Performing a physical site survey is the only way to develop accurate path calculations to ensure performance of a wireless backhaul system. There are many things to take into consideration when surveying a wireless link, such as line of sight, trees or other Fresnel Zone obstructions, mounting elevations, radio equipment (frequency, path loss, gain, etc.) These and other variables should be addressed to assure that path calculations match up to the 'real world' environment.

A Site Survey may include the following procedures:

• Capture GPS coordinate readings for path calculations
• Provide digital photographs (facility, path, antenna location, cable routes, etc.)
• Identify locations for mounting solutions (mast / tower).
• Discover present or potential egress points.
• Determine any potential obstructions to line-of-sight & Fresnel Zone.
• Identify any possible environmental restrictions.
• Identify any obvious points of wireless interference.
• Discover proper grounding and lighting protection / suppression for RF links.
• Create Build-of-Materials and product recommendations
• Provide budgetary quotations

A Spectrum Analysis should be performed prior to designing a wireless backhaul solution or investing capital in equipment. The increasing deployment of outdoor wireless systems, both licensed microwave and with unlicensed radio links, brings with it serious interference problems if not designed and managed correctly. In addition, new technologies such as Wi-MAX and Mesh networking will continually add to the amount of RF saturation that exists.

Interference is a receive condition that is usually caused by signals at the same or very similar frequency that are able to be seen by the receiving antenna. Radio communications can experience several different types of interference. Interference can be RF overload-induced or self-inflicted from multi-link systems. It can be caused by strong signals that are not at the same frequency, but rather leaking into your receive frequency band and/or by harmonics of the actual frequency of the offending signal.

A Spectrum Analysis must be performed in order to know what impeding frequencies are out there, to evaluate the noise floor, and to determine potential interference factors across the spectrum of frequencies. A Spectrum Analysis provides valuable data to determine the proper frequencies, channels, correct antenna polarization to be used, and to help the success of the overall installation.

Alpha Omega Wireless performs detailed spectrum analysis that provides the client with factual data of their environment, providing a detailed visual, statistical, and explanatory report. AO Wireless also consults the client in recommendations to move their wireless project forward with success.