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Wi-Fi Design

CRITICAL DESIGN ASPECTS

1. Primary Coverage Goal

OBJECTIVES

▶ Provide Wi-Fi service in all required location

▶ High-quality signal strength

▶ Maintain high data rates

RESULTS

▶ Improve airtime efficiency

▶ Improve density handling

2. Secondary Coverage Goal

OBJECTIVES

▶ Provide coverage for 2APs in each location

RESULTS

▶ Improve client roaming

▶ Low latency roaming for real-time application

▶ Redundancy for AP failure

3. Capacity Plan

High Client Density

Low Client Density

CONSIDERATIONS

▶ More spectrum in 5 GHz provides up to 8x the capacity of 2.4 GHz

▶ Understand client mix

▶ Client offered load/ SLA

▶ Model airtime demand

▶ Understand airtime saturation limits (80% BE, 50% BE/VO/VI, 35% VO)

RESULTS

▶ Optimal number of APs

▶ Proper client distribution between 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz

▶ Leave idle airtime for growth

Client Device Efficiency

4. Minimize Interference

OBJECTIVES

▶ Isolate APs on the same channel

▶Reduce shared airtime

▶ Limit contention domains

▶ Eliminate external interference

RESULTS

▶ Minimize co-channel interference (CCI) and adjacent channel interference (ACI) between APs on the same or overlapping channels

▶ Ideally, only one AP audible on each channel in a physical location

▶ Ideally, remove sources of external RF interference or avoid impacted channels if they cannot be removed

HIGH-PERFORMANCE WI-FI TIPS & TRICKS

1. Design for 5 GHz as Primary

▶ The 5 GHz band provides 8 times the capacity of 2.4 GHz

2. Define Coverage Goal(s)

▶ Too aggressive can lead to co-channel interference

▶ Too conservative can lead to poor client performance

3. Place APs Where Users Are Located

▶ In-room placement is best for client performance

▶ Avoid hallways, if possible unless required for voice roaming

4. Tailor Coverage to the Facility

▶ Leverage RF obstructions for frequency re-use

▶ Consider proper antennas and orientation for signal propagation

5. Fine Tune AP Power Levels

▶ Align with on-site signal measurements of RF propagation

▶ Align with AP density and frequency re-use requirements

6. Disable 2.4 GHz Radios if Necessary

▶ There are fewer available channels in 2.4 GHz

▶ Disabling radios can prevent co-channel interference and shared capacity between clients

▶ Some APs allow switching 2.4 GHz radio to 5 GHz

7. Design and Validate with Representative Client Devices

▶ Spot-check with actual client devices to ensure the design matches actual client performance

▶ Alternatively, measure with a standard RF site survey adapter and compensate the signal based on the actual client device characteristics

8. Higher AP Density Requires Smaller Channel Widths

▶ Reduces co-channel interference and shared capacity between clients

▶ Reduces client contention and improves network stability

9. Disable Low Data Rates to Improve Performance

▶ 802.11b clients can significantly impact network performance

▶ Reduces overhead from management frames and broadcast/multicast traffic

10. Minimized the Number of SSIDs

▶ Network overhead increases with each SSID defined

RF DESIGN PROCESS

1. GATHER REQUIREMENTS

▶ Blueprints/ CAD drawings

▶ Coverage areas

▶ Facility layouts & construction materials

▶ Client number and mix

▶ Client density distribution

▶ Critical applications/ business process

2. PRE-INSTALLATION DESIGN

▶ Predictive modeling

▶ Wall attenuation measurements

▶ “AP on a stick” measurement

▶ Wired network integration

3. POST INSTALLATION VALIDATION

▶ RF site survey (passive/ active/ spectrum)

▶ RF tuning channel and power plans

▶ Association and authentication tests

▶ Roaming tests

▶ Spectrum analysis

We, at MEC, can help you achieve that with the help of Ekahau Wireless Design products.

Talk to us for inquiries or for FREE product consultation.