topic Re: How does mobile device choose which radio frequency to connect? in Wireless

How does mobile device choose which radio frequency to connect?

Tats0611 — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 19:42:16 GMT

Hi,

I have WLC + Lightweight APs running in my office which has one single SSID for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz spectrum.

My laptop's wireless adapter supports up to 802.11ac.

I would like to know how my Windows laptop choose which radio frequency's SSID to connect if both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz are enabled on an AP.

Will Windows computer tries to connect to whatever sends the strongest signal to the computer?

Re: How does mobile device choose which radio frequency to connect?

Flavio Miranda — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 15:21:25 GMT

Each Wireless Adapter vendor has its own algorithm in order for to choose proper radio. Ultimately, most of vendor users basically RSSI as primary parameter.

Re: How does mobile device choose which radio frequency to connect?

Tats0611 — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 15:23:44 GMT

Thanks Flavio,

I see. ok I think I will check my laptop's driver then. Thank you very much.

Regards,

Tatsuya

Re: How does mobile device choose which radio frequency to connect?

tottenavl — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 15:42:51 GMT

For windows devices you can also change some settings that can influence the band. On some devices you can leverage the "preferred band" setting which is found in the wireless adapter settings. See image attached.

Re: How does mobile device choose which radio frequency to connect?

Rich R — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 13:01:44 GMT

Yes I set the Preferred Band to 5Ghz whenever that setting is available.