Cantenna devices function by focusing and strengthening the radio wave receiving area of communication devices such as wireless phones, internet, television and radios as opposed to conventional antennas which receive signals over a broader area with minimal strength. When a radio wave enters the opening of the can it bounces off the can walls until it reaches the receiving wire within the can. This receiving wire sends the information to the communication device with minimal static or interference.

The area in which the Cantenna can receive the optimum signal is also adjustable, allowing the Cantenna to be used in a variety of locations and environments. A Cantenna consists of a hollow tube (usually a 40oz can) and a coaxial cable. This cantenna acts as a microwave waveguide by capturing, confining and propagating the radio frequency signal within its metallic walls. The radio frequency is introduced into the can by a protruding conductor of a coaxial cable. The probe can transmit and receive signals from the waveguide. The frequency that a Cantenna can propagate is a function of the diameter of the tube. Cantenna operate as high pass filters since they can only propagate signal above a certain cut-off frequency. In the case our project, we will be using the common wireless networking (WLAN) standard, IEEE 802.11n-2009 which is transmitted at a frequency of 2.4GHz.

The WI-FI Antenna booster gives increased signal strength at locations where the signal strength goes low as the distance increases. It also provides us with a cost-effective product as compared to the boosters available at the market. So this approach is more suitable for the small-scale use.

Wireless networks are clear benefits (mobility, flexibility, ease of installation, low maintenance cost, and scalability) but also has some disadvantages (use demanding equipments for operating parameters such as humidity, temperature etc). Smart Antennas can be used to achieve different benefits.  The most important is higher network capacity. It provides better range or coverage by focusing the energy sent out into the cell, multi-path rejection by minimizing fading and other undesirable effects of multi-path propagation. Smart antennas are a solution to capacity and interference Problems. Good quality and powerful Wi-Fi signal amplifiers can increase the signal strength threefold. Bidirectional Wi-Fi signal boosters increase the strength of transmitted, as well as received signals. That is, they work both ways. They boost signal strength by as much as 600%. Thus the Wi-Fi booster antenna is used in improving the signal strength by considering the above mentioned points. It is basically effective in locations where there is coverage problem in case of mobile or when the signal strength becomes less as the distance increases. Further concluding that, on testing the antenna the signal strength reduces with the increase in the distance between the antenna and the Wi-Fi access point.

APPLICATION

• Hot spots similar to those serviced by today’s Wi-Fi systems (airports, hotel lobbies, etc.)

• Academic campuses, in various self-contained areas (quads, auditoriums, cafeterias, etc.)

• Stadiums and arenas, again, which offer self-contained environments.

• Malls and shopping areas, favoured by large numbers of younger, Internet-savvy users.

• Mass transportation (trains, etc.) with users looking for interaction and entertainment.

• Enclosed parks and recreation areas.

• Residential homes, supplanting DSL/Cable services