Site survey for voice deployement

[aleopoldie]

Hello experts,

I've read that to perform a good site survey for voice deployment, we need to ensure having cells at -67dBm and around 15-20% channel overlap.

But how to make sure of that ?

Do we need to walk around an AP until we reach -67 dBm, and then we change the AP position ? In that case, how is it possible to define these 15-20% overlap ?

Thank you,

[patoberli]

There is software which can emulate this, but yes, you need to walk around and use that specific software.
I suggest you hire a specialized company for this, as the software requires some experience to correctly use and interpret the results.
You sure you want a voice deployment on Wi-Fi and not make a company contract with a mobile phone operator? That is usually way cheaper and doesn't require special phones and is often even more stable.

[aleopoldie]

I am using AirMagnet, I'm used to perform a site survey for data/guest, but not I'm not used to make a survey for voice ...  In my case the survey to perform is in industrial environment, in a factory to be specific. Can we emulate 15-20% overlap in Airmagnet ?

Do you recommend to do it with a special AP ? Internal antennas ? External omni/directionnal antennas ?

[Leo Laohoo]

Do you have detailed map of the site?  Details will include a types of walls and other obstacles which can cause attenuation?  

[aleopoldie]

Yes I have an autocad map with all details, I am just wondering how to make sure having 15-20% of channel overlap, and which hardware (AP and type of antennas) I need to use

A.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

Site survey software, like AirMagnet or Ekahau, might be easy to use but without proper training you could also easily make mistakes. 

There are several youtube videos about how to use them.  Check them out. 

[aleopoldie]

Leo,

is it necessary to test every type of AP and antenna during the survey ?

i mean, if we need a mix of omni antennas, directional antennas, indoor APs and outdoor APs, do we need to carry 1 indoor AP, 1 outdoor AP, 1 omni antenna, 1 directional antenna and so on?

or can we make the survey just with 1 type like omni?

[Leo Laohoo]

Each model of AP & antenna have different radiating pattern (aka footprint).
I'm not familiar with AirMagnet anymore but Ekahau Site Survey (aka ESS) have a long list of APs and different types of antennas in it's database.
If done properly, ESS can accurately plan the placement of the APs without setting foot in the site.