What can be done to increase the coverage area of a wireless local area network (WLAN)?

Increasing the coverage area of a wireless local area network (WLAN) can effectively be achieved by enhancing the transmission power and utilizing parabolic antennas. Parabolic antennas focus the radio signal in a specific direction, allowing for greater range and signal strength compared to more common omnidirectional antennas, which disperse the signal in all directions. This focused beam enables the WLAN to cover larger distances and penetrate obstacles more effectively, which is particularly beneficial in environments with physical barriers.

Additionally, increasing the transmission power allows the signal to travel further, overcoming issues such as interference and signal attenuation. However, it is important to note that increases in power must conform to regulatory limits to avoid interference with other devices.

In contrast, options like decreasing the number of access points would likely reduce the coverage area by limiting the network's ability to serve a wider area. Choosing to operate only on the 5 GHz band, while offering higher performance, typically results in reduced coverage due to its shorter range compared to the 2.4 GHz band. Lastly, repositioning devices closer together may improve connectivity within a limited area but would not effectively increase the overall coverage of the WLAN, which is needed for broader access across a larger space.