Why is an RF Survey required

Wireless networks are evolving rapidly from a “nice to have” overlay network to an additional method to deliver core network services and applications that can benefit from mobility.

To maximise any return on investment we understand that any wireless network must be able to:

• Deliver quantifiable business/operational benefits to the customer
• Scale with the business and application requirements
• Deliver applications without performance impacts for the user

Planning

The design and the time taken to understand the usage of any potential wireless network is probably the single most important factor in the success or failure to deliver true business benefits.

Our approach to RF Surveys is to:

Understand the business drivers for a wireless network
Define the applications, services and technical requirements for successful delivery of them in a mobile environment
Define the coverage and capacity required of the network
Undertake an RF survey with key deliverables and clear scope identified from planning

Our Methodology

Our engineers undertake RF Surveys using a mixture of RF planning & survey tools, combined with practical knowledge gained, delivering many successful radio networks. For a successful wireless network there is no substitute to physically deploying test equipment and mapping coverage in a live environment.

We employ RF modeling during the planning stage but will always quantify any modeling with physical testing during the RF Survey. The output of the RF Survey will include:

• Physical location and mounting requirements of all equipment
• RF coverage “heat” maps of all required areas
• Line of sight plots for external links
• Throughput tests where relevant
• Pre-installation requirements for both the customer and installation team
• Cabling and power requirements
• Equipment list

RF Propagation Mapping and RF throughput Mapping

See image from PDF

RF Surveys undertaken

• Indoor WLAN Surveys
• Voice over Wireless LAN Planning
• Outdoor Point to Point Surveys
• Metropolitan Wireless Surveys
• Licensed Microwave Surveys