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Spectrum Graph

The spectrum graph indicates an excessive and problematic 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi environment in a hotel hallway, characterized by high density and significant co-channel and adjacent-channel interference. The strong signal strengths and widespread use of overlapping channels suggest poor channel planning, which can severely impact Wi-Fi performance for guests. Recommendations include prioritizing the 5 GHz band, optimizing 2.4 GHz settings, and conducting a full site survey for better coverage and capacity management.

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2 views4 pages

Spectrum Graph

The spectrum graph indicates an excessive and problematic 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi environment in a hotel hallway, characterized by high density and significant co-channel and adjacent-channel interference. The strong signal strengths and widespread use of overlapping channels suggest poor channel planning, which can severely impact Wi-Fi performance for guests. Recommendations include prioritizing the 5 GHz band, optimizing 2.4 GHz settings, and conducting a full site survey for better coverage and capacity management.

Uploaded by

mudassir.azam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Is the below spectrum graph typical for hallway installed AP's in hotels?

Or does this seem


excessive? Appreciate any insights.?

Let's analyze the provided Ekahau spectrum graph to determine if it's typical for hotel hallway
Wi-Fi or if it indicates excessive density/interference.

**Analysis of the Spectrum Graph:**

* **Band:** The X-axis shows channels 1 through 11, which clearly indicates this is the **2.4
GHz Wi-Fi band**.

* **Y-axis:** Represents signal strength in dBm, ranging from -25 dBm (very strong) to -90 dBm
(very weak).

* **Color Overlay (Yellow, Orange, Red):** This signifies the intensity and presence of RF
energy.

* **Yellow:** Highest power levels, indicating strong signals or high activity.

* **Orange:** Moderate power levels.

* **Red:** Lower power levels, approaching the noise floor.

* **Blue Dots:** These typically represent the signal strength of the strongest Wi-Fi signal
detected on that specific frequency or channel from your survey device's perspective.

* **Grey Overlays:** These outline the standard 20 MHz channel widths and their significant
overlap. Notice how channels 1, 6, and 11 are the only truly non-overlapping 20 MHz channels.

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**Interpretation for a Hotel Hallway Environment:**

1. **High Density of Signals:**

* The graph shows significant RF energy (yellow and orange) across **all** 2.4 GHz channels
(1 through 11). This is a strong indicator of a high density of Wi-Fi access points (APs) and/or
client devices operating in this band.

* You can see distinct peaks around channels 1, 6, and 11, which are the commonly used non-
overlapping channels. However, there is also substantial energy present on the *overlapping*
channels (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10).

2. **Signal Strength:**

* The peak signal strengths are in the -55 dBm to -60 dBm range, which is quite strong. This
suggests you are relatively close to several APs.

3. **Co-channel and Adjacent-channel Interference:**

* The presence of strong signals on **multiple non-overlapping channels (1, 6, 11) within the
same immediate vicinity** means these APs are interfering with each other. This is known as
**co-channel interference (CCI)**.

* Even more concerning is the significant amount of energy on the **overlapping channels
(e.g., channel 2, 3, 4 overlapping with channel 1, and 7, 8, 9 overlapping with channel 6).** This
is **adjacent-channel interference (ACI)**, which is particularly detrimental to Wi-Fi
performance as it's harder for radios to filter out.

**Conclusion:**

**This spectrum graph is indeed indicative of an excessive and problematic 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
environment for a hotel hallway.**

Here's why:

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* **Excessive Density & Interference:** While it's common for hotels to have many APs for
coverage, this graph shows a very "noisy" 2.4 GHz environment. The high power levels across
nearly all channels, especially the overlapping ones, signify significant co-channel and adjacent-
channel interference.

* **Poor Channel Planning (Likely):** The widespread use of overlapping channels suggests
that either APs are auto-selecting channels poorly, or there hasn't been a proper manual
channel plan implemented that strictly adheres to channels 1, 6, and 11 in a repeating pattern.

* **Performance Impact:** This level of interference will severely impact Wi-Fi performance
for guests. They will experience:

* **High Retry Rates:** Devices will need to retransmit data frequently due to collisions.

* **Lower Throughput:** Actual data speeds will be much lower than theoretical maximums.

* **Increased Latency:** Delays in communication.

* **Unreliable Connections:** Dropped connections or difficulty connecting.

* **High Airtime Utilization:** The airwaves are constantly busy with competing signals,
leaving less time for actual data transmission.

**Recommendations based on this graph:**

1. **Prioritize 5 GHz:** Encourage or force clients to use the 5 GHz band whenever possible, as
it has more non-overlapping channels and is less congested. Many modern client devices
support 5 GHz.

2. **2.4 GHz Optimization:**

* **Strictly enforce 20 MHz channel width:** Never use 40 MHz in 2.4 GHz in a dense
environment like this.

* **Implement a strict channel plan using only 1, 6, and 11.** Ensure APs are positioned and
configured to minimize CCI between APs on the same channel.

* **Reduce Transmit Power:** Lowering the transmit power of the 2.4 GHz radios on the APs
can help contain their signal footprint, reducing interference to neighboring APs and improving
cell planning. The goal is just enough power for adequate coverage, not maximum power.

* **Disable Lower Data Rates:** This can help improve efficiency, but requires careful
consideration of client compatibility.

3. **Conduct a Full Site Survey:** This single graph is a snapshot. A comprehensive site survey
with more measurements and a heatmap will provide a full picture of coverage, capacity, and

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interference throughout the hotel.

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