wifi connect options

[fiveworlds]

I am taking the bus for the umpteenth time this month and as usual there is tons of WiFi signals in the bus station. Given that I really only want to connect to the WiFi on the bus I am in is it possible to list WiFi connections relative to their distance from me?

[Sensei]

Android or iOS?

 

Typically WiFi are sorted by their strength of signal.

Device most likely does not know what is their distance to router.

Strong signal typically means very close router.

(in the case of computer routers we can ping them, and measure time needed to receive reply from them, the closer they are the less time required to get reply)

 

If you have Android device, and Android Studio installed,

here is API for it.

http://developer.android.com/reference/android/net/wifi/WifiManager.html

 

public List<ScanResult> getScanResults ()

Return the results of the latest access point scan.

 

Look at ScanResult definition:

http://developer.android.com/reference/android/net/wifi/ScanResult.html

 

As you can see there is no such thing like 'distance'.

But if we scan at time t+0, and signal to some wifi is weak, and scan at time t+1, and it's stronger, and scan at time t+2, and it's full power, we were approaching router, the most likely.

And reverse with dropping signal level with time.

Edited December 11, 2015 by Sensei

[MigL]

Not necessarily Sensei.

Pinging a slower, close router will result in a longer time than a farther, but faster router.

But you're right, it is quickly sorted out once you ( the bus ) start moving.

[fiveworlds]

But you're right, it is quickly sorted out once you ( the bus ) start moving.

 

Yeah but the problem was I wanted to connect to my bus while it is in the station. It is a pain because I have to connect then go to my browser and login as a frequent bus user to get access.

 

If you have Android device, and Android Studio installed

 

Yeah I have an android tablet (KitKat 4.4.2) which I mentioned my brother got me for my birthday. I installed android studio because I had to use android debug bridge to install apks directly to my external SD card (can't understand why it doesn't do so automatically). I was wondering though about your idea wouldn't most WiFi signals be transmitted at the maximum permissible level anyway unless they were damaged? I know my tablet tell me they are all at maximum but I suppose there is only the 4 bar icon to tell me which is which and they are all called bus.

[Sensei]

I installed android studio because I had to use android debug bridge to install apks directly to my external SD card (can't understand why it doesn't do so automatically).

 

That's not needed. I am uploading APK to my FTP. And in browser in mobile going to URL, and downloading APK.

I was also sending APK in mail and worked fine. But better compress it to archive. Then on mobile decompress archive. And pick up APK in file browser, and it'll be installed.

 

It's easy to write your own FTP on mobile. Then go to from computer connected in LAN even by local IP address.

In v5.0+ in Information About Device > State > there is info what is its local LAN IP address of mobile phone. In my case it's 192.168.1.20

There is also MAC address.

 

I was wondering though about your idea wouldn't most WiFi signals be transmitted at the maximum permissible level anyway unless they were damaged?

 

Lower signal means further distance (typically radio signal drops inverse square law), or there are obstacles.

But on station, there is no serious obstacles for signal.

 

I know my tablet tell me they are all at maximum but I suppose there is only the 4 bar icon to tell me which is which and they are all called bus.

 

Ah, If they are all at maximum, and you're on the station waiting for bus to go, these additional one are from other buses around you..

Edited December 11, 2015 by Sensei

[Bill Angel]

There might be a simpler way to solve your wifi connection problem. I have an android cellphone and an android tablet. I can configure my android cellphone to be a wifi hotspot, and connect my tablet to my cell phone via wifi. My cellphone's carrier (t-mobile) provides the data link.