If you’re in the process of implementing a Wi-Fi network, you have read or heard about the importance of a Wi-Fi heat map or Spectrum Analysis. What does it mean to create a Wi-Fi heat map or Analyze the Wi-Fi spectrum?

Let’s start with heat maps. A Wireless Heat map is the graphical representation of the Access Point radio signal coverage over a physical area. In other words, during the planning of Wi-Fi network implementation, Wi-Fi network engineers evaluate the location of the network and, using a Wi-Fi heatmap application, can determine the best possible location for the Access Points based on the results output of the application. The process is simple and straightforward. You upload or create a floor plan of the location to the application, drop in Access Points at various points on the floor plan, and let the application do the calculations. The application’s output will show you the area where the signal is the strongest and how it dissipates across the floor, creating Wi-Fi coverage and dead zones.

Wi-Fi heat maps are a great planning tool but should be used with a broad understanding of how Network and Wireless technologies work. There are many more factors that must be considered that are not addressed by the heat map. Physical obstacles, construction materials, and wireless utilizations are factors that a heatmap does not account for; this is the Wi-Fi engineer’s responsibility to look at the whole picture when planning a Wireless implementation.

A Spectrum Analysis, on the other hand, has the ability to look at radio signals emitting actively

at any given time over the wireless spectrum. As you’re able to see the background signals from your Wireless network and other devices in the vicinity, you’ll be able to identify signal interference not seen by regular Wi-Fi scanners. To perform a Wireless Spectrum Analysis, you need special equipment capable of seeing raw wireless communication; it is especially useful when wireless networks do not perform as desired even when there’s enough Wi-Fi signal coverage. Actually, people believe that because they have a strong signal from the Access Points, they should not have any issue, but the truth is that you can have a poorly performed Wi-Fi network with powerful signals.

As Wireless experts in Northern NJ and NYC, we perform both heatmap and Wireless network analysis. Whether you’re planning a new implementation or need to troubleshoot the Wi-Fi in your existing network environment, you can count on us to provide the support and help you need.

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