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Jul 31, 2021
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Wireless Network Implementation & RF Site Survey

Conducted comprehensive RF spectrum analysis with Ekahau HeatMapper and NetSpot, designed enterprise WLAN infrastructure for 780m² office using 5 omnidirectional access points with dual-band 802.11n/ac coverage, and performed antenna radiation pattern analysis.

Timeline and Details

Start date End date Associated with Project URL
April 2021 July 2021 Algebra Bernays University Project PDF

Overview

Designed and deployed enterprise-grade wireless LAN infrastructure through comprehensive RF site surveys, spectrum analysis, and capacity planning. Implemented multi-access point architecture with channel optimization and roaming capabilities, ensuring seamless connectivity for collaborative applications while meeting regulatory compliance (HAKOM EIRP limits).

Part 1: Residential RF Site Survey & Optimization

Spectrum Analysis (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz)

RF Environment Assessment

  • Utilized Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 adapter for spectrum scanning
  • Performed analysis using NetSpot and Ekahau HeatMapper professional tools
  • Tested with Innbox V45 Home Gateway (Optima Telekom) - 2.4 GHz only device
  • Measured SSID “inbox” operating on Channel 12 with -31 dBm signal strength at 1-meter distance
  • Identified zero channel overlap with neighboring networks (clean RF environment)
  • SNR > 20 dBm confirmed healthy network operation

Interference Sources Identified

  • Wireless phones and cameras
  • Bluetooth devices
  • LCD monitors with RF emissions
  • Satellite receivers
  • ISM band devices (2400-2500 MHz)

Heat Map Generation & Coverage Analysis

Survey Methodology

  • Created architectural floor plan using RoomSketcher (127.37m² residential space)
  • Conducted walking survey with 1-meter measurement intervals
  • Generated visual heat maps showing RSSI distribution across entire property
  • Performed two comparative tests:
    • Test 1: 100% transmit power (maximum coverage)
    • Test 2: 20% transmit power (reduced coverage showing dead zones)

Signal Quality Standards Applied

Signal Strength Quality Use Case
-30 dBm Excellent Maximum achievable (few meters from AP)
-67 dBm Very Good Reliable for latency-sensitive applications
-70 dBm Good Minimum for reliable packet delivery
-80 dBm Poor Basic connectivity (unreliable packets)
-90 dBm Unusable No functional connectivity

Coverage Results

  • At 100% power: Adequate coverage throughout property including kitchen and terrace
  • At 20% power: Significant signal degradation in kitchen and terrace areas
  • Material attenuation effects observed (concrete, drywall, glass)

Optimization Recommendations

Access Point Repositioning

  • Proposed relocation to central hallway position (upper-right corner)
  • Rationale: Equalized signal propagation to all rooms
  • Expected improvement: 15-20% better coverage uniformity

Equipment Upgrades

  • Replace ISP combo device with dedicated enterprise-grade AP supporting 5 GHz
  • Enable 40 MHz channel bonding for increased throughput
  • Disable WiFi on ISP gateway, use purely as router
  • Maintain Channel 12 operation (no interference detected)

Technical Stack

NetSpot • Ekahau HeatMapper • RoomSketcher • Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 • ISM Band (2.4 GHz) • Channel Planning • RSSI Measurements

Part 2: Enterprise WLAN Design (BRM d.o.o.)

Project Requirements

Client Specifications

  • Office space: 780m² (conference rooms, offices, reception, kitchen, employee area)
  • Dual-band support: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz mandatory
  • Standards: 802.11n and 802.11ac only
  • Seamless roaming: No connection drops during inter-AP transitions
  • SSID: “BRM”
  • Collaborative applications: Zoom, Skype, Adobe Connect (VoIP quality required)
  • Budget constraint: Minimize AP count while meeting performance targets

Regulatory Compliance (HAKOM)

  • 2.4 GHz: Maximum EIRP 20 dBm (200 mW with 20 MHz bandwidth)
  • 5 GHz: EIRP varies by sub-band:
    • UNII-1: 23 dBm
    • UNII-2: 23 dBm
    • UNII-2 Extended: 30 dBm
    • UNII-3: 36 dBm

Performance Targets

  • 2.4 GHz: Net loss ≤ 83 dB; minimum data rate 200 Mbps at weakest point
  • 5 GHz: Net loss ≤ 94 dB; minimum data rate 160 Mbps at weakest point

Architecture Design

Building Material Analysis

Material Signal Attenuation
Drywall (15 cm) 8-16 dBm
Reinforced concrete (25 cm) 10-19 dBm
Glass wall (15 cm) 4 dBm
Metal doors 4 dBm
Partition walls (6 cm) 3-4 dBm

EIRP Calculations

  • Antenna: 5 dBi omnidirectional
  • Transmit power: 63 mW (17.99 dBm)
  • Cable loss: 0 dB (internal antenna)
  • EIRP formula: EIRP = Transmit Power - Cable Loss + Antenna Gain
  • Result: 22.99 dBm (199.22 mW) - within legal 200 mW limit

