College of Natural and Computational Sciences

Department of physics

Senior Project

Measuring WIFI downlink speed at different distance for different

brand smartphones

By
Ykeber Meseret (NSR/1515/11)

Instructor Dr. Mesfine Tadese

 Measuring WIFI downlink speed at different distance for different brand smartphones

Ykeber Meseret
Department of Physics, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University
Ykebermeseret586@gmail.com, October 1, 2021

Abstract

In this investigation, Huawei router (model E 5576-855) was used as Hotspot and the WIFI
downlink speed was measured at various distances for the smartphone brands Huawei, Infinix
Hot 9, Tecno Spark4, and Samsung A20S. To assess the data, WIFI downlink speed was plotted
against distance for each brand. The graphs show that as the distance between the router and
the smartphone increases, the WIFI downlink speed falls logarithmically. Finally, I compared the
brands based on WIFI downlink speed for various distances and observed that the Huawei had
the best WIFI downlink speed with characteristic equation S= -1.466ln(D) + 12.031 for the
distances measured, while the Samsung A20S had the slowest WIFI downlink speed
(S=-0.791ln(D) + 6.3405).

Keyword: Data point, downlink and uplink

Introduction

Smartphones are becoming an indispensible part of our everyday lives, and WIFI connectivity is
just as critical. Due to implementation differences that effect speed, signal range, and latency,
WIFI performance differs across mobile phone brands. [1] For this study, however, I determined
the WIFI downlink speed at various distances for various smartphone brands in order to
discover which brand has the quickest downlink speed at various distances.

The amount of data received and communicated by mobile phones over WIFI connections is
significantly more than the amount received and transmitted via cellular networks, according to
available data. [2] (Source: CISCO, 2015-2020)

Because of the importance of WIFI connection and cellphones to humanity, we have come to
rely on them for our wellbeing. Nowadays, manufacturers are attempting to improve the WIFI
communication performance of their smartphones by enhancing the RF chip, power supply, and
other systems related to WIFI communication performance. When purchasing a smartphone,
users must consider the brand's impact on WIFI connectivity in order to experience good data
transfer through WIFI. This project gives away to compare brands of smartphones based on
WIFI downlink performance over increasing distance.
Background

My personal university experience sparked the idea for this study. When my friend Naod and I
use WIFI on our cellphones at same time, he usually has a faster downlink speed than me.
However, our phones were same distance from router, and there was no obstruction between
the router and either of us. The only difference between my smartphone and Naod's was the
brand. Furthermore, I've noticed that when I'm close to the router, the WIFI downlink speed is
good, but when I move away from the router, the WIFI downlink speed becomes very slow.

The Shannon–Hartley theorem (Shannon, 1949) paired with the inverse-square law shows that
attenuation of radio waves in an unshielded normal environment reduces the maximum
communication bit rate over distance. Hasegawa et al. (2011) demonstrated that this is also
true for WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) systems by measuring the inverse relationship
between Received signal strength indication ( RSSI) and average throughput, which means that
the lower the RSSI is due to path loss, the worse the throughput. [3]
Two phones from different manufacturers may be at the same area, next to each other, yet
have different signal strengths. The user who is holding the phone that has a weaker signal will
then complain that their phone has poor signal reception. This is due to the performance of the
phone's WIFI receiver. When the WIFI component is connected to the router, the RF receiver
measures the data packets released by the AP and uses this information to calculate the RSSI
(received signal strength indicator) number. The operating system then displays the signal
strength depending on the RSSI result. Under normal circumstances, the closer the mobile
phone is to the router, the higher the RSSI value (or the stronger the WIFI signal).[1]

In contrast, the greater the distance between the phone and the router, the lower the RSSI
value and, as a result, the weaker the WIFI signal. The RSSI and signal strength measurements
measured by calibrated and tested phones match the actual received values. These phones also
perform better in terms of downlink signal reception. RSSI and signal strength numbers
measured by uncalibrated and untested phones, on the other hand, are inconsistent with real
received values. Such phones likewise perform poorly in terms of downlink signal reception.
Thus, uncalibrated and untested phones will not only show a weaker WIFI signal, but also
perform worse in terms of internet speeds and signal range compared to phones that have
been calibrated and tested. [1]

The main focus of this study was on attenuation over distance and the quality of Wi-Fi downlink
speed. I also compare the downlink speed of several smartphone manufacturers at different
distances. Downlink speed and distance are dependent and independent variable respectively.
The control variables are downloaded file size and the number of user which connected to the
hotspot at the same time. There are also uncontrolled variable like internet speed and battery
percentage of smartphones.
Methodology

I utilized a Huawei router as a hotspot for this experiment. This router's model is E 5576-855,
and it has a maximum download speed of 150 mbps and a capacity of up to 16 users. More
importantly, it features a 2.5 GHz bandwidth, which provides more distance coverage than a 5
GHz bandwidth. [4]

Fig.1. set up for this experiment.

