Site surveys by Quant ICT

Wireless technology is becoming more important each day.
Users are expecting flawless connectivity with their preferred device.
It has become a ‘commodity’.

In order to ensure a good user experience, the wireless network needs to be available where needed and needs to comply to specific quality standards.

A wireless site survey is a must have service to ensure a functional wireless network. It is used to determine the needed infrastructure, validate the environment before deployment and ensures the correct functioning after a deployment.

If done well, it will be the base of a properly functioning connectivity solution, which helps to guarantee the user experience and overall business.

Typically a wireless design will take the following requirements into account

  • Coverage – where are the users expecting connectivity, with special attention to the roaming areas’
  • Where are the users moving around while being connected
  • Capacity requirement
    • How many users will be connected per area
    • What applications are they using (simultaneously)

Site Survey types

There are different types of site surveys as described below. Each one has its specific use case and purpose and will always result in a survey report.

Predictive Pre-Install Survey

The Predictive WLAN design phase is based on RF modelling. An offsite design – simulation - will be performed with our Design software (Ekahau), based on floor plans and specifications from the RFI document in combination with our WLAN field experience. The main purpose of a predictive survey is to determine the number, type and approximate location of the access points. Based on floor plans and parameters, specified in the RFI document a simulation will be made by means of the Ekahau Wi-Fi Design software. In the predictive survey report, the following info will be included:

  • A kitlist with number and type of access points, antennas, mounting materials and other required infrastructure
  • An overview of the requested coverage areas with their rf and capacity requirements
  • Area details with simulated:
    • Signal strength
    • Roaming path
    • Signal to noise ratio
    • Co-Channel (WiFi) interference
    • Airtime utilization

Onsite Pre-Install Survey

The onsite pre-install WLAN RF Design phase is based on a Hybrid Design method.

The building infrastructure RF attenuation will be measured with the onsite live “AP on a Stick” method. Combined with Ekahau RF modelling data this result towards the requested Wi-Fi requirements and “use case.”

An onsite pre-install survey is also performed to determine the number and type of the access points. However, the proposed locations will be more accurate as the building characteristics and attenuations will be measured and validated onsite. It will also be possible to provide precise information (picture) of the mounting of the access points as well as to take into consideration future or existing cabling.

Finally it will also be possible to determine any existing RF interference (at the time of the survey) with the spectrum analyser.

In the onsite survey report, the following info will be included:

  • A kitlist with number and type of access points, antennas, moulting materials and other required infrastructure.
  • Mounting instructions per access point with picture of the mounting point.
  • An overview of the requested coverage areas with their rf and capacity requirements.
  • Area details with:
    • Signal strength
    • Roaming path
    • Signal to noise ratio
    • Co-Channel (WiFi) interference
    • Non-WiFi interference
    • Airtime utilization
    • Channel utilization
  • An overview of neighbouring - possible interfering – access points.

Onsite Post-Install - Validation Survey

What both previous pre-install scenarios do not ensure is how the WLAN infrastructure will configure the overall RF parameters (i.e. Automatic Radio Algorithms) when all access points are installed and active.

In the important validation phase, the correct functioning - installation and configuration of the access points - will be validated. Consider the “Validation Survey” as an RF fine-tuning phase for the optimal performance and a baseline analysis of the WLAN infrastructure.

At the start of a project, a predictive or pre-install onsite survey can be chosen, based on specific requirements.

At the delivery, it is always advised to perform a validation survey, in addition to one of the pre-install surveys.

With the validation survey the correct functioning of the wireless network, as defined in the RFI document, will be verified with onsite real-time measurements. Any existing RF interference (at the time of the survey) will be measured with the spectrum analyser and included in the report.

It can be a part of a complete or partial network audit (to be described in later business case).

The validation survey can also be useful / required in a troubleshooting session.

In the onsite survey report, the following info will be included:

  • An overview of the requested coverage areas with their rf and capacity requirements.
  • Area details with:
    • Signal strength
    • Roaming path
    • Signal to noise ratio
    • Co-Channel (WiFi) interference
    • Non-WiFi interference
    • Airtime utilization
    • Channel utilization
  • An overview of neighbouring - possible interfering – access points.
  • If applicable the results of test scenarios - calls, roaming tests, etc – will be included.
  • Recommendations on configuration or placement where needed.

Interested in a Site Survey ?

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