Designing a reliable wireless network is not a one-step task. It is a process. From understanding the physical environment to validating performance and ensuring long-term reliability, we offer survey services that support key points throughout the lifecycle. This page walks you through each phase and shows how our services align with them.
It is a comprehensive evaluation conducted prior to the deployment or major upgrade of a wireless network. Its primary purpose is to gather crucial data and insights about the physical environment where the network will be installed.
This survey can involve:
– On-Site Analysis: Assessing the physical layout and construction materials based on an existing floor plan. If no floor plan exists, creating one may be part of the survey.
– Access Point Planning: Identifying optimal locations for new access point deployments on-site.
– Interference and Coverage Analysis: Evaluating existing interference sources and any current coverage issues.
– User Requirements: Collecting data on user needs regarding coverage and capacity.
The tasks and steps involved in a Pre-Design Survey are primarily dictated by the client’s requirements and the quality and availability of existing data. As a result, the scope of work and associated costs may vary on a case-by-case basis.
Also known as: Wireless Design, Desk-Based Site Survey (DBSS)
It is an off-site, 3D computer simulation used to design a wireless network. Instead of relying on a physical site visit, this approach uses available documentation to model the environment, accounting for factors such as walls, columns, racks, shelves, equipment, and interfering signals.
The final plan includes:
– The number, type, placement, and configuration of access points and antennas
– Deployment instructions
– Predicted coverage and network capacity levels
Also known as: Design Validation Survey, AP On a Stick Survey (APoS)
It is an on-site evaluation conducted to test the wireless design within the actual physical environment, prior to equipment procurement and installation. Its primary goal is to validate or challenge the predictive design and help avoid unnecessary costs caused by design inaccuracies.
During an APoS survey, an access point is mounted on a tripod and powered by a portable battery, without connecting to the client’s infrastructure. The AP (and antenna) of the planned type and configuration is positioned at its intended location, and RF measurements are taken throughout and beyond its coverage area. The equipment is then moved to the next AP location, and the process is repeated.
This type of survey is strongly recommended for complex environments, such as warehouses with mezzanines, cages, large machinery, or frequently changing inventory, where predictive modeling alone may be insufficient. It requires at least one unit of each AP and antenna specified in the design.
Also known as: Post-Implementation Survey
It is an evaluation conducted after the implementation of a wireless network to confirm that it meets the design specifications and performance standards.
The survey typically includes:
– Verification of Physical Installation: Confirming that all access points and antennas are correctly installed and configured according to the design plan, this includes checking location, mounting height, and antenna orientation.
– Performance Testing: Measuring signal strength, coverage, and signal quality throughout the deployment area. Optional throughput tests may be performed to assess network capacity and speed.
– Documentation: Providing comprehensive documentation of the deployed network, including photographs of the installed equipment, coverage maps, and performance metrics.
Also known as: Post-Implementation Survey
It is an evaluation of an existing wireless network conducted to assess current performance, identify issues, and provide technical feedback to the network team for optimization. This type of survey is essential for maintaining network efficiency and ensuring it continues to meet user needs.
Measuring the RF environment during Pre-Deployment, Post-Deployment, and Health Check Surveys can be performed using either passive or active methods.
Passive measurement involves monitoring the RF environment without generating any traffic. It collects data such as signal strength, interference, and channel utilization by operating in a listen-only mode. The survey client does not associate with any access points, but instead passively observes the wireless environment. This allows the detection of signal characteristics including coverage, signal-to-noise ratio, channel bandwidth, and the presence of both own and neighboring access points. Passive surveys are the most frequently used method, particularly useful for identifying the causes of intermittent connectivity issues and for conducting routine Health Check Surveys. The results are compiled into a Passive Site Survey Report, which provides management with a high-level overview of the network’s condition, while delivering detailed heat maps and technical data for network engineers to make adjustments where necessary.
Active measurement builds upon the passive method by requiring the survey client to associate with access points and actively exchange traffic. This allows the evaluation of performance metrics such as signal strength, throughput, round-trip time, and packet loss under real-world conditions. Typically, a dedicated device is placed on the client’s local area network, and tools such as iPerf are used to send and receive test traffic. The measuring device connects to each access point during the walkthrough and records the maximum throughput available at every location.
While active surveys offer deeper insight into user experience, they also present several challenges. Clients may be reluctant to permit external devices on their network due to security concerns, and strict IT policies often limit the use of third-party hardware or traffic generation tools. Active surveys also require two walk-throughs for each frequency band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) making the process more time-consuming and labor-intensive. In addition, generating real-time traffic during an active survey can interfere with ongoing network operations and potentially skew the results. Physical or logistical limitations, such as restricted access zones, high ceilings, or repeated equipment setup, can further complicate execution.
From pre-design to health checks, our expert surveys and deployment ensure your network performs at its best—every step of the way.
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