wiki:GENIWiMaxSpectrumSurveyTool

Version 2 (modified by agosain@bbn.com, 12 years ago) (diff)

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Spectrum Analysis for GENI and Sprint/Clear Networks

Scope

Wimax campuses need to scan the spectrum in accordance with the 802.16e Wimax standard . The spectrum_analyzer.tar.gz package, available at http://software.geni.net/local-sw/, captures frequencies in use around campus which then allows a network engineer to pick unused frequencies for planning their network.

Requirements

A Linux netbook with an Intel 6250 WiMAX modem (internal or external), and a base WiMAX image successfully loaded or installed. This base image must capable of scanning for all networks in the area, rather than just the GENI network. Instructions for installing a new base image can be found at http://groups.geni.net/geni/wiki/OMFWiMAXExperiments#a9.Loadingsoftwareonthemobilenode

You may download a custom image that includes the Wimax driver and the spectrum_analyzer.tar.gz package at http://wimax.orbit-lab.org/downloads/spectrum_analyzer.ndz

Performing Analysis

Install the image, if required, and download the spectrum_analyzer.tar.gz package. Enter the directory where the package is installed and run the command:

./spectrum_analyzer.sh <string describing location>

<string describing location> describes the location that the data is taken at in all the detail desired by the experimenter (such as address, direction facing, etc). The measurement will be timestamped by the script.

For example: <string describing location> can be coarse grained, point1, or fine grained, 10 Moulton street,North-West parking lot

This script uses the wimaxcu scan utility to populate the /var/log/wimax/wimaxd.log file with data on all networks found. This file is then processed and relevant data is formatted and output to a text file, wimax_frequencies.txt, in the current directory. Subsequent iterations of the test will append data to wimax_frequencies.txt.

wimax_frequencies.txt contains the RSSI value, CINR value, and a list of frequencies used by both the GENI network and the Sprint/Clear network, if they can be found.

Sample wimax_frequencies.txt:

Data on the frequencies, RSSI, and CINR for both the GENI and SPRINT/CLEAR networks
NOTE: The LinkQuality for each frequency is a score from 0-100, with 100 being
      the highest possible connection quality for that frequency
===================================================================================


Location: 10 Moulton Street
Fri Jan 13 12:13:06 EST 2012


------------------
SPRINT/CLEAR, ID=2
------------------

Observed Frequencies and Link Quality:
Ch1 - 2528500Hz:   LinkQuality = 100
Ch2 - 2630500Hz:   LinkQuality = 72
Ch3 - 2640500Hz:   LinkQuality = 32
Ch4 - 2518500Hz:   LinkQuality = 24
Ch5 - 2663500Hz:   LinkQuality = 15
Ch6 - 2650500Hz:   LinkQuality = 10
Ch7 - 2551500Hz:   LinkQuality = 0
Ch8 - 2541500Hz:   LinkQuality = 0
Ch9 - 2650500Hz:   LinkQuality = 0

Composite RSSI:
-36dBm

Composite CINR:
36dB


-----------
GENI, ID=51
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Observed Frequencies and Link Quality:
Ch1 - 2590000Hz:   LinkQuality = 91

Composite RSSI:
-36dBm

Composite CINR:
36dB

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