In addition, I used smartphones that were chosen based on their brand. Because the primary
goal of this study is to determine which brand performs best at various distances. Techno spark
4 (model Tecno KC8), Huawei (model MAR-LX1A), Infinix Hot 9 and Samsung A20S are among
the smartphones chosen.

This study was conducted in indoor where there was no physical barrier between the WIFI
hotspot and the smartphone. By measuring 140 cm between two consecutive data points, I set
up the experiment as illustrated in the above diagram fig1. It's worth noting that the WIFI
hotspot and smartphone are both connected via line of sight. Despite the fact that a 2.4GHz
router's service range is roughly 46 meters [9], my trial space was just 42 meters long at best,
and the attenuation beyond their maximum distance is unknown.

I utilized the VLC for Android application as a file to be downloaded from the Play Store with a
size of 28.1 MB. The hotspot was only connected to using a single smart phone to reduce
interference that occurs when many users connect to the same hotspot at same time.

Finally, I downloaded VLC for Android application using a smart phone at each data point and
documented the time it took the phone to download the file using a stop watch. For the 30
data points as well as each brand, I followed the same process.
Analysis

To examine the data, a graph was created that plotted each data point's WIFI speed (S) versus
distance. It was possible to generate a characteristics equation using this graph, which was then
used to compare the performance of the sample smartphone.

A. Infinix hot 9 brand

Fig.2. the graph depicts the performance of the Infinix Hot 9 for a download link over distance
with trend line equation.

B. Huawei brand

Fig.3. the graph depicts the performance of the Huawei for a download link over distance with
trend line equation.
 C. Tecno spark 4 brand

Fig.4. the graph depicts the performance of the Tecno spark 4 for a download link over distance
with trend line equation.

D. Samsung A20S brand

Figure 5, the graph depicts the performance of the Samsung A20S for a download link over
distance with trend line equation.
 E. All brand smartphones

Fig.5. With a trend line equation, the graph displays the performance of the for all brand for a
download link over distance.

Discussion

The performance graphs for the Tecno spark 4, Infinix hot 9, and Huawei show that all three
brands have a comparable downlink speed drop off pattern and this drop off pattern mainly due
to path loss. However, when compared to other brands, Huawei has the best logarithmic decay
WIFI downlink speed over measured distance, as demonstrated by the graph of Huawei
performance S= -1.466ln(D) + 12.031.

Infinix Hot 9 and Tecno Spark 4 also exhibit logarithmic decay WIFI downlink speed as distance
increases. The Infinix Hot 9 does indeed have a good WIFI downlink speed that is comparable
able to Huawei, with the equation of the trend line of graph S= -1.379ln (D) + 11.815.

Tecno Spark 4 also has S= -1.336ln (D) + 11.266 speed with increasing distance, ranking it third
among sample smartphones in terms of WIFI downlink speed. As shown in Figure 5, the WIFI
signal of the Samsung A20S brand was less consistent, and the download speed declined
dramatically as the distance from the hotspot increased, as a result of this Samsung A20S brand
having the lowest speed with equation S=-0.791ln(D) + 6.3405.
After 3000cm, the graph trandline of Huawei and Samsung A20S displays negative values. This
negative value meaning is that the WIFI downlink speed was nearly zero after 3000cm rather
than a meaningless negative WIFI downlink speed.
The test smartphone brand was chosen solely on the basis of their brand for economic reasons.
There was a limited quantity of smartphones chosen. Tecno spark 4 and Infinix hot 9 are on
Android 10, whereas Huawei and Samsung are on Android 9. Furthermore, the product year for
Huawei, Tecno Spark 4, and Samsung was 2019 E.C., however the Infinix Hot 9 was released in
2020. Most importantly, the sample smartphones do not represent the brand's most recent
version.
Aside from distance, there are other elements that affect WIFI downlink speed that could be
causes of inaccuracy in this study. These include internet speed, other wireless networks, and
the router's wireless channel.
For this study, internet speed, for example, could be a cause of mistake. There is a virtual
disconnect from time to time. This has a significant negative influence on the user experience.
The receiver is operating if the phone reports that there is a signal. The problem here is with
the power level of the transmitter inside the phone.
For mobile phone performance, the transmitter power level is crucial. The phone battery will
quickly deplete if the transmitting power is set too high, requiring the user to charge the phone
more frequently. After path attenuation, uplink signals will not be able to reach the router's
receiving antenna if the sending power is too low. In actuality, this will limit the mobile phone's
functional area. [1]
Conclusion
According to my research, as cellphones move further away from the hotspot, downlink speed
declines in a logarithmic fashion. Over the tested distance, Huawei's WIFI download speed was
the fastest, while Samsung A20S's WIFI downlink speed was the slowest.

