This is my first post, I’m happy to join this great community.
I wonder how it’s possible that a 4dBi antenna can have the same Receive Sensitivity than a 12dBi antenna.
In my understanding (which seems to be wrong), a higher gain antenna should have a better sensitivity (assuming they have similar rf input amplifiers - which might be wrong but probably not to a 8dBm extent - and even, the mAntBox should have a better input amplifier if any different).
Receive sensitivity data reflects not so much the efficiency of the antenna, but rather depends on the receiver's internal low-noise amplifier.
The measurement technique itself (requiring a stable signal sufficient for data transmission) assumes that the received signal level is significantly higher than the receiver's minimum sensitivity threshold.
That is exactly the point : it seems weird to me that the internal low-noise amplifier of an entry-level product brings 8dB more gain than a high-end pro-grade device’s internal amplifier.
It is difficult to compare these two devices in terms of WiFi functionality for "entry-level" and "high-end pro-grade".
Just compare by spec:
In the 2.4GHz sector, hAP ax2 has a more powerful SoC (QCN-5022 vs QCN-5010) than the NetMetal ax.
At 5GHz - hAP ax2 is better (QCN-5052 vs QCN6102), but NetMetal consumes less power
Regarding the CPU, the hAP ax2 is much better than the NetMetal ax (IPQ-6010 vs IPQ-5010).
So, I`m not sure which are “entry-level” and “high-end pro-grade”.
… and the purpose of these devices is completely different.
As for the noted WiFi data, I think it is given to show some basic compliance with standards, rather than the real performance/sensitivity.
Rx sensitivity data is about WiFi chip. Also signal strengths will be reported as levels on chip entry, it doesn't take antenna gain into account.
A strong signal, received with a side of antenna (where gain is likely negative), will translate into similarly decent signal as a weaker signal received with center of antenna (with highest gain), measured (and hopefully used) by Rx part of WiFi chip.
Yes that’s also what the Mikrotik support kindly answered : “Receive Sensitivty” is the Wifi chip alone (without antenna). Now things are crystal clear.
