Idea to boost wifi signal of Rpi zero 2 W with MK3S+
Hi everyone,
I'm currently trying to boost the signal of our eleven MK3S+ that are all stacked together on a wall. They use the Rpi zero 2 W configuration as per Prusa installation guide. I saw that there is a lot of interference going on the fact that the Rpi is too close to the Mk3S+ board. I should also mention that every printers use the latest firmware and the PIs run the latest Prusalink version.
I can't modify the router placement (the signal from the router is good to where the printers are), I can't move the printers, My only way to get access to internet is via wifi..., I can't add a wifi extender etc... our wifi isn't controlled by us and can't be modified.
What would be ideal for our setup is getting something like an antenna that I can plug via usb to every PIs. That way I could move all the antenna away from the crowded printers.
Has anybody came across such a way to add an antenna to the PIs without having to modify the circuit board?
We were even thinking about using a switch feeded by a router getting the wifi signal and then transmitting via ethernet to every printers... but even this setup will probably not work with our wifi restrictions.
Thanks!
RE: Idea to boost wifi signal of Rpi zero 2 W with MK3S+
If you do a search for adding an antenna to a pi there are a lot of articles out there, but it involves soldering. You might need to adapt slightly to add a length of co-ax to move the antenna further away.
There are also usb wifi dongles that you might be able use, with a usb extension being a lot easier than soldering on an antenna to a pi
RE: Idea to boost wifi signal of Rpi zero 2 W with MK3S+
Yep, I definitely came across some way to solder directly on the PI, Can't really go that way for the moment.
I found some model of antenna that use USB connection but can't find where it state that those model works with the PIs. They mainly show that this is used with computers.
I'm asking if someone already tested and found one that is working fine with Prusalink and the PIs since that would saves me a lot of time. The testing part on my side is really time consuming if I can put it this way.
RE: Idea to boost wifi signal of Rpi zero 2 W with MK3S+
move rpi away from the printer base board and metal parts so that devices and line to the wifi device is not obstructed, if possible, mount it on some attachments to the size or the top of the frame, so you probably need much more usb cables 😉
you can also try to experiment with some rpi rotations to see when it performs better.
Also, any water pipes or microwave devices block or literally kill wifi signal in 2.4 range, so you my try to change wifi channels - usually ends with talking with wifi owners about it.
See my GitHub and printables.com for some 3d stuff that you may like.
RE: Idea to boost wifi signal of Rpi zero 2 W with MK3S+
I tried to make a shield spacer for the raspi. It worked, but I feared that it would not work for 100% of the users and adding metal so close to the pins that carry data did not feel safe. It's just aluminum foil sandwiched between two plastic parts, with features that would cut the foil around all the pins except ground
The hill on the bottom was an attempt to bend the foil to touch the ground on the HDMI port as well, for added grounding redundancy if the ground pin connection had failed. (This is the bottom part of the alu foil sandwich)
If anyone wants to have a go at it, I have the cad model and can give it away with its limitations. I reckon another few hours of work would be required to get it to a functional state without the second ground idea incorporated.
I basically tripled the wi-fi speed with just this. It's less work than the external antenna, which would probably be more ideal
Let me know your thoughts
RE: Idea to boost wifi signal of Rpi zero 2 W with MK3S+
I would love to give it a try. That fits in the type of modifications I'm allowed to do in a short period of time 🙂 If you are willing to give away the cad model I'm interested!
Thank you!
RE: Idea to boost wifi signal of Rpi zero 2 W with MK3S+
Will look into it, No promisses on the time frame. If anyone else wants it. just like the post so i know if there's more of you waiting. Thanks