[opendtv] Wi-Fi connection problems dog iPad

From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 10:18:05 -0500
Modulation problems! Woo-oo!

If they really do use 802.11n, MIMO, with built-in diversity antenna, it 
doesn't seem in the least bit surprising that the connection speeds can be 
variable. MIMO depends on multipath propagation and as little crosstalk as 
possible among the different paths. Not exactly something that is likely to 
remain unchanged as people walk around with the device.

Bert

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Wi-Fi connection problems dog iPad

Peter Clarke
(04/07/2010 9:28 AM EDT)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=224201762

LONDON - Purchasers of the Apple iPad, which went on sale in U.S. on Saturday 
(April 3), have been complaining that the tablet computer is having problems 
connecting to Wi-Fi wireless LAN routers.

By Wednesday morning Apple's technical support forum had more than 20 pages of 
comments on the topic of "Weak Wi-Fi" originally posted on April 3. The main 
complaint is that the iPad wireless connection is of variable signal strength 
and frequently drops out altogether. Some comments compare wireless connection 
strength on the iPad unfavorably with that of other Apple devices connecting to 
the same wireless router.

It is not clear whether the performance issues are general across all iPads, 
suggesting a design issue, or whether they only occur in some examples of the 
product, suggesting a manufacturing issue. It is also unclear as to whether the 
problems are software-related, and could potentially be cured by a downloaded 
software patch, or hardware related.

Apple posted a troubleshooting guide http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3237 
although the wisdom contained therein is fairly conventional and includes such 
advice as "move closer to the Wi-Fi router."

The support forum includes speculation on the cause of the problem with 
discussion as to whether the problem lies in non-Apple Wi-Fi routers or in the 
use of N-mode (IEEE 802.11n-2009), and whether restricting a router to G-mode 
only operation can save the situation. Other forum users state that there is a 
problem when using the iPad resting of different surfaces giving rise to 
speculation that the positioning or size of the Wi-Fi antenna within the casing 
of the iPad is the reason for poor performance.

"My signal keeps fluctuating from strong to weak, while my MacBook and iPhone 
show a consistent signal at the same location," said one forum user.

"Bear in mind that the all metal enclosure of the iPad may be whats blocking 
the signal. There's a reason that the iPod Touch has a plastic window in the 
back for the Wi-Fi antenna, and the MBP's antenna is housed within the plastic 
portion of the hinge," wrote another forum contributor.

Broadcom is rumored to have supplied the BCM4329 combination Wi-Fi/Bluetooth 
chip for use in the iPad (see Inside the iPad: Samsung, Broadcom snag multiple 
wins).

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[opendtv] Wi-Fi connection problems dog iPad

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