Wi-Fi spectrum analysis, how it performs and how it provides information
How to analyse the WiFi spectrum is easy.
It is important to note that WiFi spectrum analysis is important in the analysis of Wi-Fi infrastructure, in addition to 802.11 standard devices.
Many different sources of transmission coexist and interfere with network access points, which can have a negative impact on network performance, which cannot be explained by the analyses of the access point setup.
We need a Wi-Fi spectrum analysis on the Wi-Fi operating frequency band (802.11) of the network using a site survey tool and Wi-Spy wireless spectrum analyser.
To identify these sources, we can determine whether they are true Wi-Fi (802.11) or interference or noise.
Usually, a Wi-Fi infrastructure analysis is designed or performed, also known as a passive or active site survey.
The main focus is on the positioning, coverage and overlapping operating channels of the network access points, operating transmission speeds and many more parameters, and the configuration of access points and associated WiFi protocol (802.11).
Real-time analysis of WiFi spectrum
Real-time analysis of Wi-Fi spectrum
The problem is that all efforts are concentrated on correctly configuring access points to optimise their performance.
Although the fact that the access points work "on the air" doesn't always guarantee a free and available environment, Wi-Fi spectrum analysis also takes place.
Wi-Fi networks Why Interference and Noise Affect (802.11)
The transmissions Wi-Fi (802.11) work in two different frequency ranges of 2,4GHz and 5GHz. The 2.4GHz band was introduced and the 5GHz band was included following its success and proliferation.
The reason for adding a new bandwidth is that the 2.4 GHz band is not licenced. This means that any device manufacturer can freely and legally use these frequencies and transmit data worldwide.
This has led to the appearance of a large number of wireless devices that have their own data communication protocols, i.e., they do not speak about Wi-Fi (802.11).
For that reason, we can have a large number of wireless devices that share the radio medium of our network.
You can not see them by using a wireless analyser or by conducting an active or passive site survey, as these methods are based on Wi-Fi analysis and monitoring (802.11).
How to conduct a site survey?
If we have to conduct a site survey, in addition to active and passive site surveys, we have to conduct a site radio spectrum survey (Wi-Fi spectrum analysis)
This provides us with reading from all other radio transmission sources, apart from the wireless networks and device parameters that co-exist with Wi-Fi (802.11) transmissions, which generate interference or noise and degrade the performance of wireless communication.
Wi-Fi interference devices for ibeacon cctv
Devices that interfere (CCTV, iBeacon)
The most common devices that create wireless infrastructure interference and noise are:
Microwave stoves. Microwave.
CCTV wireless video cameras monitoring.
Wireless baby screens.
Bluetooth equipment.
I Beacons.
Some alarms for the car.
Wireless phones. Wireless phones.
Microphones Wireless
ZigBee Bee (802.15.4).
Jammers with Wi-Fi.
You can probably identify at least two of these Wi-Fi (802.11) transmitters within your wireless infrastructure.
How to detect sources of noise.
We need special hardware specifically designed for professional use to perform Wi-Fi spectrum analysis.
Spectrum analyser for Acrylic Wi-Spy site survey
Spectrum analyser Wi-Spy
The following models of Wi-Spy spectrum analysers are used:
2.4x 2.4x (2.4 GHz)
DBx DBx (2.4 y 5GHz)
The Wi-Spy spectrum analysers do not need drivers and can be configured according to frequency band to be analysed when connected to a USB port.
Wi-Fi frequency analyser configuration
Wi-Fi frequency analyser configuration
We can start the wireless spectrum analysis once the spectrum analyser is configured.
Either a blueprint or satellite imagery with single length measurements, continuous mode capture, or GPS positioning for the outdoors.
Once we have completed the Wi-Fi spectrum analysis, we will have a graph or a plot of the RF spectrum that is used to generate a radio heatmap.
Generate Wi-Fi heatmap for spectrum
Generating Wi-Fi heatmap for spectrum
In contrast to a conventional heat map of signal strength, this heat map not only displays the signal strength values for access points of our network.
Even for other devices that operate with the same frequency range Wi-Fi (802.11), including a microwave oven, a CCTV, a wireless phone or the Bluetooth device.
How to read an analysis of the wireless spectrum.
Comparing an RSSI heat map with a Wi-Fi heat map, we can quickly identify those sources that do not have access points within the coverage area of our network.
Likewise, because
unlimited home internet in georgiaknow the locations of our network access points, on the heat map for Wi-Fi spectrum analysis we can overlap access points.
So, identify sources of transmission other than our points of access which may cause interference or noise.
Interference detection on the 3d WiFi heat map
Interference detection on a Wi-Fi heat map
With this valuable information, we can identify all the transmitting devices that interfere with our radio medium.
Disable wireless transmission on those devices that we control, replace or replace that may adversely affect the quality of Wi-Fi communications.
As we can see, it is easy and fast to identify noise sources or interfering devices in our radio spectrum via a Wi-Fi Spectrum Analysis that makes Wi-Fi communications much better.
This prevents interference and noise in your signal, reduces the transmission of data packets, improves signal quality and access point coverage and improves overall network speed and performance by helping eliminate the shared transmission of radio media.