Motorola LANPlanner: Feature-rich hybrid tool

Company: Motorola
Product: LANPlanner
Verdict: Feature-rich hybrid tool

LANPlanner is a direct descendent of one of the original WLAN predictive tools from RF modeling pioneer Wireless Valley, acquired by Motorola. This is a very robust product, and, like all planning tools, perhaps a bit intimidating to non-engineers. Operation, however, is straightforward, and includes both predictive and analytical capabilities.

One begins by importing floor plans for each floor of the building, and then assigning attenuation properties to elements in the model. WLAN equipment can then be placed (especially easy if you're using Motorola gear, as might be expected), with modeling of local radio regulations, antenna customization, and placement of sensors (if desired) as well.

Performance requirements (data rate and capacity) by geographic region can be entered. Next, it's time to run the model, with detailed visualizations available for contour (with fast results), grid (which improves performance predictions), instantaneous points (with performance numbers displayed simply by moving the cursor to any point in the model), and automatic and manual (or a combination of the two) access point positioning.

Performance can be easily evaluated via a mouse click at any geographic point in the simulation. Requirements for redundancy or overlap, as well as the needs of specific applications, can also be evaluated.

LANPlanner also has the ability to compare predicted vs. actual readings obtained via its analytical site survey capability, and it can also verify network performance, locate rogues, analyze interferers, and evaluate SNR, packet error rates, and jitter, the latter being especially important in voice applications.

Technology migrations, for example, from 802.11g to 802.11n can be modeled, as can data rate optimization. Unique among the products reviewed, RFID devices can be modeled.

Viewing and reporting options are more than plentiful. As might be expected, the product integrates with Motorola's own RFMS WLAN management tool. Overall, LANPlanner is highly customizable, and the documentation is comprehensive and complete.

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