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Last active March 28, 2023 05:38
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Intel Centrino 6300 Wifi Antenna Configuration & Testing

There are a variety of these Intel Centrino Wifi Adapters on the market, though I couldn't find any useful information as to what the best antenna configuration is. Do I need three antenas? Can I use one antenna? Who knows!

I did a little bit of testing to attempt to determine the answers.

These units are PCIe Half MiniCard with three antenna IPEX MHF1 ports.

The port order is 1 | 3 | 2, usually marked numerically on the PCB and either numerically on the sticker or with little triangles.

Port Triangle Cable Purpose
1 White White MAIN
3 Grey Grey MIMO
2 Black Black AUX

Cards

Test

I took 2,000 samples from /proc/net/wireless with each antenna combination as well as none for a baseline. Using Antenna 1 & 2 scored the highest, but only slightly higher than any other combination. I only have two antennas in the machine I'm testing, so that is what I will be using.

Antenna Combination Level Link Noise
1 & 2 57.72 -52.28 -256
2 Only 55.41 -54.59 -256
3 Only 55.08 -54.92 -256
1 & 3 54.94 -55.06 -256
1 & 2 & 3 54.62 -55.38 -256
2 & 3 54.62 -55.38 -256
1 Only 53.33 -56.67 -256
None 35.90 -74.10 -256

Data collected is available in this spreadsheet: Intel Centrino Wifi Adapter

Level Link

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