User's Manual

Diagramming Network Layouts
Planning considerations
2-32
pmp-0047 (June 2013)
Avoiding Other Interference
Where signal strength cannot dominate noise levels, the network experiences
 packet errors and retransmissions.
 lower throughput (because bandwidth is consumed by retransmissions) and high latency (due to resends).
Regular spectrum analysis is critical to RF planning. The integrated spectrum analyzer can be very useful as a tool
for troubleshooting and RF planning, but is not intended to replicate the accuracy and programmability of a high-
end spectrum analyzer, which you may sometime need for other purposes.
When you enable the Spectrum Analyzer on a module, it enters a scan mode and drops any RF connection it may
have had. Scanning mode ends when either you click Disable on the Spectrum Analyzer page, or it times out after
15 minutes and returns to operational mode.
For this reason:
1. do not enable the spectrum analyzer on a module you are connected to via RF. The connection will drop for
15 minutes, and when the connection is re-established no readings will be displayed.
2. be advised that, if you enable the spectrum analyzer by Ethernet connection, the RF connection to that module
drops.
You can use any module to see the frequency and power level of any detectable signal that is within, just above, or
just below the frequency band range of the module.
Vary the days and times when you analyze the spectrum in an area.
The RF environment can change throughout the day or throughout the week.