Cites used for background research:

• Top 12 Materials that Block WiFi Signals
• https://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm#:~:text=a%20Wireless%20Network-,What%20Is%20WiFi%3F,phones%2C%20televisions%20and%20radios%20do.&text=A%20computer's%20wireless%20adapter%20translates,the%20signal%20and%20decodes%20it.
• How to measure signal strength in Decibels on your cell phone?
• https://www.howtogeek.com/426642/how-to-check-your-wi-fi-signal-strength/#:~:text=Just%20go%20to%20your%20iPhone,dBm%20measurements%20expressed%20as%20RSSI.
• https://www.signalbooster.com/pages/db-dbm-differences-in-relation-to-cellular-signal-boosters#:~:text=dBm%20is%20an%20abbreviation%20for,power%20referenced%20to%20one%20milliwatt.&text=It%20is%20an%20abbreviation%20for,measuring%20the%20outside%20signal%20strength.
• https://www.xfinity.com/hub/internet/internet-speed#:~:text=The%20speed%20of%20this%20data,kilobits%20per%20second%20(Kbps).
• https://www.allconnect.com/blog/internet-speed-classifications-what-is-fast-internet#:~:text=A%20good%20internet%20speed%20is,web%20browsing%20and%20downloading%20music.

In this experiment, I will cover the router with a physical obstruction made of a specific material, and then measure the strength, speed, and ping from 12 and 24 feet away (horizontally), and 12 feet across and 12 feet above. The materials of the obstructions are wood, a thin metal, a thicker metal, glass, porcelain, drywall, foam, fabric (made of cotton), cardboard, and plastic. A test of the ping, speed and strength without any obstructions will be conducted as well.

A. MATERIALS:

• Router (Mine was a Motorola, Model: MG7550)
• Device with apps iWifi (to measure WiFi speed and ping) and Airport Utility (to measure WiFi strength)
• Tape measure
• Wooden boxes
• Metal tin box
• Metal pot
• Glass cylinder
• Box made of porcelain tiles
• Box made of drywall
• Foam box
• Rug (made of cotton fabric)
• Cardboard box
• Plastic bin

B. PROCEDURE:

Step 1: Gather all materials needed for the experiment.

Step 2: Place the router in the desired position and use a tape measure to find where you will be 12 feet across from, 24 feet across from, and 12 feet across and above from the router.

Step 3: Once you have your router and positions determined, prepare your physical obstructions to cover the router.

Step 4: Place the obstruction over the router and move to the determined location 12 feet away. Be sure to act carefully and not harm yourself when placing and moving the objects.

Step 5: Measure the ping, speed, and strength using the apps iWifi and Airport Utility. Using iWifi, select the network you want to measure and go on the speed section. Press start to measure the ping, the download speed, and the upload speed. When going on Airport Utility press the Wi-Fi Scan option and press scan. On the scan option it will then display multiple networks nearby and the information regarding them, which contains the strength (dbm).

Step 6: Repeat step 5 three times.

Step 7: Next, move to the position 24 feet away from the router. 

Step 8: Repeat step 5 three times again to determine the ping, speed, and strength from a distance of 24 feet.

Step 9: Move to the position located 12 feet from and 12 feet above the router.

Step 10: Once more, repeat step 5 three times to determine the ping, speed, and strength of the WiFi.

Step 11: Remove the obstruction off the router and prepare the next type of material to be tested.

Step 12: Repeat steps 4-11 until all types of obstacles have been tested and completed.

The data collected will be analyzed and compared to see the effects. Conclusions will drawn from the analysis.