Attenuation, Signal Strength

We all know light cannot pass through a wall.

So, this is a bit non-intuitive. Radio signals, which are also rf waves like light, can pass through an interior wall, or even an exterior stone or brick wall.

The physics of whether or not the signal can pass-through is based on the wavelength of the signal and the composition of the barrier.

Most solid objects at an atomic level are actually empty space, which allows long wavelengths to pass through a wall with some attenuation or absorption.

Some of the rf signal will collide or be reflected by an atomic particle, but much of the signal will pass-through. The amount absorbed by the wall corresponds to the attenuation of the signal.

Short wavelengths like light are more likely to collide with an atomic particle. Lower frequency signals correspond to longer wavelengths. The longer the wavelength, the more likely it is to pass through the wall.

802.11b, g or n can all broadcast at 2.4 GHz.

802.11b, g and n using 2.4GHz have a wavelength = 12.5 centimeters or 4.92 inches

802.11ac broadcasts at 5GHz.

802.11ac has a wavelength = 5.99 centimeters or 2.36 inches

Shorter wavelengths will be more attenuated by walls and other barriers.

[Light has a wavelength of 0.0005 centimeters]

DRAFT - make the text below make more sense or move elsewhere

In most cases, you should be able to shut off 2 of the three. I use 2.4GHz 802.11g for my Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi is a collision sense/collision avoidance system. So, a device will check its frequency to see if another device is broadcasting, and it will back off and wait until its channel is free. If all the bands are enabled, then the AP will check each band and each protocol until it communicates with your blinds.

Most ISPs install Wi-Fi using default settings. So, for example, AT&T U-Verse and Spectrum both install all Wi-Fi on channel 1. If you have a lot of near neighbors, then all of your devices and your neighbors' devices are waiting for that channel to free before transmitting. On an android phone download the wifi analyzer app and check if your channel is overloaded. On an iPhone, use the airport utility and scan the channels. For 802.11g, use channel 1, 6 or 11.

Congestion occurs when there are many devices waiting to broadcast or there is too much traffic for the port over which the traffic is riding.

802.11 defines the protocol for the rf signal. On top of that rides, another protocol, usually, udp or tcp/ip. It is unlikely that one out of four commands is getting through. tcp will retransmit until the packet gets through; udp will sned one time and then stop. What is more likely is udp is being used and if there is congestion, then the packet containing the command is just dropped.