Site Survey
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Introduction
What is Site Survey?
An RF site survey is a MAP to RF contour of RF coverage in a particular facility. With wireless system it is very
difficult to predict the propagation of radio waves and detect the presence of interfering signals. Walls, doors,
elevator shafts, and other obstacles offer different degree of attenuation. This will cause the RF coverage pattern
be irregular and hard to predict.
Site survey can help us overcome these problem and even provide us a map of RF coverage of the facility.
Preparation
Below are the step to complete a simple site survey with simple tools.
1. First you will need to Obtain a facility diagram, such as a blueprints. This is for you to mark and take record on.
2. Visually inspect the facility, walk through the facility to verify the accuracy of the diagram and mark down any
large obstacle you see that may effect the RF signal such as metal shelf, metal desk, etc on the diagram.
3. Identify user's area, when doing so ask a question where is wireless coverage needed and where does not, and
note and take note on the diagram this is information is needed to determine the number of AP required.
4. Determine the preliminary access point location on the facility diagram base on the service area needed,
obstacles, power wall jack considerations.
Survey on Site
1. With the diagram with all information you gathered in the preparation phase. Now you are ready to make the
survey.
2. Install an access point at the preliminary location.
3. User a notebook with wireless client installed and run it's utility. An utility will provide information such as
connection speed, current used channel, associated rate, link quality, signal strength and etc information as shown
in utility below.
