A Deeper Dive on Wi-Fi and Related Solutions Cabco Offers

This deeper dive post covers the basics to the optimization of Wi-Fi networks, common interference that corrupt Wi-Fi signals, and different solutions we offer here at Cabco.

What is Wi-Fi?

Wireless connectivity, often known as Wi-Fi, is the technology that allows a PC, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet device to connect at high speed to the internet without the need for a physical wired connection. Wi-Fi (pronounced “Why-Fy”) is a term that was coined by a branding company in 1999 as a name that would be easily recalled due to its similarity to the then well-known term “hi-fi”.

The technology uses radio signals to transmit information between your Wi-Fi enabled devices and the internet, allowing the device to receive information from the web in the same way that a radio or mobile phone receives sound.

Bunch of characterized people working on the Wi-Fi signal

How does it work?

A small device known as a wireless transmitter, or hub, is required; this device receives information from the internet via your home broadband connection. This transmitter (often referred to as a Wireless Access Point, or WAP) then converts this information into radio waves and emits it, effectively creating a small, local area around itself, within which your devices can receive these radio signals if they are fitted with the correct kind of wireless adapter. This area is often termed a Wireless Local Area Network, or WLAN for short.

What is some common interference that corrupts Wi-fi signals?

Various kinds of interference corrupt Wi-Fi signals. Common interference sources are:

  • Wireless video cameras

  • Microwaves

  • Bluetooth

  • Another Wi-Fi network

  • Cordless phones

To find the source of interference, our engineers use directional antennas in conjunction with the spectrum analysis application. The application will measure the area and plot the interfering signal pattern on the screen and its strength. The process is not as easy as the engineer has to distinguish the noise from other valid signals. This is why the directional antenna is used to help pinpoint the location of the interference.

A person with a network web floating on his palm hand

Solutions we Offer

Here at Cabco, we offer a variety of solutions related to Wi-Fi, and these include:

  • Spectrum Analysis

  • Heat Mapping & Network Design (active, passive, and predictive surveys)

  • Post Installation and Current WLAN Verification

Spectrum analysis

The radio signals aren’t very powerful, which is why the Wi-Fi signal doesn’t travel very far. It will travel far enough to provide coverage throughout the average home and or small office. 

One of the critical steps that a WLAN engineer can take to improve Wi-Fi performance is to conduct a spectrum analysis, which is a method for visualizing the radio frequency in a surveyed area and determining a signal’s strength. In addition to seeing that strength, a spectrum analyzer can find interference that negatively impacts wireless performance.

Wi-Fi spectrum analysis is performed before deployment or on poorly performing WLANs; spectrum analysis finds interference that may affect a wireless deployment. Our engineers can find the interference and either remove it or design around it. After deployment, spectrum analysis determines whether interference exists, and engineers often use it for troubleshooting when a WLAN performs poorly. Spectrum analysis can help optimize a Wi-Fi network by finding the interfering transmitter.

Spectrum analysis will ask questions like:

  • Do you have a wireless network that used to perform well and maybe no longer does?

  • Do you notice that during certain times of day, your connectivity is affected?

  • Have you lost connectivity in an area where you had connectivity before?

Heat mapping & Network Design

A Wi-Fi heatmap is a visual representation of the wireless signal coverage and strength. Wi-Fi heatmaps are generally overlaid on top of a building or facility floorplan by our in house designers for your exact application. With different techniques, we can design a high performing WLAN for your Office, Factory, School, Hospital, or Building plan using the following:

  • Active Survey

An active WiFi survey is when a surveying device is connected to the Wi-Fi network and records signal measurements based on the connection’s performance. Active surveys are used to troubleshoot Wi-Fi networks. This type of survey also allows for various other metrics to be measured, such as ping round-trip-time (RTT)

  • Passive Survey (Recommended)

A passive Wi-Fi survey is when the surveying device is not connected to any Wi-Fi network and is only listening to the Wi-Fi environment. Typically, these survey’s software is configured to scan specific channels and Wi-Fi networks to measure signal strength and noise levels. Also, during site visits, other potential issues are planed for like:

  • Do the current switches provide the Proper POE?

  • Are the networks large enough to support the increased client capacity?

  • Will the existing cabling support the new equipment?

  • Are the current switches capable of the increased throughput?

  • Can we increase security with the existing equipment?

  • Predictive Survey

A predictive survey is most commonly used when a design is needed on a build that is currently under construction or even just in the planning phase, this type of survey can be done with as little as the building plans and the materials used for construction. While not being as accurate as a passive or active survey, predictive surveys can be the most cost-effective as no time on site is required.

An image with four different photos that portrays people staying connected using wi-fi

Post Install & Current WLAN Verification

Verification and optimization services validate a network to ensure that it meets the initial network design. Over time things can change; new tenants can move into the area with different WLAN settings that can negatively affect your WLAN’s performance. Or there could be misconfigurations in the current design, or maybe your aged, or brand new WLAN was not properly designed before its deployment. Verification can find these issues, and we can build a comprehensive report on the data collected to ensure you are getting the most from your WLAN.  

The verification service confirms the following.

  • Wi-Fi coverage areas

  • Application capacity

  • Authentication

  • Wi-Fi roaming

  • QoS - Quality of Service

  • And much more…

Make Connections that Matter!

After reading this article, if you still have more questions regarding our Wi-Fi solutions or just simply want to learn more about it, contact our sales team (sales@cabco.ca or 1-800-675-4025) and experience the benefits of our Wi-Fi solutions.

SalesCabco Communications Group