Map coverage before installing garden access points. Adjust power, height, and losses for realism quickly. See radius, area, and tips to reduce deadzones outside.
| Scenario | Freq (MHz) | Tx (dBm) | n | Losses (dB) | Radius (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open garden, clear view | 2400 | 20 | 2.4 | 14 | 38.1 |
| Mixed yard, fence + shrubs | 5000 | 20 | 2.9 | 23 | 5.5 |
| Dense vegetation, wet leaves | 2400 | 18 | 3.4 | 32 | 1.7 |
This calculator uses a link-budget approach with a log-distance path loss model. First, it computes free-space path loss at 1 meter:
FSPL(1 m) = -27.56 + 20·log10(fMHz)
Then it estimates the maximum allowable path loss from transmit power, antenna gains, receiver threshold, a simple height correction, and added losses:
PLmax = (Pt + Gt + Gr + Hcorr) − RxThreshold − (Fade + Wall + Vegetation + Misc)
For the log-distance model:
PL(d) = FSPL(1 m) + 10·n·log10(d)
Solving for distance (meters) gives the radius: d = 10^((PLmax − FSPL(1 m)) / (10·n))
In outdoor gardens, radio waves weaken as distance grows and as leaves, soil moisture, and structures absorb energy. Morning dew and wet canopies can reduce signal more than the same layout on a dry day. This calculator models that loss using a path‑loss exponent and extra attenuation for obstacles, helping you estimate a practical coverage radius rather than a perfect‑world circle.
The most influential fields are transmit power, antenna gains, and the receiver threshold of your client device. Frequency matters too: 2.4 GHz generally travels farther through foliage, while 5 GHz often delivers higher speeds at shorter range. A higher fade margin makes the estimate safer for windy foliage and seasonal growth. Obstacle losses let you account for hedges, walls, sheds, and water‑dense plants that can raise attenuation.
The reported radius is the distance where the predicted received level meets your target minimum. Treat it as a planning boundary: good throughput is usually closer than the edge, while basic connectivity may extend slightly beyond in clear line‑of‑sight. If your use case needs stable video or voice, plan for a stronger target level and a smaller radius. Use the feet and meters outputs to match site measurements on site.
For irrigation controllers, cameras, or garden workstations, aim for overlapping cells. Place access points so the useful radius overlaps by 15–30% to reduce dead zones and roaming drops. If you must cross heavy foliage, lower the expected exponent or increase margin, or add a mid‑point node on a pole.
After installation, validate with a phone or laptop at several points and adjust height and orientation. Keep antennas above dense shrubs, avoid metal trellises near the unit, and separate from large water tanks. Choose cleaner channels and consistent bandwidth settings, then retest. Recheck after rain or new plantings, and update inputs to keep your radius estimate aligned with reality.
No. The edge value is a threshold for connectivity. Throughput typically drops sooner due to interference, client antenna limits, and retries. For streaming or cameras, design for a stronger target level than basic browsing.
2.4 GHz usually reaches farther through foliage and around obstacles. 5 GHz can be faster but often needs shorter links and clearer paths. Use the band selector as a planning hint, then test at key garden locations.
Start with 10–15 dB for typical outdoor variability. Increase it if trees sway, leaves grow dense in summer, or rain is frequent. A larger margin reduces the predicted radius but improves reliability at the edge.
Add losses for anything between the router and the client: walls, sheds, dense hedges, or metal fencing. If you are unsure, use a moderate value first and compare the prediction to a quick signal test, then refine.
Higher placement can clear shrubs, fences, and garden structures, improving line‑of‑sight and lowering effective loss. Small height increases can noticeably expand useful radius, especially when the link was partially blocked.
Use the radius as a cell size. Space nodes so their usable areas overlap by about 15–30% along paths and work zones. If one hop must cross heavy foliage, add an intermediate node on a post or building corner.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.