Physical Site Assessment Services

Perspective On
Physical Site Assessment Services

Evaluating Construction Characteristics, Mounting Locations, and Cable Paths
Although on-site Physical Site Assessment services that were offered through Connect802 Corporation prior to 2020 are no longer available
we felt it was valuable to leave this information on-line as a reference. Please contact Maui Communications Networks if you have any questions.

What is a Physical Site Assessment and why is it important?
When creating an 802.11n, 802.11ac, or 802.11ax WiFi wireless network design, access point layout, and installation plan, it's critical that the specific construction characteristics of a site are properly evaluated. Not only are there factors relating to RF signal attenuation and reflection but site aesthetics, cable paths, wiring closet locations, and power sources need to be considered. These are the goals of a Physical Site Assessment. 

How is a Physical Site Assessment performed?
A engineer arrives on-site and, typically, meets with a site representative to discuss the project, call out areas of specific concern, and get a perspective on the overall proposed WLAN system. Typically, a preliminary design plan has been created in advance of the on-site Physical Site Assessment. Mounting locations selected in the preliminary design are inspected and often photographed as part of the creation of a set of Installer's Working Plans. In almost every case, the on-site work includes other pre-deployment services such as a WiFi Site Survey or RF Spectrum Analysis.

In what ways does a Physical Site Assessment help with the installation phase of a project?
Having the results of a Physical Site Assessment in hand facilitates the planning and installation phase of WiFi implementation. Potential problem issues can be addressed proactively and stake-holder concerns regarding 802.11 WiFi network installation can be addressed up-front. Each Physical Site Assessment engagement is uniquely targeted to address specific issues that are brought up during preliminary discussions about a project. There is no single set of deliverables that is part of all Physical Site Assessment work - your's will be unique to your requirements. Here are some examples of WiFi network installation challenges that can be addressed during a Physical Site Assessment.

What is the cost of a Physical Site Assessment?
In almost every case the Physical Site Assessment components of an 802.11n, 802.11ac, or 802.11ax WiFi design and implementation project are part of a larger on-site consulting and engineering engagement. The Connect802 engineer will typically be performing a WiFi Site Survey and may also be performing RF Spectrum Analysis as their main work effort. As the engineer moves through the site the elements of the Physical Site Assessment are performed. In the case of a Unique Construction Assessment or Detailed Construction Characteristics Assessment there may be additional dedicated work effort as part of the Physical Site Assessment. Pricing becomes part of the overall on-site services price provided in a price quote for the project inasmuch as the Physical Site Assessment work adds to the required time and work effort. Physical Site Assessment services, as described below, include:
  • Basic Physical Site Assessment
  • Photo-Documentation
  • Unique Construction Assessment
  • Site Aesthetics Coordination
  • Site Cabling Overview
  • Detailed Construction Characteristics Assessment

List of Services

Perspective On Physical Site Assessment
A wireless network design starts with the establishment of system requirements. While things like WLAN capacity, user density, throughput expectations and security typically come to mind there are another set of requirements that also must be considered. Whether it's an outdoor stadium, a school classroom, an office building, or a warehouse; the physical characteristics of the site, the type of building construction, and concerns regarding the aesthetics of installation impact the WLAN design requirements establishment process. One of the first steps in developing a WiFi wireless network design, and the step that underlies the creation of Installer's Working installation plans, is to perform a walk-through of the installation site to evaluate the physical characteristics of the environment. 

You need to know what your building is made of. Before installing a wireless network you need to physically assess the building. Dense building materials like poured concrete walls, filled cinder blocks, brick, rock walls, adobe or stucco construction can significantly increase the RF attenuation of partitions in a building and reduce the strength and range of a wireless signal. This results in a requirement for a greater number of access points in an 802.11 WiFi design. As you increase increase the number of access points needed to ensure a consistent, reliable connection with sufficient throughput you reach a point where the access point density is so great that channel overlap and co-channel interference causes system failure. You can't just add access points indefinitely with a hope that "more is better". 

A physical wireless LAN site assessment is the first step in the design process for creating a wireless LAN that meets the desired operational specifications. When  a Physical Site Assessment is performed the on-site engineer will evaluate your offices, classrooms, manufacturing facilities, outdoor areas, and other parts of your facility to quantify the WiFi related RF characteristics of the in-scope areas. Proposed locations for wireless access points will be examined for suitability and aesthetic correctness. In order to develop a design plan with optimal placement of access points it's necessary to understand the construction characteristics of the buildings as well as the options and limitations related to mounting and installation. 

It's with a WiFi site survey, including RF spectrum analysis, that the upfront assessment addresses RF coverage, interference, and the behavior of the wireless environment from an RF perspective. The Physical Site Assessment is the planning phase where data on which the overall design is based. The structured cabling and switch/router infrastructure, while implied by AP locations in the Installer's Working Plans, remain the responsibility of the local IT department. 
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