What does the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) measure?

The Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) specifically measures the strength of the received radio signal from a wireless device, often expressed in dBm (decibels relative to one milliwatt). This measurement is crucial because it provides information about how well a wireless device can communicate with a network. A stronger RSSI generally indicates a better signal quality, which can lead to improved connectivity and performance.

In contrast, network bandwidth pertains to the maximum data transfer capacity of a network, which is not directly related to the strength of an individual signal. Data packet loss refers to the percentage of packets that are sent but not received correctly, a measure of the reliability of a connection rather than its signal strength. Latency levels describe the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another, unrelated to the signal strength received. Therefore, the correct understanding of RSSI as a measure of signal strength gives it a unique and critical role in assessing wireless network performance.