How to improve your wireless network signal?

Having trouble getting a good signal with your wireless network? Before you dropkick the kitty, consider these ten tips from Microsoft on how to improve your signal range and strength.
Now, for the more experienced user, these suggestions are all pretty basic. However, for anyone who's just getting started on the road to wireless connectivity, all ten of these tips are must-haves. What's the best way you've been able to boost your wireless network's efficiency - legally, of course? Let us know in the comments. — Wendy Boswell

10 tips for improving your wireless network [Microsoft]

IEEE 802.16m to Bring 1Gbps Wireless Transfer Rates

The technology will also be WiMAX and 4G compatible

According to a published draft information on 802.16 standards, the IEEE is currently working on a new wireless standard called 802.16m. The new standard is still more than a year or two away, but according to IEEE documents, the group hopes that 802.16m will be able to deliver 1Gbps transfer rates over the air. In fact, 802.16m is "required" to meet downstream speeds of up to 1Gbps in "nomadic" mode, or high efficiency/strong signal mode. The standard also has a "high mobility" mode which allows for 100Mbps rates.

What gives 802.16m the capability to reach such high speeds is its use of multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) technology. MIMO is currently used in a host of 802.11g and 802.11n routers and access points currently available on the market to speed things up. 54Mbps routers that use MIMO are capable of reaching theoretical speeds up to 108Mbit.sec.

The IEEE committee indicated that while 802.16m is not part of the WiMAX, it promises that there will be cross platform compatibility between the two standards. The new high-speed standard is also slated to be compatible with future 4G wireless networks that will make their way into mobile phones roughly two to three years from now. At that time, 4G will be based on OFDMA standards and abandon current WCDMA and CDMA2000 standards.