WiFi range expander on wireless repeater Linksys WRE54G

Step 3 Theory

You need to increase both incoming and outgoing signal strength on the antenna.

• Use an idea of circular waveguide antenna described http://flakey.info/antenna/waveguide/ to shape outgoing signal. The overall signal in the desired direction will be “amplified” by this means up to 8 times = ca. 9 dBi
• Use an idea of a parabolic antenna to collect incoming signal power. The overall signal in the desired direction will be “amplified” by this means up to 5 times = ca. 7 dBi

The antenna of the Linksys device will be virtually divided in two parts for incoming and outgoing part. So the total signal power will actually be reduced twice. The overall gain will be respectively up to 4/2 times of signal strength = 6/3 dBi. Additionally you will become a better signal/noise ratio in a noisy WiFi area because of construction. You “filter” noise from undesired directions. It is practically equal to increasing gain up to 3 dBi. It is the case if a lot of locked access points are around. After all that means you could increase the distance to your access point or user up to 2 times.