipath.
Try adding more than two wireless LAN clients in a small area with several reflective surfaces such
as windows, smooth textured walls, and so on. View the effects of this phenomenon by using the
Link Status Meter in the ACU.
1. What happens to the signal quality and signal strength when it passes through a refractive
medium?

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

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Step 6 Free Space Path Loss

Step 6: Free Space Path Loss

Calculation

2002, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

AWLF 3.0Module 7-6

Use the Free Space Path Loss flash program simulator to calculate different path loss values. The
Instructor Guide identifies where this simulation can be found.
1. Which frequency is affected by distance more, the 2.4GHz or 5GHz?

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Fundamentals of Wireless LANs - Lab 3.7.6

Copyright 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc.