1. Training: Wireless Site Surveys
Released: 2012/02/04

2. Section: Introduction

3. Data-Linc Group Industrial grade products include:
Wireless Modems
Ethernet Radio Modems
Serial Radio Modems
Copper Wire Modems
Dial-up/Leased Line
Dedicated Wire FSK Modems
Specialty:
Analog/Discrete Multiplexers
4-Port Switch
Accessory Devices
Factory pre-configured for your application
Site Surveys

4. Benefits of RF Site Survey
Engineered solution, by design
Reduce project cost overruns and rework
Minimize startup surprises and project “creep”
Maximize communication effectiveness
Minimize communication faults
Consistent response times
Reliable operation over project lifecycle

5. Who Performs the Survey?
The Customer, the Distributor
Contracted third party
System Integrator
Engineering Firms (Titus Engineering)
Local wireless businesses
Wireless service and/or repair
Some electrical shops
Radio tower sellers
Data-Linc - $1200/day plus expenses
Skills required:
Understand Line Of Sight (LOS) requirements
Ability to configure and install Data-Linc radio systems and correct possible abnormal operation
May require work at heights

6. Site Survey: When? Alternatives Analysis & Preliminary Design
Theoretical Survey
Physical Survey
Detailed Design
Generate a Bill Of Materials
Project Startup
Sustaining
Conduct Site Surveys in early project stage

7. Types of RF Surveys
Demo Only
Theoretical
Physical

8. Example Survey Result Station Colors Yellow – Master Blue – Existing
Green – Phase 1
Red – Phase 2

9. Section: Survey Types

10. Survey Type: Demo Only Data-Linc/Distributor provide demo equipment
Conducted in the field
Rapid equipment setup and test
For:
Small, straight forward projects
Indoor or short range outdoor projects with significant LOS interference
Examples:
RF path is from building to building through interior and exterior walls
Moving equipment around obstacles in the warehouse
A mile through trees

11. Survey Type: Theoretical
Theoretical – Mostly performed in the office
For most outdoor, multiple station projects
Requires prior collection of site coordinates
Only as accurate as maps and coordinates provided
No visibility of trees, vegetation, buildings and other such RF obstacles
Can be performed
Manually: using maps, compass, pen and paper
Semi-automatically: using RF computer programs

12. Survey Type: Physical Physical – Always performed in the field
Demo only survey is a quick physical survey
For almost all projects and typically uses demo equipment
Must have a repeatable plan for study of each site to
Collect radio performance data
Prove the theoretical study by confirming RF quality
Possible Requirements:
Radios, coax and antennas to build a test network
Temporary installation of “fixed” equipment
A vehicle to be a radio site on wheels
Radio equipment, laptop, GPS and power
A means of achieving expected antenna heights

13. Survey Steps Step 1 – Preliminary Data Collection
Step 2 – RF Network Design
Step 3 – Theoretical Survey
Step 4 – Physical Survey
Step 5 – Complete Summary Report

14. Section: RF Survey Steps

15. Step 1 - Collect Information
Project scope and Implementation Plans
Identify Key contacts
Potential Competition
Cost targets
Timelines

16. Step 1 - Collect Information (1)
Obtain Topographic Maps
Identify all sites - existing and future
Station Name
Station Purpose
GPS Coordinates with altitude
Identify possible repeater sites
Identify potential RF noise sources
Identify inter-site process relationships

17. Step 2 -RF Network Design
Determine RF band
Determine level of redundancy
Develop Network Architecture
Keep inter-site processes on the same radio network
Estimate system response times
Estimate data throughput requirements
Estimate amount of data
Estimate data update rates
Partition network as required to
Improve response times
Reduce failure vulnerabilities

18. Step 2 - RF Network Example

19. Step 2 - Station List Example
City “B” Network
Function
Link To
Name
Long
Lat
Elev
Master NA
521/531 Chlor
xxx°xx‘xx"W
xx°xx‘xx"N
106.0m
Slave
519 SS
12.0m
520 SS
10.0m
522/532 WPS
65.0m
541 TP
23.0m
Chilco Res
151.0m
Robert Str Res
Rptr/Slv
517 PS
43.0m
503 Chlor
148.0m

20. Step 3 - Theoretical Survey
Using maps and station location data
For each wireless network
Plot all locations
Plot desired RF links
Resolve LOS issues or weak RF links by
Adjusting antenna types and height, or
Convert slaves to repeater slaves, or
Find new repeater sites
Repeat above steps till satisfied
Create Reports
Cross-sectional Drawings
Calculate RF quality for each path
Make recomendations

21. Step 3 - Map Example

22. Step 3 – Cross-section Example

23. Step 4 - Physical Survey Decide on test plan Install fixed equipment
Apply plan consistently
Determine testing technique
Radio loopback
Use User Equipment
Method to record test results
Install fixed equipment
Prepare mobile remote
Prepare report
Record results and observations
Make recommendations

24. Step 4 – A Data Collection Form
This Location:
Operating Mode:
Master
Antenna Test Height:
20 meters
Expected Antenna Type:
Yagi
Estimated Final Coax Length:
75 feet
RF Sources:
Source Name
Signal Level
Noise Level
% Rcv Rate
Notes:
Conclusions:

25. Accessing SRM RF Path Statistics
From Main Menu choose option 4
MODEM STATISTICS
Master-Slave Distance(m)
Number of Disconnects 0
Radio Temperature
Antenna Reflected Power 0
Transmit Current (mA) 0000
Local Remote1 Remote2 Remote3
J dBm dBm dBm dBm
Noise
Signal
Rate % 85
5E49F2
Press <Ret> for Freq Table, <Esc> to return to main menu

26. Thank You!