User's Manual

h. Understanding Signal Interference
Physical Obstructions and Communication Range
Communication range between master and slave may be up to 500 feet nominal or 1000 feet for a clear
line of sight transmission path across an open space. In a hospital environment this will likely be limited to
250 feet or less based on walls and other barriers.
How Solid Matter Affects Radio Transmission: All items found in hospitals will partially block or
attenuate (reduce) RF radio waves by absorbing them, reflecting them, or refracting them (changing their
direction). This can also lead to situations where signal strength is good but signal quality can be poor.
Solid Object
Reflected Signal
Refracted Signal
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Cement, metal, plaster, wood, and
even plants or people all block some
fraction of an RF signal.
The denser the material, the greater
the attenuation. For example,
cement and metal will strongly
attenuate an RF signal, while wood,
plaster, or glass attenuate less. A
signal will pass through windows
(including safety windows with
internal wire mesh) or non-metallic
partition walls with only a slight loss
of strength.
The signal will degrade but pass
through solid walls of concrete.
However a sheet of solid metal will
effectively block transmission.
Signals from Master and Slave wireless monitors can travel only a very short distance through some
items (depending on their thickness) and not at all through others. The greatest working distance between
master and slave will occur when there is a clear line of sight between them. Anything placed between
the master and slave will reduce the signal strength.
Communication range between master and slave will also vary depending on antenna positioning, the
physical environment, and other factors.
Part Number 062-0983-01 Rev C page 3 - 8