To experience high downlink speed, WIFI users are recommended that configure their router
and smartphone at a closer distance. They can do this by using a design strategy such as the
WIFI signal heat map method. Furthermore, users must update their Android and OS to the
most recent versions.

When designing a smartphone, smartphone manufacturers must consider offering a longer-

range radio wave receiver and transmitter radio frequency (RF) chip, as well as rigorous WIFI
calibration and testing on transmitting power during phone manufacturing to assure
transmission power accuracy.
If this research is conducted on a wide number of different brand smart phones with the most
recent version modal and upload speed and latency as a comparative quantity, it will provide
more information on each brand's performance in the future. It also brings up the question of
which smartphone manufacturer has the best radio frequency chip.
References

1) https://www.5gtechnologyworld.com/examining-common-smartphone-wifi-quality-
issues-and-how-wifi-performance-testing-can-help/
2) CISCO, 2015-2020
3) OPTIMAL POSITION TO PLACE WI-FI RANGE EXTENDER TO IMPROVE ITS PERFORMANCE
Autors Toshikazu Nishimura, Mikhael Jonathan Angelo Wibowo, Theofillus Toby
Gunawan, Muhammad Junaid Sajid
4) Huawei Technologies manual
5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shannon%E2%80%93Hartley_theorem
6) https://www.reuters.com/article/us-smartphones-suppliers-idUSBRE92E0YU20130315
7) https://www.minim.com/blog/how-do-i-interpret-my-wifi-speed-test-results
8) Gupta, Prakash C (2006). Data Communications and Computer Networks. PHI
Learning. ISBN 9788120328464. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
9) https://openweb.co.za/how-far-will-your-wifi-signal-reach/
Appendix

Data point – is a point at which measurement is taken.

Line of sight propagation - is a characteristic electromagnetic radiation in which two stations

can only transmit and receive data signals when they’re in direct view of each other with no
obstacles in between.

WIFI downlink speed throughout this work I used this phrase to describe the data transfer
speed from a WIFI router to a smartphone from smartphone user perspective, which is also
known as the downloading process.

RF chip –Radio frequency chip

The WIFI downlink speed (S) is calculated as

S=File ¿ MB ¿ ¿ download file ¿

Time taken¿

Sample calculation for Huawei

28.1 Mb
S= = 3.82690Mb/s
7.35 sec
 Data

Table 1, wifi downlink speed of each brand at different distance

Distance Huawei downlink Tecno spark 4 SamsungA20S Infinix Hot 9

(cm) speed(MbPs) downlink speed downlink downlink speed
(MbPs) speed(MbPs) (MbPs)
140 3.826904 3.621134 2.443478 4.10219
280 3.569387 4.025788 1.697885 4.787053
420 3.760455 2.908903 2.542986 3.385542
560 3.240127 3.495025 2.407883 3.313679
700 3.369305 3.051031 0.837306 2.111195
840 2.404792 2.782178 0.81167 2.407883
980 2.231044 2.258842 0.727979 2.927083
1120 1.691243 1.75187 0.209249 1.967787
1260 1.548636 1.800128 0.18115 2.072271
1400 1.623105 1.530501 0.316335 1.890983
1540 1.426758 1.439549 0.161411 2.072271
1680 1.311399 1.523861 0.169614 1.890983
1820 1.234758 1.309413 0.154142 1.825861
1960 0.390061 1.146939 0.122509 1.581317
2100 0.356475 1.114637 0.088345 1.465832
2240 0.256504 1.212775 0.076123 1.327977
2380 0.218308 0.97131 0.076158 1.256147
2520 0.199712 0.747937 0.073118 1.165491
2660 0.1879 0.631035 0.072647 1.106735
2800 0.195645 0.577239 0.070378 0.666667
2940 0.155761 0.639072 0.067927 0.713379
3080 0.141068 0.321253 0.065419 0.565734
3220 0.13444 0.290951 0.061894 0.771766
3360 0.113545 0.187371 0.063145 0.463467
3500 0.111178 0.161838 0.06009 0.445325
3640 0.114326 0.165616 0.058281 0.255455
3780 0.086804 0.143075 0.057911 0.25944
3920 0.075802 0.137274 0.052119 0.108436
4060 0.072949 0.120575 0.053594 0.068222
4200 0.065321 0.107268 0.053084 0.061909
Acknowledgement

First and foremost, I'd like to thank God and my family. I would like to express my deep and
sincere gratitude to Naod Demissie. I'd want to express my gratitude to Hanok Tadele, who
provided the router for this project. I also want to thank Samson Fayera for his assistance.
Finally, I'd like to thank Dr. Mesfine Tadese for his comments and guidance on this project.