Ubiquiti Networks AirView2 2.4Ghz USB Spectrum Analyzer

Ubiquiti Networks AirView2

Increasingly crowded 2.4GHz Band

The worldwide unlicensed 2.4GHz band is becoming increasingly crowded. Cordless phones, baby monitors, alarm systems, and a massive collection of wifi devices all battle with each other to share the same medium for communication. For many professional installers, analyzing the 2.4GHz spectrum to determine the optimum setup for new wireless equipment is imperative. Typically, this is done with a tool called a "Spectrum Analyzer", costing from several hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars, which is capable of displaying the distribution of RF energy in the 2.4GHz band.

The AirView Spectrum Analyzer is useful in studying all RF energy contributors in the 2.4GHz band, but has particularly useful tools that make it ideal for optimizing 2.4GHz WiFi Networks. AirView is available in two different models: AirView2 (2.4GHz), AirView2-EXT (2.4GHz, external antenna),

Channel Usage Chart

The graph is ideal for determining the best channel to setup a WiFi network for optimal performance. In the graph, each 2.4GHz WiFi channel is represented by a bar displaying a percentage representing the relative "crowdedness" of that specific channel. This percentage is calculated by analyzing both the popularity and the strength of RF energy in that channel since the start of a AirView session. An installer could use this view to optimize a network installation by avoiding highly used channels and setting up new AP's on channels showing the least usage.

Waveform Chart

The graph shows the aggregate energy collected since the start of an AirView Session. The power of the energy in dBm is shown across the frequency span. A Blue color will mean energy at a particular strength and frequency appears in the air with a relatively low occurence, whereas increasingly brighter colors (ie: Green, Yellow, Orange, and finally Red) designate energy appearing at a specific power/frequency with higher occurrence. The spectral view over time will essentially display the steady-state RF energy signature of a given environment. An installer could use this view to optimize a network installation by avoiding highly used channels and setting up new AP's on channels showing the least usage.

Real-time Chart

The graph displays a traditional Spectrum Analyzer in which energy (in dBm) is shown real-time as a function of frequency. There are three traces in this view: Max Hold, this trace will update and hold maximum power levels across the frequency since the start of an AirView session. Average, this trace shows the running average energy across frequency. Real-time, this trace shows the real-time energy seen by the AirView device as a function of frequency.

System Requirements

• Windows XP, Vista, Apple OSX, Linux
• USB 1.1 or 2.0
• Frequency Range -2.40-2.485 GHz
• Sweep Time - 260ms
• Weight -0.1 kg

For a demo of the AirView visit http://www.ubnt.com/airview/demo/

"Great little gadget that i had to have. Can see all the wireless in my house now."
James Healey (Stoke)

"Used this to detect seme intference that i was getting at a clients offices. Very good price and saved me alot of time. Recomended for anyone that works with 2.4Ghz"
Andrew Cones (Gilford)

"If you work in IT and with WiFi networks then i recommend this. I use i for all my surveys and the clients love it. Makes me look like i actually know what i am going :-)"
Brian Deans (Southampton)

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