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Site Survey
Selection of monitoring sites is an important aspect of deploying a successful
distributed monitoring system useful for both RF parametric measurements
and emitter location. Here are some of the factors to consider in site selection
(as stated in Annex 1 of Report ITU-R SM.2211 "Comparison of time-
difference-of-arrival and angle-of-arrival methods of signal geolocation":
Access to power, ground and network
Proximity to signal energy (both desired and undesired). Placement of
monitoring sites in close proximity to wireless services or industrial grade
electrical equipment has become necessary in many large metropolitan areas.
Terrain and line of sight to the area being monitored
Emitter density and nature of the spectral traffic
Importance of the user base in the area being monitored (i.e. critical
infrastructure or government installations, etc.)
Duration of the monitoring activity. The Keysight N6841A RF Sensor is well-
suited for temporary monitoring of events due to the small size, battery
operation and ease of setup and tear down. The RF Sensor and accessories
can easily be mounted to a small tripod for fast deployment.
The Keysight Sensor Planning and Optimization Tool (SPOT) should be used to
model the sensor installations. The tool can also be used to simulate the RF
detection range and geolocation coverage area for specific transmitter types.
The use of SPOT and a GIS can save time in selection of the monitoring site
locations and help determine the best candidates for the deployment.
Each RF Sensor installation is unique because of the physical and RF
differences of each location. Before installing the RF Sensor, perform a site
survey to determine the optimum placement of units for maximum RF
detection range, geolocation coverage area, and network performance
(especially if the network connection is wireless). In urban settings, sometimes
moving the RF sensor and antenna by a few meters makes a big difference in
the ability to detect and monitor an emitter. Signal blockages and reflections
play a big role in these settings.
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N6841A RF Sensor Installation Guide
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