RSSI Calculations

  • 2.4 GHz: RSSI = 22.99 dBm - 83 dB = -60 dBm (Good quality)
  • 5 GHz: RSSI = 22.99 dBm - 94 dB = -71 dBm (Acceptable quality)

MCS Index Configuration

  • 2.4 GHz: 802.11n with 3 spatial streams, 400ns GI → 216.7 Mbps (exceeds 200 Mbps requirement)
  • 5 GHz: 802.11ac with 2 spatial streams, 40 MHz channel → 180 Mbps (exceeds 160 Mbps requirement)

Deployment Solution

Access Point Configuration (5 APs Total)

AP 2.4 GHz Config 5 GHz Config
AP1 Channel 1, 63 mW, 802.11n, 20 MHz Channels 36-40, 63 mW, 802.11n/ac, 40 MHz
AP2 Channel 11, 63 mW, 802.11n, 20 MHz Channels 44-48, 63 mW, 802.11n/ac, 40 MHz
AP3 Channel 6, 63 mW, 802.11n, 20 MHz Channels 52-56, 63 mW, 802.11n/ac, 40 MHz
AP4 Channel 6, 63 mW, 802.11n, 20 MHz Channels 60-64, 63 mW, 802.11n/ac, 40 MHz
AP5 Channel 1, 63 mW, 802.11n, 20 MHz Channels 100-104, 63 mW, 802.11n/ac, 40 MHz

Channel Planning Strategy

  • 2.4 GHz: Non-overlapping channels 1, 6, 11 (EU best practice)
  • Avoided 1, 5, 9, 13 scheme due to potential co-channel interference
  • 5 GHz: Distributed across UNII bands with 40 MHz bonding
  • Zero channel overlap achieved on both bands

Coverage Analysis

  • 2.4 GHz: Full office coverage with RSSI ≥ -60 dBm everywhere
  • 5 GHz: Critical areas fully covered (conference rooms, offices, reception, kitchen)
  • Central employee area: Partial 5 GHz coverage, but workstations receive adequate signal
  • Heat maps generated using Acrylic Wi-Fi HeatMaps software

Technical Stack

Acrylic Wi-Fi HeatMaps • 5 dBi Omnidirectional Antennas • 802.11n/ac • EIRP Calculations • MCS Index Optimization • Channel Bonding (40 MHz) • HAKOM Compliance • RSSI Planning

Part 3: Antenna Radiation Pattern Analysis

Pattern Visualization

Antenna Specifications

  • Type: Omnidirectional 5 dBi
  • Radiation: 360° horizontal plane coverage
  • Vertical null: Signal strength approaches zero along antenna axis
  • Application: Point-to-multipoint topology

2D & 3D Pattern Generation

  • Tool: Antenna Pattern Editor
  • 2D pattern: Shows uniform 360° horizontal radiation (doughnut shape)
  • 3D pattern: Visualizes toroidal radiation pattern (multiple viewing angles)
  • Confirmed omnidirectional behavior across horizontal plane
  • Demonstrated vertical axis null (minimal coverage directly above/below antenna)

Analysis Insights

  • Horizontal axis: Maximum energy propagation
  • Vertical axis: Signal attenuation to near-zero
  • Pattern confirms suitability for indoor office deployment (ceiling-mounted APs)

Technical Stack

Antenna Pattern Editor • 5 dBi Omnidirectional Antenna • Radiation Pattern Analysis • 2D/3D Visualization • RF Propagation Modeling

Results

Part 1: Residential Survey

  • Successfully identified clean RF environment (Channel 12 with no interference)
  • Generated actionable optimization recommendations (AP repositioning + equipment upgrade)
  • Demonstrated 80% coverage degradation at 20% transmit power in remote areas

Part 2: Enterprise Deployment

  • 5 access points provide complete 780m² office coverage
  • Met all technical requirements: EIRP compliance, RSSI thresholds, MCS data rates
  • Achieved zero channel overlap on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands
  • Seamless roaming enabled via overlapping coverage cells
  • Cost-optimized solution: Minimal AP count while exceeding performance targets

Part 3: Antenna Analysis

  • Validated omnidirectional radiation characteristics through 2D/3D patterns
  • Confirmed antenna selection appropriate for office environment
  • Documented theoretical vs. practical propagation behavior

Key Learnings

  • Site survey methodology: 1-meter interval walking surveys provide accurate heat map data for residential/SMB environments
  • Material attenuation: Reinforced concrete (10-19 dBm loss) significantly impacts coverage vs. drywall (8-16 dBm)
  • Channel planning: European 2.4 GHz deployments should use channels 1, 6, 11 to avoid co-channel interference
  • 5 GHz advantages: 40 MHz bonding and less congested spectrum provide superior performance for enterprise applications
  • Roaming: Overlapping coverage cells (15-20% overlap zones) essential for seamless VoIP/video conferencing
  • Regulatory compliance: HAKOM EIRP limits must be calculated including antenna gain to avoid violations
  • MCS optimization: 802.11ac with 2+ spatial streams required to meet 160+ Mbps requirements in realistic office environments
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