Wireless Surveys

At ANS we believe the survey is the most critical part of any external wireless deployment and the planning and execution of these surveys are performed with care and expertise. Whether the network is required for data transfer only or network specific voice calls, asset or personnel tracking the survey provides the blue print for the coverage and operational capacity of the Wifi network infrastructure.

As technology progresses low cost and increase usage of the 2.4 GHz spectrum has seen an increase in the potential interference and security breaches within IT networks a survey reduces these risks by providing real time information on the wireless activity within your network. Generally with wireless systems it is difficult to predict the exact propagation of radio waves and detect the presence of interfering signals from simulations alone and without the use of test equipment, as radio waves do not travel the same distance in all directions. Walls, doors, lift shafts, people and other obstacles give varying degrees of attenuation and can cause reflection, refraction and diffraction of the radio waves causing RF radiation patterns to be irregular and unpredictable.  An RF site survey provides an understanding of the behaviour of radio waves within a facility before any installation commences.

The key to a successful survey involves a clear understanding of the clients overall objective. This includes clarification of the coverage areas, building size and building structure, key hotspot zones and critical and non critical wireless locations. The bandwidth requirement, resiliency coverage and service elements required including data, voice and location based services form part of the information we gain from the client prior to the consultants commencing the survey.

Crucial information is gained when the team attend site for the physical survey process. Specific elements tested include:-

• Physical performance level of the Access Point when tested on site with manual test results logged by the consultants.
• The RF propagation characteristic of each Access Point with specific gain measurements and bandwidth levels in relation to the Access point positioning.
• Rogue Access point detection highlighting existing RF signals that are present in the clients site.
• RF sweep and frequency analysis of the 2.4 GHz spectrum to provide an analysis of the spectrum at time of testing.
• Optimum mounting positions of the Access points and the quantity of Access Points required providing complete coverage and resilience within the client's network.
• Physical and practical limitations for mounting and cabling of the wireless Access Points. 
• Frequency planning exercise to ensure the deployment operates to the optimum performance levels.

The physical survey involves wireless consultants attending your locations with test equipment. Specific care is taken to provide a minimal amount of disruption during survey with all health and safety and best practice working at all times. Specific sensitive or time constraint activities will be agreed prior to commencement and the team will work around the client specific requests.  A complete documentation of survey findings with documented test information will be provided upon completion forming the blue print for the wireless network installation.

Point to Point and Multipoint Wireless Surveys

The low cost of ownership and fast ROI is seeing a significant increase in the deployment of outdoor wireless solutions as credible replacements for expensive leased lines and general inter site connectivity. The option to deploy a licensed microwave, Free Space Optical Solution or a Light/Unlicensed can be determined and clarified with expertise of the ANS wireless team.

ANS have extensive experience and capabilities in planning external wireless networks ranging from complete rural broadband networks to high speed licensed microwave solutions connecting mission critical networks. The ANS team provide services including theoretical network simulation and physical site surveying through to site acquisition, deployment and after sales engineering SLA support.

The wireless survey is the critical element to any externally based wireless solution. A number of critical elements are taken into consideration by the planning and surveying process to ensure our solutions are carrier grade, cost effective and resilient. 

Planning is the critical element of any outdoor wireless deployment, the survey process start at the consultation level with the client. An understanding of the service level requirements is clarified with the client to gain an understanding of the bandwidth and usage for voice, data, video and the nature of the specific network critical, resilient etc being agreed prior to network design.

The initial survey process involves the client providing information on the locations to be connected with information on GPS co-ordinates or post codes, locations heights and required bandwidths. A desktop simulation is performed to provide the optimum solution for the client. As part of this exercise the planning team checks the line of sight of each connection or via a database of UK masts checks for relevant hop points between the target locations. 

Following the network simulations a theoretical model is produced and upon agreement with the client forms the basis of the wireless network. The second stage is for the engineering team to attend each location to survey the wireless links in readiness for the equipment deployment.

Activities covered by the physical survey include:- 

• Line of sight verification
• Alternative site/tower identification where required
• Spectrum Analysis
• Clarification of cabling and power requirements
• Suitability of external mounting positions for the requisite technologies
• Suitability of building construction for access and equipment housing
• Health and safety assessment and risk assessments for each location
• Mechanical Access requirements
• Any requirements for mast mounting of equipment 

The survey team is fully qualified with requisite certification and where possible the engineers surveying the wireless links will be utilised in the installation of the network to ensure continuity and knowledge of the requisite installation. ANS will provide the liaison with OFCOM the UK telecommunications regulator where required as part of the survey and implementation process and will work with your on site staff to ensure minimal disruption during the survey and installation process.