The iPhone can be used to measure the signal strength of WiFi. You can use the built-in program "AirPort Utility" or a third party app. To use the built-in program, you have to go to settings > AirPort Utility, and cut on the WiFi Scanner. Now, when you open the Airport Utility, "WiFi Scan" will appear in blue at the top right corner. Click on it, and the scan will begin. When you finish, do not forget to go back to settings and cut off the wifi scanner. This feature is not enabled by default because it consumes power.
The Received Signal Stength Indicator (RSSI) is in negative decibels-milliwatt (dbm). The lower the number, the better the signal strength.
| -30 dbm | ideal |
| -40 dbm | At the access point/router |
| -50 dbm | Excellent |
| -60 dbm | Good Reliable Strenght |
| -67 dbm | Mininum for VoIP / Streaming |
| -70 dbm | Sufficient for email and Web |
| -80 dbm | Mininum to make a Connection - Unreliable |
| -90 dbm | Unlikely to Connect |
| 2.4 GHz | between 450 - 600 Mbps |
| 5 GHz | up to 1300 Mbps |
| 5.925-7.125 GHz | WiFi 6E |
The 2.4 GHz band will support speeds between 450 Mbps and 600 Mbps.
The 5 Ghz band will support speeds up to 1300 Mbps.
| Common Name | IEEE Standard | Band(s) |
| Wi-Fi 1 | 802.11b | 2.4 GHz |
| Wi-Fi 2 | 802.11a | 5 GHz |
| Wi-Fi 3 | 802.11g | 5 GHz |
| Wi-Fi 4 | 802.11n | 2.4 & 5 GHz |
| Wi-Fi 5 | 802.11ac | 5 GHz |
| Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11ax | 2.4 & 5 GHz |
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) is compatible with older generations of WiFi i.e. WiFi a/b/g/n.
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) uses both the low band 2.4 GHz and the high band 5 GHz. Wi-Fi 6 is
theroically compatible with legency devices.
The Raspberry Pi 4B is Wi-Fi 5 (8011.ac) Compiant. It has both 2.4 & 5 GHz radios.
According to what I have read on the Internet, you cannot ssh into an Apple Router:
© Copyright Dr. Ray Franco, PhD, PE | 2006-2022. All rights reserved.
