Problem

When planning the layout of a network of devices at a client site, you want to be able to measure the RF levels of the devices to ensure that there is a strong enough signal in the areas in which you plan to deploy them.

Solution

RapidConnect

Customers with hardware running RapidConnect firmware (or RapidHA v1.7.5 and higher) can use the Network Scan features in RapidConnect Desktop to view network and diagnostic data for nearby Zigbee devices, as shown in the screenshot below. Note that the device must be in the "Network Down" state to enable the Network Scan feature.

RapidSE

Customers with hardware running RapidSE can use our Site Survey tool, which will allow anyone in the field to measure RF levels around the deployment site. The tool uses one of our RapidConnect USB Sticks, flashed with the RapidSE firmware (1.11.13 and higher), and a Windows application to display RSSI and LQI for all networks within range of the USB stick. It does not actually need to be joined to the network in order to display this information. 

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Download, install, and run the MMB Site Survey Tool for Windows, then:

1. Check the list of COM ports available in the dropdown box under "Serial Port"
2. Plug in a USB stick running RapidSE Devices v1.11.13 or higher and check the list of COM ports again. There should be one new entry in the list, and that entry will correspond to the COM port for the USB stick
3. Select the COM port for the USB stick and click "Open"
4. Select the channels that you wish to scan and the Scan Duration
5. Click "Network Discovery"

You should now see a list of nearby networks populated, along with some information including the stack profile, LQI, and RSSI.

Further Reading

If you would like to build your own Site Survey Tool and/or leverage some advanced RF diagnostic features in RapidConnect, see the following Application Note: Building an Advanced Site Survey Tool.