Every Wi-Fi access point (AP) connects to a LAN with Ethernet cabling, typically balanced twisted-pair copper cabling. Most Wi-Fi access points also receive power over that cabling via Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology. Depending on the generation, wireless APs use radio frequency (RF) signals operating in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and/or 6 GHz frequency bands to communicate with devices. Network installers and technicians therefore have multiple considerations when testing and troubleshooting Wi-Fi to optimize performance and provide a seamless user experience. CERTIFYING INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRITY The performance of the wireless network will be no better than the performance of the cabling connecting it. Cabling issues can cause intermittent signal loss and poor performance which are difficult to diagnose. Certification testing is crucial for ensuring the reliability and performance of structured cabling installations by demonstrating compliance with applicable industry cabling standards. Most cabling system manufacturers even require certification testing to acquire a system warranty. Certification test results also protect installers from post-installation issues that
are no fault of their own and provide a valuable benchmark for troubleshooting. Certification testing for twisted-pair cabling assesses specific performance parameters, including:
• Insertion loss: Measures signal attenuation over the cable length.
• Near-end crosstalk (NEXT) and power sum NEXT (PSNEXT): Quantifies interference between pairs within a cable. • Near-end attenuation to crosstalk ratio (ACR-N) and power sum ACR-N (PSACR-N): Evaluates the balance between signal strength and crosstalk. • Far-end attenuation to crosstalk ratio (ACR-F) and power sum ACR-F (PSACR-F): Assesses the balance between signal strength and crosstalk at the far end of the cable.
• Return loss: Measures the amount of signal reflected to the transmitter.
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January/February/March 2025
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