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RF Spectrum Analyzer for Wireless Site Surveys

December 2, 2010 By TPI

One of the many tools we use for our professional wireless site surveys is an RF Spectrum Analyzer.  Why?  Since wireless networks operate in unlicensed frequencies, potential interference from numerous devices such as microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, video cameras, etc. can have a significant negative impact.

Spectrum-Analyzer.jpgRF spectrum analyzers are the only devices that can identify physical-layer (OSI Layer 1) interference, allowing network engineers to analyze, diagnose, and locate the sources.  If you skip this step, there’s no doubt that you will experience wireless network issues.   Most of the off-the-shelf WLAN management tools can only measure OSI Layer 2-7 and do not measure or analyze RF interference problems.

In the hands of an experienced network engineer, a spectrum analyzer can identify WiFi interference, measure the effects of RF interference on specific channels of a network, and identify the type and location of sources of interference.  In addition to detection, they can apply classification signatures that quickly identify the type of interferer present, provide full OSI Layer 1 interference mapping to help determine which frequency bands are clear.  Because it was designed for use in a shared spectrum, 802.11 technology checks to see if the airwaves are sufficiently clear before transmitting messages.  This means that if the airwaves are crowded with other radio signals, an 802.11 device may have trouble communicating resulting in slow network performance and dropped connections.  Intentional or non-intentional RF jammers and certain types of video cameras can completely prevent WLANs from communicating.

So if you’re shopping for a wireless site survey, make sure you compare apples-to-apples:

  • Experienced network engineers
  • Predictive modeling
  • RF Spectrum Analysis
  • Complete reporting including access point locations with pictures, heat maps, BOM’s, etc.

Because wireless networks operate in unlicensed frequencies, potential interference from numerous devices such as microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, video cameras, etc. can have a significant negative impact. RF spectrum analyzers are the only devices that can identify physical-layer (OSI Layer 1) interference, allowing network engineers to analyze, diagnose, and locate the sources and no onsite wireless site survey is complete without this service.  Most WLAN management tools can only measure OSI Layer 2-7 and do not measure or analyze RF interference problems.

Without a spectrum analyzer, a consultant might report that performance is slow, but cannot report that slow performance is caused by WiFi interference, measure the effects of RF interference on specific channels of a network, or identify the type and location of sources of interference.

Our tools can not only detect interference but apply classification signatures that quickly identify the type of interferer present.  We can also provide full OSI Layer 1 interference mapping to help determine which frequency bands are clear before implementing a solution such as video monitoring.

Because it was designed for use in a shared spectrum, 802.11 technology checks to see if the airwaves are sufficiently clear before transmitting messages. This means that if the airwaves are crowded with other radio signals, an 802.11 device may have trouble communicating, resulting in slow network performance and dropped connections.  Intentional or non-intentional RF jammers and certain types of video cameras can completely prevent WLANs from communicating.

Filed Under: Wireless Site Surveys Tagged With: RF spectrum analyzer, Wireless site survey

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