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PREDICTIVE WIRELESS SURVEY
PREDICTIVE WIRELESS SURVEY
Dynamic Wireless uses the best-in-class survey tool 'Ekahau Site Survey and Planner' to perform predictive surveys (also known as desktop survey) for WiFi networks in indoor environments.
In combination with our Ekahau WiFi survey software, we analyse your building floor plans (wall construction, general arrangement, reflected ceiling and elevation plans), and then conduct a physical onsite inspection in order to identify all building materials, obstructions, optimal access point locations, required antennas and mounting methods, as well as other environmental variables. We then overlay all of the variables into the survey software, such as wall construction information, furniture plans, reflected ceiling plans, attenuation areas, access point models, antennas and transmit powers, to provide you with the most accurate predictive wireless coverage map possible.
An important differentiator is that we use the survey tools in conjunction with our own 16+ years of knowledge and experience of similar environments to yours. Our Principal Consultant has performed hundreds of site surveys across every industry environment type including - University campuses, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, retirement villages, mining sites, resorts, airports, industrial sites, warehouses, farming and agriculture, manufacturing plants, biotech labs, smelters, shipping ports, rail depots, as well as a host of Government and Corporate Enterprise environments.
Whilst predictive desktop surveys are typically >90% accurate, with an adequate level of coverage redundancy incorporated into our designs, we are able to achieve close to 100% accurate coverage predictions.
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For complicated environments and the utmost assurance in wireless coverage design, we recommend our onsite AP-on-Stick Surveys, which use an access point mounted atop a 3 metre tripod and then raised to ceiling height in order to accurately measure the wireless coverage from each AP location, taking all obstructions and environmental conditions into account. The results are then merged together into one seamless coverage map. We use the latest Cisco and Aruba 802.11/a/g/n/ac WiFi access points for our surveys, or any different brand/model as specified by our clients.
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After implementation of the wireless network, a follow-up post-install wireless survey can then be performed onsite, and any coverage holes identified and AP relocations and wireless controller optimisation recommendations made.
Custom AP
Predictive WiFi Coverage Heatmaps
Highest Accuracy Using Wall Construction & Attenuation Areas
How We Increase Accuracy
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To provide you with the most accurate preictive surveys, we use all of the following architectural floor plans in conjunction with each other:
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1. General Arrangement Floorplan - Shows the seating capacity of the various areas and rooms across the floor. We use this plan to accurately scope the density of WAPs required to provide sufficient capacity to the expected client devices across a floor.
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2. Wall Construction Floorplan - Identifies every wall type - via a wall code labelled beside each wall on the plan. We then use the Wall Types Index to determine the thickness and type of each type of wall, so that we can create the corresponding custom signal attenuation for each wall in the Ekahau software.
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4. Reflected Ceiling Floorplan (RCP) - Although not essential for predicting the signal, we use the RCP plans to provide more accurately marked WAP locations on the floorplan, so that no WAP will interfere with existing lighting fixtures, smoke alarms, fire sprinklers, speakers etc.
Although it is understood that ceiling plans change often before the final building/floor is constructed, by using the RCP, this provides the highest probability that WAPs will be installed well clear of all metal duct work, as well as away from any other significant obstructions (concrete columns, structural beams, or fixed office furnishings). The RCP also provides information on whether horizontal mounting of WAPs is not possible, and if special right-angle brackets are needed for WAP installation.
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5. Elevation Plan - This shows the floorplan vertically, and includes ceiling heights and gradients, which we use for determining optimal WAP mounting locations and signal propagation. This is essential in order to ensure ideal WAP maintenance heights, and to accurately simulate coverage propagation across the floor.
Where Predictive Surveys Are Not Recommended
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For complicated environments and the utmost assurance in wireless coverage design, we recommend our onsite AP-on-Stick Surveys, which use an access point mounted atop a 3 to 8 metre tripod and then raised to ceiling or other desired height in order to accurately measure the wireless coverage from each WAP location, taking all obstructions and environmental conditions into account. The results are then merged together into one seamless coverage map. We use the latest Cisco, Merkai and Aruba 802.11ac/ax WiFi access points for our surveys, or any different brand/model as specified by our clients.
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After implementation of the wireless network, a follow-up post-install wireless survey can then be performed onsite, and any coverage holes identified and AP relocations and wireless
controller optimisation recommendations made.
Example Predictive Desktop Survey Results
Use the interactive slider below to display the initial map with wall construction and attenuation areas overlaid, and the subsequent signals strength heat-map generated after running the prediction algorithm.
Signal Strength Heatmap
Signal Strength sometimes referred to as coverage, is the basic requirement for wireless network performance. Low signal levels contribute to unreliable connections and low data throughput. The higher the value (towards green), the stronger the signal strength.
Coverage Redundancy Heatmap
The Coverage Redundancy map shows redundant coverage at a specific dBm threshold, such as -65 dBm voice-grade as in the example below (i.e. having 2 visible WAPs at -65 dBm from the client’s perspective).
Data Rate Heatmap
The Data Rate map below shows the predicted speed (based on signal strength) at which the client device and the WAP will communicate. The higher the value (towards green), the better the client adapter's data rate transmission with the access point.
Associated Access Point Heatmap
The Associated AP heatmap shows the predicted associated access point cell size at the specified signal strength threshold (in this case for -65 dBm voice-grade coverage). This is useful for determining sub-optimally performing WAP locations or mounting methods, in order to remediate poor AP placement.
Get in touch with us to obtain more information about our predictive desktop wireless surveys.
