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stillnousername

12 Posts

38515

November 4th, 2004 03:00

Mini- Pci WIFI card question

Hi,
On a mini-pci wifi, example Dell trueMobile 1450, there are two sockets thats called "Main" and "Aux". I was wondering are they all antennas? Can someone explain to me what each of them are for? Thanks.

NemesisDB

2 Intern

 • 

7.9K Posts

November 4th, 2004 05:00

I've never seen an actual dell mPCI wifi card but that would make sense.  Most 2.4ghz wireless products use two antennas and diversity mode to select the best signal (with only one antenna active at a time).

Many of the dell laptops that support mPCI cards will also have built in antenna wires which can be connected to screws on the mPCI cards -- so, if the 'main' and 'aux' are by screws on the card, it's a good bet that's what they're for

johnallg

7.3K Posts

November 4th, 2004 13:00

They are both antenna connections - if you have one antenna hook it to the MAIN one and look in the driver Advanced tab and choose the correct antenna or disable diversity, depends on the driver.  If you have two antennas, hook them both up and the card/software will look at both and use the better signal dynamically.

stillnousername

12 Posts

November 4th, 2004 14:00

hi,
thank you all for your reply.
 The "Main" and "Aux", which one is the 802.11 B/G mode and which one is the 802.11 A mode? 
  thanks.

NemesisDB

2 Intern

 • 

7.9K Posts

November 4th, 2004 15:00

I've never used a tri-mode card but I'd assume they can't run B/G and A at the same time.  Regardless, the same antenna(s) will be used by the card for all of the modes.
 
Heh, although I suppose if you wanted to bridge an 80211.g and 802.11a network it might be nice to have a card that could do both concurrently :smileywink:

idyot

58 Posts

November 4th, 2004 15:00

Go to this page.
Scroll down to section: 6.(v) Upgrading/ installing a mini-PCI card and Wireless Security issues
 
There is a black antenna lead and a white antenna lead. The pictures show which lead connects to which terminal AND the proper placement of the antenna leads (underneath the card).
 
With the TM 1450 there is an additional shielded area in the top left corner of the card that blocks the path of the antenna leads. If the antenna leads are placed over the shielded area then they will press against the shielding when you reinstall the cover and tighten the screw. This could cause problems when the card heats up.
 
 

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