WiFi Radio Monitoring

mdtech provides a professional service for site surveying and assessing the coverage quality of corporate Wi-Fi networks.

Wi-Fi networks are increasingly critical services for business operations. Insufficient Wi-Fi signal coverage in facilities like warehouses, office centers, or hotels leads to the slowdown or stoppage of business processes, negatively impacting company operations and reputation.

Goal of Wireless Network Radio Survey

The main goal of the survey is to determine the most suitable type and quantity of Wi-Fi access points (APs), optimal locations for installation, precise antenna orientation, and frequency/power settings to achieve the required performance.

It is impossible to accurately predict Wi-Fi signal propagation without practical site surveying, as performance is affected by many visible and invisible factors:

• Obstacles: Walls, doors, racks, which introduce significant signal attenuation depending on material and configuration.

• Industrial Equipment: Motors, welding systems, and climate units, which negatively impact nearby Wi-Fi equipment.

• Household Appliances and Tech: Microwaves, wireless cameras, and Bluetooth devices, which create active interference.

• Third-party Wireless Networks: Constant sources of active interference, which are best addressed through on-site surveying.

Only a radio survey performed with a professional measurement complex will allow for the construction of a Wi-Fi network with predictable characteristics.

When is a Radio Survey Necessary?

A radio survey is relevant at any stage of a Wi-Fi network's lifecycle:

Stage	Purpose
Before Construction or Modernization	Studying physical characteristics using the "AP-on-a-Stick" methodology . Goal: determining optimal placement and settings for a predictable network.
After Implementation	Validation to confirm the network meets required parameters. Includes installation supervision to control antenna tilt angles and prevent obstructions. Checks both basic (signal level, SNR) and advanced characteristics (throughput, roaming).
During Operation	Auditing physical parameters and equipment settings. Assessing compliance with business requirements and proposing a modernization plan.

Types of Surveys

Surveys are performed using a professional measurement complex and specialized rigging (pneumatic masts) to safely raise test APs to their planned installation heights (up to 12 meters).

1. Passive Radio Survey:

   • Collecting basic information about the wireless environment: signal levels and operating frequencies from all detected Wi-Fi devices, as well as signals from other radio emission sources in the Wi-Fi bands.

   • Assessing Quality Characteristics: Signal level, SNR, overlap zones, and interference level.

   • Analyzing third-party Wi-Fi network influence, searching for interference sources, and developing recommendations for optimal frequency and power plans.

2. Active Radio Survey:

   • The measurement equipment connects to the live WLAN as a client. A constant data stream is generated to measure real connection speed, packet loss, and the roaming process between APs.

   • This helps identify and correct non-physical issues, such as errors in the configuration of both the wired and wireless network equipment.

By entrusting Wi-Fi radio surveying to mdtech radio engineers, you receive 100% reliable information about your existing and planned wireless network.

Stages of Wi-Fi Network Radio Survey

Before Equipment Deployment (Pre-Deployment Survey):

1. Data Collection: Assessing requirements, creating a 3D model, and performing predictive planning.

2. Passive Site Survey: Installing a test AP at planned locations, collecting environment characteristics, analyzing data, and adjusting AP placements/quantity/antenna types.

3. Report: Preparing a report with actual measurement results, containing 100% reliable proposals for building or upgrading the network with specified target characteristics.

After Equipment Deployment (Validation Survey):

1. Active Site Survey: Visual inspection of AP placement, audit of settings, throughput testing, and performing an active survey in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

2. Report: Report with information on additional quality characteristics and proposals for resolving configuration-related issues.

Tools for Wi-Fi Radio Survey at mdtech

• Ekahau Site Survey Pro Software/Hardware Complex: Used for performing and analyzing radio surveys.

• Ekahau Sidekick Spectrum Analyzer: Ensures objectivity and accuracy by investigating both bands (2.4GHz + 5GHz) in real-time.

• Pneumatic Masts: Used for safe lifting of test APs and antennas to the required height (up to 12 meters) in precise locations without halting operations.

• In-house Test Equipment Fleet: Wide range of AP models (Cisco, Ruckus, Aruba, Eltex, etc.) available for prompt surveying.

The mdtech radio engineer team will provide auditing, design, troubleshooting, advanced services, and turnkey Wi-Fi support for your facility.