Wireless Site Survey System for RF Attenuation Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing wireless networks in heterogeneous environments is challenging due to unpredictable radio frequency wave propagation, leading to inaccuracies in predicting the number and placement of wireless access points, resulting in costly revisions and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for conducting wireless site surveys using systematic measurements of RF wave propagation, calculating attenuation values, and generating a site profile to determine the optimal placement and number of wireless access points, allowing for remote network design by professionals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a predictive survey is used to estimate RF wave propagation, then the network design process is simplified and faster, but the accuracy of access point placement and coverage prediction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork design speedVSAvoidRF propagation prediction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary site surveys by collecting RF signal strength measurements at multiple locations before final network design. This preliminary data collection enables accurate prediction of RF propagation characteristics without requiring multiple iterative trial-and-error deployments, thus resolving the contradiction between design speed and prediction accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses measured signal strength values from site surveys as feedback to calculate and refine attenuation values for different environmental features. This feedback loop allows the system to learn actual propagation characteristics and improve coverage predictions, achieving both speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If a live site survey with professional network designers is conducted, then the accuracy of coverage pattern measurement is improved, but the time consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage pattern measurement accuracyVSAvoidsite survey duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service site surveys where automated devices collect RF measurements and the software automatically processes the data to generate coverage patterns and calculate attenuation values. This eliminates the need for professional network designers to manually perform measurements and analysis, reducing time and cost while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the manual mechanical process of professional site surveys with an automated electronic system that uses wireless devices to collect measurements and software to process data. This substitution maintains measurement accuracy while dramatically reducing the time and expertise required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If multiple iterations of live site surveys are performed to optimize access point locations, then the network coverage quality is improved, but the productivity and efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverage qualityVSAvoidnetwork design efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary site surveys that collect comprehensive RF measurement data across the entire site before final access point placement decisions are made. This preliminary action provides accurate propagation data that enables optimal access point location determination in a single planning phase, eliminating the need for multiple iterative surveys and improving both coverage quality and design efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach provides accurate and cost-effective wireless network design by systematically measuring signal strength and assigning attenuation values to environmental features, reducing the need for trial-and-error methods and professional site visits.

Implementation Method 1

Environmental factors can affect the propagation of radio frequency (RF) waves. For example, walls, doors, windows, and the like can reflect, refract, and attenuate RF waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Each structural material may be correspond to an expected attenuation value that the designer may consider when estimating the coverage pattern for the wireless access points

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9532233B2System and method for conducting wireless site surveys

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 CAMBIUM NETWORKS

AI summary

A method for surveying a site for installation of wireless access points is provided. A map of the site under survey is displayed. User input relating to the position of a first wireless device at the site is received. User input relating to the position of a second wireless device at the site is also received. Wireless signals broadcast by the second wireless device are measured using the first wireless device to obtain signal strength values corresponding to the strength of the wireless signals. Attenuation values based on the signal strength values are calculated and assigned to features on the map of the site under survey.