On-site RF data collection
Passive Wireless Site Survey
A passive wireless survey captures real-world RF conditions throughout an existing environment without connecting the survey device to the wireless network or generating test traffic.
What it is
A passive survey is performed on-site using professional RF survey equipment. The engineer walks the defined survey paths while the equipment listens to wireless activity across the supported frequency bands.
The survey captures actual RF conditions from the deployed wireless environment, including coverage, signal quality, access point visibility, channel usage, and interference characteristics.
Because the survey device does not need to authenticate to the network, passive surveys are well suited for coverage assessments, health checks, troubleshooting, post-change reviews, and documentation of an existing wireless environment.
How it works
- Step 01
Prepare Floor Plans
Calibrate drawings, confirm survey boundaries, and define the survey path.
- Step 02
Collect On-Site RF Data
Walk the facility using professional RF survey equipment.
- Step 03
Analyze Wireless Conditions
Evaluate coverage, signal quality, channel overlap, noise, and interference.
- Step 04
Document Findings
Produce heatmaps, observations, and engineering recommendations.
What it captures
Available measurements may vary based on the survey platform, wireless environment, frequency bands, and project scope.
Signal Strength
Measures received wireless signal levels throughout the surveyed environment.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Evaluates the relationship between usable wireless signal and the surrounding RF noise floor.
Noise Floor
Measures background RF energy that may affect wireless performance.
Access Point Coverage
Identifies which access points and radios are visible in different areas of the facility.
Channel Utilization and Overlap
Evaluates channel reuse, co-channel contention, and potential adjacent-channel concerns.
Wi-Fi and RF Interference
Identifies conditions that may contribute to inconsistent coverage or degraded wireless performance.
When it is recommended
- Existing wireless coverage concerns
- User-reported connectivity issues
- Wireless health assessments
- Pre-refresh environment reviews
- Post-configuration-change verification
- Documentation of the current RF environment
Explore other survey options
Different objectives call for different survey types. Explore the other options in the wireless survey portfolio.