Indoor Radio Planning: A Practical Guide for GSM, DCS, UMTS, HSPA and LTE, Second Edition

9.3 Radio Survey Tools

In some cases it is advisable to perform an RF survey in the building, to verify the antenna locations and the model you are using for simulation of the coverage in the building (refer to Section 5.2.5).

9.3.1 Use Only Calibrated Equipment

You will need a calibrated transmitter, preferably battery operated, and a pole or tripod that enables you to place the survey transmit antenna at the same location as the planned antenna. The transmitter needs to be able to have adjustable output power so you can simulate the same power as the final antenna.

Log the Measurement Result

You will also need calibrated measurement tools that are able to log the measurement, and preferably save the data on a PC. The best system enables you to place the measurement on a floor plan that is imported to the system (see Section 5.2.6). If you are using, or plan to use, a design program that can do indoor modeling and RF prediction, it is important to chose a radio survey tool that can export the measurement data to that tool, and thereby measurements from the actual building can be used to fine tune or calibrate the prediction model. Needless to say, a radio planner never leaves home without a ‘test mobile’ that is able to display, sometimes even log, the basic radio levels and parameters.