2 suspicious things about iburst modem

S

seburn

Expert Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
1,127
Reaction score
0
Location
JHB
1. Signal increases when there is internet activity or on connection
2. Signal increases when the modem is switched off and on

Any comments?

Is the signal really refecting the signal we are recieving?
 
Here I always have 100% signal, but found the same in CapeTown (Rondebosch)
 
yeah thats always been like that, just ping contant if its a problem
 
In my case it wasn't a problem. If the UTD would be idle for a time, the signal level would drop (2 - 3 leds). As soon as activity would start, the signal level increased (5 leds).
 
It may have always been that way but that doesn't change the question.

Is the signal indicated on the modem/terminal the correct signal that is being recieved or are they pulling the wool over our eyes and "uping" the signal so we stay happy.

Signal should not be infuenced by pinging or activity or switching off and on (unless it finds another base station in the last case)?

or am i wronge?
 
I wouldn't be surprised if the system uses adaptive signal strengths, but then I also wouldn't expect WBS to even be aware if it... One might find the answer on Kyocera's site.
 
"Adaptive Array Antenna technology is characterized by two main features. The first is concentrated signal output. The iBurst base station is able to detect the phase and amplitude of each antenna and user terminal , and then concentrate signal power to deliver a stronger signal to the subscriber unit. The second feature is being able to suppress the interference. Adaptive Array Antenna technology allows the base station to detect any signal interference, then adjust the signal phase and amplitude to minimize any interference effect on the base station. Simultaneously, the base station can protect other terminals from interference by stopping any transmission to the terminal which is causing interference. These features together assure a more stable, higher-speed Internet access service over a wide coverage area. "
 
Hmmm... Maybe, maybe
but that says nothing about adjusting the signal once the user has already connected
 
seburn said:
Hmmm... Maybe, maybe
but that says nothing about adjusting the signal once the user has already connected
Click to expand...
If your signal is ever below 5 LED's you have a krap signal. You will frequently get lousy speeds, and you should do whatever you can to boost your signal strength. When you have 5 LEDs solid all the time, and are getting >1000kbps on the local speed test day in and day out, you will have reached the very zenith of SA broadband.

Anything less than full signal, all the time, and your problems are YOUR problems. And that, I'm afraid... is wireless.
 
When you have 5 LEDs solid all the time, and are getting >1000kbps on the local speed test day in and day out, you will have reached the very zenith of SA broadband.
Click to expand...
I have achieved this 3 days in a row now. When the weather is crap, and the signal is 3 LED's I am getting 128kbit/sec so u are right
 
jmn said:
In my case it wasn't a problem. If the UTD would be idle for a time, the signal level would drop (2 - 3 leds). As soon as activity would start, the signal level increased (5 leds).
Click to expand...

I had the same problem in the beginning ... doing the ping thing to get the connection up to 5 leds. I did however assume that this is not the way it should be ... so I started walking through the house with the UTD connected to my Notebook (USB cable) to get the sweet spot.

Found it, 5 leds all the time, and now I get my 1Mb speeds, and even more sometimes
 
As long as it works, I don't care even if there is no signal at all :-)

I have been advised to power-off-on the modem every time I have diconnection problems etc., so it looks to me like this modems are quite crappy on first place, I doubt that they make it intentionally, but who knows ...
 
The modem doesn't work well in low signal conditions. I had a similar experience to Landy Man. Averaging 2/3 LED's with the modem in my study, I also had to switch the modem on/off to reconnect. Seldom got above 200-300kbps on the Telkom test. Had to use the ping to keep downloads going.

Then I got a 30m length of ethernet cable and a power extension cable and walked the modem all around the house. Found the sweet spot upstairs, outside on a sheltered balcony wall. Now get 5 constants LED's. And 1Mbit D/L speeds anytime, day and night.

IMO, getting a constant 100% signal is a must if you want a (relatively) hassle free Iburst expereince. When you reach that step, almost every problem you'll have will be related to the WBS network (only 3 serious events I know of this year). If you haven't reached that step, most problems you'll have (and they are likely to be frequent) will be to do with factors in your own environment.

This is notwithstanding the problematic basestations of Northcliff and Bryanston. In their case, some strategically placed explosives might do the world of good.
 
If i can add to gatecrasher. Once you have your spot with 5 leds constant, fine tune with your pings. You should aim for a ping to iburst.co.za of under 80ms without too much jitter. If your ping is all over the place you have not yet found your G(reat) spot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X