Four Different Site Surveys To Improve Wireless Networks

If you are trying to improve the operation of a warehouse, you probably know that technology is the best way to do it. The implementation of new strategies, such as remote scanning, RFID tags, and wireless networks, can provide significant business benefits. Therefore, it is essential to implement these devices as soon as possible.

There is a straightforward solution for your new wireless network to work quickly. If you are not familiar with site surveys, you are looking for a real treat. These can be done by the company that installs the network, or they can request logistics from a third party. In general, if equipment manufacturers can conduct research, it is better to know what is the best way to use the material to meet their needs.

A site survey can be carried out in several stages of development, which helps to identify problem areas and solve them quickly. It is possible to conduct preliminary studies and run simulations without hardware. Therefore, here are four ways that site surveys can help configure a wireless configuration.

Site Forecast Survey

Although it is often misunderstood, this type of site survey offers time and cost-effectiveness and is very accurate. Predictive site surveys use RF and proprietary algorithms to simulate RF in specific environments.

In our experience, this software has become very accurate and provides an incredible view of the environment. When combined with an experienced WiFi service provider, you can achieve successful designs, even in high-density areas. The key to an excellent predictive study is to obtain as much information as possible. We recommend using a floor plan and creating a layout.

Field Survey

This type is highly recommended for more complex wireless lenses. This generally includes applications that move from AP to AP but are more susceptible to delays. For example, RTLS in hospitals, wireless video surveillance, multimedia over wireless.

A network site survey generally uses predicted results to test against a wireless design and pay close attention to interference or noise to check the model in the real world. It is essential to simulate applications that run on the network to make sure they run smoothly.

Passive

These types of surveys, which are used to collect RF data from all access points in a particular area, are adequate to verify design requirements. You can draw a WiFi heat map to provide an excellent view of coverage areas and locations with holes at different levels.

The critical design elements that can be validated in a passive survey are primary and secondary RSSI, interference (noise), SNR, and co-channel interference.

 Post-Validation 

The design of a wireless network site survey can be excellent on paper, but the real success comes when it works correctly for what it was designed. A post-validation site survey uses the requirements established at the beginning of the design to verify that the new network is functioning as designed.

Testing and measuring all the details ensure that the new network can successfully support applications and processes. A closer look at data speeds, a device to radio ratio, fluctuation, delay, QoS, high-density area, co-channel interference, and other RF characteristics.

You can also use the application performance test to test the network from the application side to get a unique view of the network performance.

It is essential to understand the different types of site surveys. Know when each one is needed and make sure the next wireless network is successful. I am sure that doing so will reduce your stress level.