Wireless LAN (WLAN) Deployment Simulation and on-site survey tools

In the process of deploying WLAN, we are often upset by the Access Point Planning, but this is a task we have to do. Is there a tool that can reduce our workload: Simulate the installation of access points 802.11a, B, or g) and the signal coverage strength of access points in this area including obstacles. With this tool, we can deploy WLAN more accurately and easily.

Field investigations are essential

Rfrf) the prediction tool can use a computer to simulate the RF environment and the transmit power of the Access Point antenna to estimate the Access Point Coverage. Most systems generally use two processes to provide detailed Access Point installation maps and performance evaluations. First, the editing software is used to modify the floor plan and create a RF Feature Map that accurately describes the building walls. Then, you can place the access point on a map to generate an average signal strength coverage chart that users expect to receive at different building locations.

The signal strength of the access point can be measured through field surveys to verify the assumptions made during the planning phase. At present, there is no better way to conduct on-site investigations in the network area instead of the host machines and PDAs of the customer devices installed with the survey software. After data is collected, a good system can provide the number of access points, installation locations, and channel configurations required to ensure the quality of network transmission.

Do not seek the sword

Some commercial planning tools are very advanced and complex) tools that can consider factors such as building materials and physical barriers. Other tools are slightly less accurate but easier to use), providing rough estimates of coverage areas and RF environments. Remember, all these tools only provide "Best guess" snapshots at a specific time point. The RF environment and usage modes are constantly changing.

Although it is important to have a good RF planning tool, it is more important for users to continuously monitor the RF environment and dynamically adjust network settings to respond to changing conditions. The key to achieving this is to ensure that the access point itself has the ability to collect and report real-time data in the RF environment. Most enterprise-level access points have the ability.

New WLAN system automatically adjusts interference

Traditional WLAN vendors often use on-site surveys and channel planning tools to accomplish the desired work. The limitation of conducting complex site surveys is that the RF environment is not static, so soon after planning/predicting RF propagation, if anything moves or adds to an environment such as a file cabinet or desk ), the RF environment changes. This requires re-planning and new site planning.

Another approach is to use a system. Without prediction, the software can automatically predict the channel size and coordinate access points in the system to achieve maximum coverage. The WLAN architecture must be like a complete system. Such a system must eliminate inter-channel interference and meet the needs for Channel and RF planning), and maintain a continuous interference map at all times. This map can be dynamically adjusted based on environment changes. The RF environment is complex and constantly changing, but this architecture can build a reliable WLAN at low management costs.