Survey techniques
Walking methodology during a Wi-Fi site survey is crucial because it directly impacts the accuracy of the collected data and the effectiveness of network planning. Here are some general best practices to help you get the best results possible.
Both Sides of the Walls
Walking on both sides of walls is essential to accurately assess signal penetration through walls and obstacles. It helps you identify potential dead zones or areas with weak coverage, which can be addressed through AP placement or power adjustments. It's always best to cover areas behind and around walls and other obstructions whenever possible.
Around Equipment and Obstacles
Walking around equipment and obstacles, such as large machinery or furniture, is vital to understanding how these physical objects affect signal propagation.
Systematic Coverage
Following a systematic approach, like walking in a grid pattern, ensures even and comprehensive coverage. It helps prevent oversampling or undersampling of certain areas, resulting in a more balanced dataset.
Consistent Walking Speed
Maintaining a consistent walking speed is crucial for data accuracy. Variations in walking speed can lead to inconsistent data, affecting signal strength measurements and heatmap generation.
NOTE: Sidos uses a continuous survey method that involves surveyors walking at a consistent pace while periodically updating their location in the Sidos mobile application. This walking technique ensures data is gathered evenly and consistently across the surveyed area. The constant walking speed minimizes variations in data collection, making it easier to create accurate visualizations and identify areas that require attention in terms of Wi-Fi coverage and performance.
Areas of Interest
Focus on areas of particular interest, such as high-density user areas or locations with potential interference sources. Spend more time collecting data in these critical areas to ensure thorough analysis.
Revisiting Problem Areas
If you encounter anomalies or areas with unexpected signal behavior, revisit them to confirm the findings. It's essential to validate data in challenging areas to make informed decisions.
When to create a new survey
Sidos provides the capability to create multiple surveys for each project, which is important to prevent the mixing of incompatible survey data. This ensures that each survey accurately represents the specific conditions, changes, or scenarios being assessed, supporting precise network planning, optimization, and troubleshooting while maintaining data integrity. Each survey has a unique QR code. Creating a new survey will create a new, unique QR code that should be scanned by the Sidos Mobile Application.
Time-Based Intervals: Consider creating a new survey at regular intervals, especially in dynamic environments. If you survey a large site over multiple days, only use the same survey when you're sure that the network did not automatically make any changes to its configuration.
New Network Configuration: Start a new survey whenever significant network configuration changes occur. This includes adjustments to access point settings, such as power levels, channels, or security configurations.
Physical Layout Changes: If there are physical changes to the surveyed area, such as the addition or removal of walls, furniture, or equipment, initiate a new survey.
Coverage Expansion: If you're extending Wi-Fi coverage to a new area or adding access points to an existing network, create a new survey to assess and document the coverage of the newly added zones accurately.
Network Issues or Complaints: Whenever network issues or user complaints arise, start a new survey to evaluate and diagnose the reported problems.
Equipment Upgrades: When upgrading network equipment, such as access points or antennas, initiate a new survey to assess the impact of the equipment changes on network performance.
Data Abnormalities: Be vigilant during the survey process. If you capture data in the survey and notice abnormalities such as access points broadcasting on many different channels, consider these anomalies as indicators that network changes have occurred. Initiate a new survey to accurately assess the network's current state.
By following these best practices, you can ensure that each survey accurately represents the specific conditions, changes, or scenarios being assessed, supporting precise network planning, optimization, and troubleshooting while maintaining data integrity.