Most of us take certain types of technology for granted — until it's not working for us. We have all probably lost phone service while inside the walls of a warehouse or at the bottom of a parking garage. This can be an annoying inconvenience, but how often has it prevented you from making a deadline or resulted in a loss of revenue?
For those who rely on a wireless network to run a system of synchronized clocks, the stakes are high. Signal coverage is critical to remain profitable and keep students or employees on time. Here are some important things to know about wattage size and coverage of the signal for your wireless clock network.
Testing a Wireless Signal
Not all wireless signals are created equal. Before considering a wireless system of clocks, it's important to run tests to see where signal coverage is good, and where it needs improvement. An excellent tool for testing coverage is a handheld signal meter. The device determines the strength, direction, and distance of radio signals in a facility. Using it will show you the specific areas in your school or business where strength is solid, or where it could use a boost, which in turn will help you calculate the costs of building out or improving your wireless infrastructure.
Material Issues
As Madonna sang back in the 80s: "We are Living in a Material World." In the wireless world, the materials that matter are not clothes and jewelry, but concrete and steel. These materials can greatly affect the strength of a wireless signal. The best way to create a reliable signal in a building with different types of materials is to place the master wireless clock in a centralized, elevated area. This single master clock should be selected to provide the best possible coverage throughout the facility, and be easy to locate and maintain.
Watt's the Deal?
So in order to get a reliable signal, master clock location is key, but you will also need to make sure you have the correct wattage transmitter to provide the strongest coverage possible. Here is a guide for installing the best transmitter, based on the size of your building.
- 1–2 story building, 200,000 SF per floor: 5W transmitter
- 3–4 story building, 100,000 SF per floor: 10W transmitter
- 3–6 story building/small to medium sized campus with multiple buildings: 25W transmitter
- 8–12 story building with coverage for a city block: 40W transmitter
When it comes to getting a reliable wireless signal for a synchronized clock system, there are going to be a lot of variables. Before making the investment, do your research or call a professional to help you determine the best solution for your facility.
Remember, getting the correct wireless clock system in place will improve efficiency and profitability.
