How to estimate the wireless communication distance?

Step 1: Specify the maximum open area distance (Dmax)

For our B3 baby monitor, the maximum open range is: Dmax = 3000 ft

Step 2: Calculate the total attenuation due to obstacles

Different materials reduce the signal strength by different amounts. Use the table below to find the Attenuation Factor (AF) for obstacles between the camera and the monitor.

Note: Wood attenuates the signal less than brick or concrete. Metal causes the highest attenuation and interference.

Step 3: Evaluate the actual wireless communication distance

The actual range (D) is equal to the maximum open distance (Dmax) divided by the Total Attenuation Factor (TAF).

D = 3000 / TAF

Calculation Examples:

• Scenario 1: Living room to bedroom (2 plaster walls + 1 glass door)
  Calculation: 3000 / 4 / 4 / 2 = 93.75 ft
  ✔ This is sufficient for most family use cases.
• Scenario 2: Master bedroom to baby's room (2 plaster walls + 1 concrete wall)
  Calculation: 3000 / 4 / 4 / 16 ≈ 11.7 ft
  ✘ This range is likely too short for this use case.
• Scenario 3: Yard to baby's room (1 plaster wall + 1 concrete wall)
  Calculation: 3000 / 4 / 16 ≈ 47 ft
  ⚠ This range is borderline and might be unstable.
• Scenario 4: Yard to baby's room (1 plaster wall + 1 glass window)
  Calculation: 3000 / 4 / 2 = 375 ft
  ✔ This is a good setup for this use case.

*Note: If a glass window is embedded in a brick wall, the actual distance will be somewhere between the result for glass and the result for a brick wall.