Engineering Services

Designing a New Wireless Network?
Start With a Propagation Study

Ensure an optimal RF path and a highly reliable signal for your robust wireless connection. Save time, effort, and capital by evaluating your landscape before you deploy.

Request RF Study →
No Cost* * Costs may incur for highly complex RF path studies.

What is an RF-Path Study?

Having a cost-effective and reliable data-communication wireless network is an important factor in a faster, smarter and well-integrated enterprise. But designing the network can be challenging, time-consuming and costly. This is especially true if the local landscape is unknown. A number of factors can affect the network performance – tall trees, buildings, RF noise, etc.

To overcome the challenge, DATA-LINC GROUP recommends starting your project with a propagation study. In the long-run it will save you time, effort and money.

A propagation study, also known as an RF-Path study, is a computer-generated evaluation that helps in planning wireless networks to ensure optimal performance from each site in the system. The study gives an accurate point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless link performance analysis based on RF theory. This evaluation accounts for physical obstructions, frequency problems, and power regulations encountered in the path between the different sites.

RF-Path software showing terrain and Fresnel zone
A propagation study evaluation analyzing terrain and line-of-sight clearance.

What the RF Path Study Reveals

Our engineers provide you with the best RF path for the most reliable data transfer, even in the harshest environments. Your comprehensive report will identify:

🔭

Line of Sight (LoS)

If LoS is available or if there are any physical obstructions in the RF path.

🗼

Antenna & Tower Height

The optimal height of the antenna and tower to make LoS possible if clearance is not available.

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Repeater Necessity

Identifies if Repeaters are needed for distant or severely obstructed sites.

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Antenna Specifications

The required gain (dBi) and the specific type of antenna required for each site.

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Link Budget & Clearance

The link budget1 for each site and if the Fresnel zone2 allows clearance.

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Diffraction & Attenuation

Detailed information on diffraction loss3 analysis and the length of coaxial cable required.

✅

Expected Performance

The expected signal strength for each site after installation and a theoretical summary of how the entire network will perform.

1. Link Budget: An accounting of all the power gains and losses that a communication signal experiences in the system. 2. Fresnel Zone: The area around the visual line-of-sight that radio waves can spread into after they leave the antenna. 3. Diffraction Loss: Defined as the attenuation by diffraction when a line-of-sight path is obstructed.
WiDe analysis showing LoS between two sites Example of multiple links with Repeaters Cement factory antennas

Troubleshooting Existing Networks

A propagation study is also a very helpful tool when a problem occurs within your existing network regarding signal-strength or data-transfer. Our engineers commonly use these studies to identify and resolve:

  • Sunny day networks: Systems that only work during good weather.
  • Intermittent communication: Random drops in data packets.
  • Sudden failures: Functioning networks that suddenly stop transmitting.
  • Signal fading: Gradual loss of connectivity over time or seasons.
  • Low bandwidth availability: Slower than expected data rates.
  • Power regulation issues: Identifying hardware or power supply faults.

Why Choose DATA-LINC?

DATA-LINC GROUP strives to offer unparalleled technical assistance and service from the start of your project to completion and beyond. Our technical team will work with you to provide a thorough RF-Path study that evaluates the local terrain, the frequency signals, and all the other factors that might impact your wireless network design.

We strongly believe in providing customer-centric solutions and services that beat customer expectations and in helping to ensure that our customers get the right product for the job, even if it means referring them to a competitor.

Request Your RF-Path Study

Start your new wireless design project with a thorough evaluation of your RF-Path landscape today. Please fill out the form below.
* No cost for standard evaluations. Costs may incur for highly complex RF path studies.

Contact Information

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Site Information

Provide up to 10 sites. Format example: Latitude 47°32'39.1"N, Longitude 122°03'32.1"W

Site #Location NameLatitudeLongitude
Site 1
Site 2
Site 3
Site 4
Site 5
Need to add Sites 6-10? Please include them in the comments below.
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