Router Ranker Range algorithm?

[rbroders]

I'm curious how the router ranker range algorithm works.

The current number 1 router for 2.4GHz range is the D-Link DIR-878. However if you drill into the review, you find that the range is actually terrible for this router. The long range throughput at -57dB is 0 up and down!

The second and third place routers do much better. The R7800 has decent throughput all the way to -63dB and the AC-5300 has great throughput though it stops at -60dB.

It seems that high throughput in the low attenuation region skews the results here. I would suggest that a RANGE algorithm should be more heavily weighted in the high attenuation region of performance (i.e. ignore all data for less than 51dB attenuation perhaps).

Thanks -- Bob

P.S. I'm still trying to find a router that will beat the range of my RT-AC66U!

 

[thiggins]

Range rankings in the V10 process use the 39 dB attenuation value for 2.4 GHz and 30 dB attenuation value for 5 GHz.

These values are well beyond the "knee" of the curve, but far enough in to ensure that non zero values are captured from most all products.

All rankings are RELATIVE. Plot the top-ranked ASUS GT-AC5300, NETGEAR R7800 and DIR-878 together and you'll see the DIR-878 holds its own quite well.

 

[rbroders]

Thanks for the response! Your Plot makes the routers look very similar, but when I drill into the review here:
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wir...x4s-smart-wifi-gaming-router-reviewed?start=2
I see very dfferent data, including 4Mbps throughput at -63dB!

I like that you are past the knee in the curve, but it might be better to give more weight to the higher attenuation results as well.

Thanks -- Bob