Nortel Networks NN43001-504 manual Walk-through and survey, RF transmission testing

44Planning

cases, a room originally built for a specific purpose, such as a radiology lab, can be converted into something completely different, such as a conference room. The blueprint can also show areas proposed for future building expansion.

•Mark possible wireless handset usage locations on the blueprint and refer to the marked blueprint during the physical walk-through and inventory.

Walk-through and survey

Conduct a physical walk-through and survey:

•Document any items or materials near a proposed AP location that might interfere with reception or transmission and affect wireless handset performance, such as metal shelving.

•Document stock and inventory levels, current environmental conditions, and any materials that can interfere with wireless handset transmissions.

•Walk around the site with a site survey tool before installing APs. Use two portable computers with wireless hardware operating on a point-to-point basis. Using diagnostic software provided by the AP vendor, a coverage area for a potential AP can be determined by keeping one portable computer in one place and moving around with the other computer. Check with the vendor as to what tools are provided and what approach is recommended for deploying their APs.

RF transmission testing

After the APs are installed and configured, measure the strength of the Radio Frequency (RF) transmissions. Signal strength testing ensures that all usage areas have adequate coverage. This can be performed in two ways.

1.Use the handsets to determine AP signal strength using the Site Survey mode.

2.Use two portable computers with wireless hardware operating on a point-to-point basis. Using diagnostic software provided by the AP vendor, a coverage area for a potential AP can be determined by keeping one portable computer in one place and moving around with the other computer. Check with the vendor as to which tools are provided and which approach is recommended for deploying their APs.

Adjust the APs as needed.

Example of AP placement

Figure 4 "Sample AP placement diagram for b radio" (page 45) is an example of an AP placement diagram based on the results of a site survey.

Nortel Communication Server 1000

WLAN IP Telephony Installation and Commissioning

NN43001-504 01.02 Standard

Release 5.0 15 June 2007

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