The suggested number of pods is based on the size and layout of your home. Additional pods can be added to your network as needed to improve coverage.
| Small homes (1 bedroom) | 1 well placed pod should be able to cover a home this size. |
| Medium-sized homes (2 to 3 bedrooms) | The standard 3 pack should be able to cover a home this size. |
| Large homes (4+ bedrooms) | For larger homes, additional pods may be needed to help fill holes in coverage |
Note: Although the Smartband+Internet packages include up to 3 Plume pods, depending on the size of your home less than 3 may be installed. If there are too many pods on the network it may cause excessive interference. Proper placement should be considered instead of adding more pods.
Spacing
Correct pod spacing is the key to providing good WiFi coverage. In addition to the range of the pods, location and obstructions must be considered. Maintaining a "Line of Sight" between pods improves the signal strength, meaning the pods can be placed further apart.
- Avoid placing pods behind furniture.
- Do not place pods too close to appliances.
- Avoid placing pods behind electronics. (As well as acting as obstructions, they may increase interference. If possible, place pods at least 4’ (1.2m) away from electronics.)
- Do not place pods in bathrooms, pods are NOT waterproof. (Mirrors and fixtures also act as obstructions)
- When possible, place the pods using the 90° Rule
With the correct placement of pods obstructions can be avoided. Use the pods to send the signal around objects instead of going through them:
What is the 90° Rule?
If WiFi signals must travel through an obstruction, such as a wall or floor, the shortest distance will cause the least amount of signal loss. The shortest path is usually perpendicular (90° angle).
The diagram above shown gives an example of how placement affects the signal where Pod 1, at the bottom right, must communicate with other pods through an obstruction.
- The shortest distance signal that must travel through the obstruction between pods is from Pod 1 to Pod 2, through the obstruction at 90°.
- From Pod 1 to Pod 3, a small increase is seen in how far the signal must travel through the obstruction. Moving Pod 3 further from Pod 2 increases the distance that the signal must travel through the obstruction.
- Even though it is the closest pod to Pod 1, signals to Pod 4 have the furthest to travel through the obstruction. This pod will likely have the weakest signal to Pod 1.
Because Line of sight is difficult to maintain when connecting pods between floors in multi-level homes, it is important to take both the placement angle and ceiling height into account when considering the distance between pods.
Reminder! The pods work best when they can see each other. If there are obstructions, such as walls and furniture, that block the "Line of Sight" the pod's range is effectively cut in half.
Adding Gateway pods
WiFi connected pods require an overlap in coverage with the Gateway in order to remain connected to the network. Adding additional Gateway pods can reduce the number of pods needing WiFi connections as well as improve coverage. Please call 931-648-8151 for detailed billing information if you would like to add additional gateways to your network.
Question not listed here?
Contact CDE Technical Support at 931-648-8151