AirMagnet Spectrum ES

Rich Spectrum Graphs

FFT
AirMagnet Spectrum ES’ FFT graphs provide a real-time view into the RF energy in the environment with current, max, max-hold and average RF signal levels.
Next generation visualization enhancements include:

• Visualization of Data/Voice events: Visualize the occurrence of GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA and LTE events as they occur in the networks.
• Carrier Blocks display: Visualize the Telco carriers that are operating in that frequency range. This quick overlay overcomes traditional spectrum analyzer challenges of quickly and accurately recognizing the frequencies used by the carriers at a particular location.
• Band Blocks: Visualize band block description for the specific frequency range. This quick overlay overcomes traditional spectrum analyzer limitations of quickly and accurately recognizing the technologies that are in use at a particular location.

Spectrum Density
The Spectrum Density Graph provides a longer-term view into the network by displaying live information on the signals that are common during the current capture session. This is helpful to identify infrequent transmitters.

Spectrogram
The Spectrogram graph provides a scrolling history of the RF environment and allows a visual understanding of the spectrum over time to see intermittent spikes or bursts of RF energy that may be causing network problems

Figure 1: Visualize RF energy across the spectrum

Figure 2: The Data/Voice event window provides a visual presentation of real-time data/voice events that are taking place in a particular frequency range

Figure 3: Longer term view into the network using the Spectrum Density Graphs

Figure 4: Scrolling history of the RF environment using the Spectrogram

Figure 5: Frequency Duty Cycle shows how long an interfering signal is present in a particular frequency range

Frequency Duty Cycle
The Duty Cycle graph displays how often an interfering signal is present in a particular frequency range. A high duty cycle could mean an interferer is constantly transmitting and will most certainly cause problems in that frequency range.

Capture, Save and Share Spectrum Trace Files
AirMagnet Spectrum ES users can save their RF spectrum scans, retain them as hard evidence and play them back at a later time for post-capture investigation and analysis. This is very helpful as critical forensic information while investigating or troubleshooting. These saved traces can also be shared across the organization for escalations and collaborative troubleshooting.

Figure 6: Capture, save and share spectrum trace files for escalations and retaining as forensic evidence.

Automated Scan Frequency Sorting and Selection
AirMagnet Spectrum ES provides multiple options for the user to visualize the spectrum, including:

• Sort by technology
• Sort by carrier
• Custom range
• Scan all bands

AirMagnet Spectrum ES automates frequency/technology lookup for carriers worldwide. Reducing the need to look up correct frequency ranges for each location helps eliminate error-prone paper-pen methods. AirMagnet Spectrum ES automatically obtains location-based frequency/technology information from the FCC database for US carriers and includes built-in frequency information for 30+ countries worldwide. An all-bands option may be used if a country is not supported in the list or a custom frequency is desired.

Automatic Identification and Location of Interference Sources
A common misconception is that licensed bands (for example, cellular bands) experience very minimal interference that can impact the performance and operation of the network and its operating devices. These interference sources can be intentional or non-intentional and in most situations render the network un-operational. Timely and accurate detection and location of these interference sources is critical to ensuring user satisfaction with network performance. Automating this effort goes a long way toward minimizing the time, effort and money associated with this activity.

Figure 7: Choose to sort/view information based on your preferences.

Figure 8: Sort information by technology.

AirMagnet Spectrum ES offers the industry’s only real-time detection and identification of interference sources that lower the performance of these licensed networks. Powered by a default classification database that can automatically detect and classify interference sources such as RF jammers and CW transmitters, users are provided detailed information about the interference source, the frequencies it impacts, peak/average power levels and the status of the source.

Generally, users must rely upon the spectrum analyzer vendors to create default signatures or classifications for the detection and identification of RF interference sources. Timely response to these requests, while critical to ensuring optimum performance for users, has been a struggle for analyzer vendors. To overcome this hurdle and provide users with a “zero-day” response to any RF interference source, AirMagnet Spectrum ES allows users to create custom signatures for any interference source that can impact the performance of the network.

With AirMagnet Spectrum ES’s built-in “device locator tool”, users can physically locate any interference source operating in the RF environment. The device locator tool operates as a Geiger counter and beeps louder as users get closer to the location of the device.

Antenna Performance Verification using the Power Meter Tool
One of the most important tests conducted for a DAS network, is the verification of the antenna performance, i.e. if the antenna is working as expected or not. There are two methods: 1) performing a one-meter RF test and measuring the power of each antenna from the FFT graph by standing below the antenna or 2) using a power meter tool.

Users can physically connect the AirMagnet Spectrum ES adapter directly* to an antenna system and then use the built-in Power Meter Tool to perform the power measurements for the antennas. Users specify the frequency range and channel bandwidth options, and then quickly measure the power readings (current, max or max-hold) for the antennas.

Figure 9: Create custom signatures for any interference source.

Figure 10: The device locator tool operates as a Geiger counterand beeps louder as users get closer to the interference source.

Figure 11: Verify antenna performance using the Power Meter Tool.