RF Coverage Area 33RF Planning To do RF Planning, you provide detailed information about your site andbuildings by importing AutoCAD DXF™, AutoCAD DWG, JPEG, or GIFfloor plan files of the buildings into 3WXM.As you import the floor plans, you can modify them to add or remove RFobstacles. 3WXM includes a library of attenuators for building obstacles.The library includes doors, walls, ceilings, and other physical obstructionsthat you can select. Attenuators can be defined by height, width, type ofbuilding material. 3WXM factors in the impact these objects have on howthe radio frequency (RF) signals flow through a given site.If the network contains third-party APs, you can enter information forthese APs so that 3WXM takes the APs into account when calculating theplacement (and optionally, the channel and power settings) of the 3ComMAPs.By using this technique, you receive these substantial benefits: Instead of you making a “best guess” as to how many MAPs yourequire for the desired coverage and where MAPs should be placed,3WXM automatically calculates how many MAPs you need and whereto place MAPs for optimal positioning. You can generate a deployable work order to help installers place WXswitches and MAPs. You automatically receive a deployable configuration that includesoptimum power and channel settings. You enjoy more accurate monitoring options and networkvisualization based on the additional geographic modellinginformation loaded into 3WXM.Which PlanningMethod Should I Use?The more detailed your network plan, the better you will be able tomanage and monitor the network. However, there are otherrequirements organizations should consider.3Com suggests you use the RF Auto-Tuning technique if you areinstalling MAPs without consideration to blanket coverage, throughputconcerns, or the number of users for whom service will be provided. RFAuto-Tuning is ideal for small areas; for example, coverage that onlyrequires a few MAPs, or widely dispersed areas in a building, such asconference rooms.
