Site survey (Wi-Spy) 27
Site survey (Wi-Spy)
Usually wireless speaker connections should not lead to problems. The BeoLab Transmitter 1 is able to find unused channels in the 5 GHz band,
and makes a map of unused channels in case the present channel in use becomes occupied by another transmission system. In such case moving
to an alternative channel happens seamlessly.
Despite this it is recommended to make a site survey in dense residential areas as well as enterprise areas, in countries with few channels (see
page 25
), in areas known for wireless problems and if many 5 GHz transmission systems nearby.
In a repair situation a site survey can also reveal if problems are related to lack of channels in the 5 GHz transmission system.
The Wi-Spy DBx + Chanalyzer Pro can be used to visualize which 5 GHz channels are used and unused.
Note: The free-ware program inSIDDer can show all channels, and identify WLAN traffic, whereas it is not able to see radio traffic from other
transmission systems using the 5 GHz band (see
page 25
).
Setting up Wi-Spy
From the Wi-Spy toolbar do the following (see example of Wi-Spy recording on the next page):
- Press
View
and select
Wi-Fi Channels.
- Press
Wi-Spy
and select
Full 5 GHz Band
; to scan in the 5 GHz band.
- Press
Wi-Fi
and select the net board of your computer; in this example Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6205; to enable the on-board WLAN.
- Click on the tool to have the Display selected networks (WLANs) enabled; by this the WLAN can be seen in the recordings.
- Click on the tool to have Colouring by Density enabled.
- Set at check mark (√) next to
SSID
, in the lower half of the display.
The total view will be as shown on the next page.
A recording is saved in the following way:
- Press
File
>
Save
, and remember to record where, when and how the recordings were made.
- State known wireless problems in the area, if any!
Observations for decision on wired/wireless
Make a Wi-Spy recording in the area where Wireless Power Link (WPL) is intended to be installed. Save the recording.
Compare the channel pattern for the country with the recording.
The possibilities for utilizing WPL are of course best when there are unused (free) channels.
If the recording seems to indicate that most/all channels are used, it might still be possible to utilize WPL, if the signal strength in some channels
are below - 80 dBm. The channels can not be manually selected for the BeoLab Transmitter 1.
Make a wireless test setup, and in case it behaves stable, make the installation permanent.
In case the test setup is unstable, or in case there are no unused channels, a wired solution is then the solution to a sound experience!
