Using signal strength detection to place Orbi Satellites FAQ

This document describes how to use Wi-Fi signal strength detection to optimally place Orbi satellites — both their location and the total number deployed. A common mistake is placing more satellites than necessary under the assumption that “the more, the better.” In mesh networking, however, the opposite is often true. Too many Orbi units can create excessive signal overlap, leading to disconnect issues, poor roaming behavior as devices move throughout the house, and general instability. In many mesh environments, deploying fewer units produces better overall performance.

To do this properly, you need a software application that displays real-time Wi-Fi signal strength. There are several free tools available. I use a Mac laptop and walk through the house running one or both of two tools: WiFi Explorer Lite and iAnalyzeWiFi. Both are free and available in the Mac App Store. Comparable tools exist for Windows, likely even more of them.

 

These tools provide a real-time view of all detectable Wi-Fi signals in and around your home. As a side benefit, reviewing signal strength across bands can also reveal excessive channel contention on 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz bands from neighboring networks.

There are two placement strategies depending on whether a satellite (RBS) will use wired (Ethernet) or wireless backhaul.

With wired backhaul, you should place the satellite in the weakest signal area that you can physically reach with Ethernet. Since the backhaul is wired, you do not need strong Wi-Fi at that location. Instead, you are extending strong coverage into a previously weak Wi-Fi signal area of the home.

With wireless backhaul, the strategy is different. You must place the satellite in a strong signal area so that the backhaul connection to the router is fast and reliable. However, you should place it near the outer edge of that strong coverage zone. The goal is to extend strong Wi-Fi into areas that previously had limited coverage while maintaining a robust backhaul link.

In summary, it is inefficient to place a wired-backhaul satellite in a strong signal area, and it is equally inefficient to place a wireless-backhaul satellite in a weak signal area. The key is to do the opposite in each case.

When physically placing router and satellite units, also consider environmental factors. Avoid placing units near large metal appliances, electrical panels, HVAC ductwork, or thick masonry or concrete walls, as these significantly attenuate Wi-Fi signals. Do not place units inside cabinets or behind large objects. Elevating units on open shelves or furniture typically produces better coverage than placing them low to the ground or hidden in enclosures.

Start by powering down all satellites so that only the router (RBR) is active. Walk around and record signal strength throughout the home. Then place the first satellite (RBS) based on the measured signal coming from the router — strong signal if using wireless backhaul, weak signal if wired backhaul is available.

In multi-story homes, also consider vertical coverage. Wi-Fi signals do not only travel horizontally; they pass through floors and ceilings as well. Materials such as reinforced concrete, tile, or radiant floor heating can significantly reduce signal strength between levels. Stairwells often allow better vertical signal propagation. When mapping signal strength, test both directly above and below router and satellite locations to ensure balanced coverage across floors.

After the router and first satellite are powered up, repeat the signal mapping process. Identify remaining weak areas and determine whether those areas truly require stronger coverage. Not every corner of a home needs maximum Wi-Fi strength. This evaluation will determine whether an additional satellite is necessary.

If adding another RBS, try placing it as far as practical from the router or existing satellites. Netgear recommends a minimum separation of 30 feet, but generally, the farther apart they are (while still maintaining adequate backhaul signal), the better.

Using the Mac applications mentioned above, you can view signal strength in RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), which simplifies evaluation. As a general guideline, look for an RSSI of at least –67 dBm or stronger for reliable wireless backhaul. Remember that “stronger” means closer to zero on the number line (for example, –50 dBm is stronger than –67 dBm). In many cases, you can stretch to –70 dBm if necessary, but performance may begin to degrade below that threshold.

Once two satellites are deployed, continue walking through the home measuring signal strength and performing speed tests. Only after this evaluation should you decide whether an additional satellite is objectively necessary.

In addition to laptop testing, validate performance with real-world client devices such as smartphones, tablets, streaming devices, and laptops — especially in the areas where you spend the most time. Different devices have different radio capabilities and antenna designs, so real-world testing ensures that the theoretical signal map translates into practical performance.

 

An additional benefit of these signal analysis tools is the ability to see each Orbi node (RBR and RBS) individually. This allows you to detect excessive overlap. If you observe nearly identical signal strength from two or more Orbi nodes in the same area, it may indicate too much overlap. Significant signal conflict can make it difficult for client devices to roam smoothly between nodes as they move throughout the house. This is something to test as well; ensure that there are no disconnects or poor network performance on a mobile device when walking around the home in your primary paths.

Many users are surprised to discover that they need fewer satellites than they originally expected.

 

Article originated and authored by donawalt​