Specifications

DRM - Dynamic Radio Management
Summit WM Series WLAN Switch and Altitude Access Point Software Version 4.1 Technical Reference Guide
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Maximizing RF Footprint
DRM Standard Power Control transmits 802.11 management frames at full power creating a maximum
sized RF cell. Management frames include Beacons, Association and Disassociation frames, and Probe
request and responses. Clients use these messages to evaluate the RF environment, establish connections
to APs, and determine when to roam to a new AP. All of these operations are critical to the operation of
a wireless client.
Figure 18: DRM Standard Power Mode
The diagram in Figure 1 shows clients at different distances from the AP. Both clients measure the signal
strength from the AP using Beacons or Probe Responses. This gives the client and accurate view of the
RF signal quality it can obtain from the AP.
Minimizing interference
Data traffic in a wireless network makes up the majority of transmissions causing interference. A client
associated to an AP that is very close does not need the AP to transmit at full power in order to obtain a
great connection. Reducing power of the data traffic not only provides excellent performance to the
client but also reduces the amount of interference this traffic may cause to other APs.
DRM continuously monitors the position of its clients and dynamically adjusts power to accommodate
the furthest client. In the diagram shown in Figure 2, the transmit power for data frames is raised to
support the client furthest away.
The diagram in Figure 1 shows the inner ring (data frame transmit power) reaching just past the
furthest client. Transmitting at a power level that provides the furthest client with the best service yields
the best overall system performance.