User's Manual

PMP 450 Planning Guide
Analyzing the RF Environment
pmp-0047 (June 2013)
2-21
Analyzing the spectrum
To use the built-in spectrum analyzer functionality of the SM (or AP that is temporarily configured as an SM for
spectrum analysis via the AP’s GUI) proceed as follows:
Procedure 3 Analyzing the spectrum
1
Predetermine a power source and interface that will work for the SM in the area you want to analyze.
2
Take the SM, power source, and interface device to the area.
3
Access the Tools web page of the SM.
RESULT: The Tools page opens to its Spectrum Analyzer tab.
4
Click Enable.
RESULT: The feature is enabled.
5
Click Enable again.
RESULT: The system measures RSSI and dBm for each frequency in the spectrum.
6
Travel to another location in the area.
7
Click Enable again.
RESULT: The system provides a new measurement of RSSI and dBm for each frequency in the
spectrum.
Spectrum analysis mode times out 15 minutes after the mode was invoked.
8
Repeat Steps 6 and 7 until the area has been adequately scanned and logged.
As with any other data that pertains to your business, a decision today to put the data into a retrievable database
may grow in value to you over time.
Wherever you find the measured noise level is greater than the sensitivity of the radio that you plan to deploy, use
the noise level (rather than the link budget) for your link feasibility calculations.