RF Testing and Measurement for Education
Land mobile radio (LMR) technologies allow campus security officials, faculty, maintenance staff, and students to exchange information between radio transceivers. This helps educational institutions like yours facilitate an effective communication system. However, radiofrequency (RF) testing and measurement is critical for LMR technologies to work properly. Investing in RF solutions ensures your network maintains range coverage and doesn’t go down, providing you with peace of mind.
Learn more about RF testing and measurement and how to choose the best RF product and equipment for your use case:
The Importance of Radiofrequency Testing and Measurement for Educational Communication Systems
Educational communication systems facilitate information sharing in your learning environment, whether that’s a preschool, school, community college or university. LMR is one of the most effective technologies for these systems, enabling data and voice communication when your staff and students are on the go. It works in designated frequency bands via analog or digital transmissions, allowing your institution to improve information exchange across a large geographical area. Despite their safety and real-time communication benefits, however, LMR technologies can pose the following challenges:
- Wireless systems can interfere with LMR, resulting in poor network coverage and audio quality.
- Tall structures, trees and other on-site obstructions may also interfere with LMR, so signals may not reach users.
- LMR systems are difficult to set up, manage and maintain. Small educational institutions might not have the time or resources to learn and support these systems.
- Older LMR systems might not work correctly when other communication technologies are on-site.
This is where RF testing and measurement benefits your institution. It involves optimizing your communication system’s functionality, performance and interoperability, and ensuring information exchange over radio frequencies meets industry standards. The RF testing and measurement process includes:
- Testing the accuracy of radio frequencies
- Ensuring the stability of radio frequencies
- Evaluating radio signal strength
- Checking devices like LMR systems work correctly and adhere to the law
- Properly tuning electromagnetic fields so they don’t destroy systems and devices
Advantages of RF Testing and Measurement for Educational Communication Systems
Benefits of radiofrequency testing and measurement for education include:
Improved Network Performance and Reliability
Radiofrequency testing and measurement verifies wireless signal strength throughout a network and identifies weak coverage that might impact communications in your school, college or university. By improving signal strength, staff can exchange information more efficiently in various scenarios, such as when informing campus security officers of on-site crimes via an LMR. RF testing and measurement can also identify network interference that impacts performance and reliability, and improve frequency utilization.
Increased Visibility and Control
RF testing and measurement increases visibility into network performance, providing you with more control of your educational communication system. For example, you can generate more information about wireless network behavior and use this data to determine issues with performance that regular monitoring tools can’t detect. You can also identify on-site locations that experience poor signal quality and other problems that affect communication.
Proactive Problem Identification and Resolution
RF testing and measurement ensures educational communication systems operate smoothly, allowing your institution to identify on-site problems and resolve these issues quickly. For example, administrative staff can exchange information with janitors without interference, reducing the chance of miscommunication. Or, administrative staff can communicate with faculty members in another building without being disturbed by excess external noise.
Unique Selling Points of RF Testing and Measurement Solutions for Educational Communication Systems
Key considerations when choosing RF solutions in the educational sector include:
- Integration with existing systems and infrastructure
- Security and data protection
- User-friendly interface and ease of use
Integration With Your Existing Systems/Infrastructure
You don’t have to pay for new systems and infrastructure. The best radiofrequency testing and measurement solutions on the market can integrate with existing technologies on your site, helping you improve network performance, frequency utilization and other tasks without breaking the bank. Older products won’t provide the same interoperability benefits.
Security and Data Protection
You can worry less about sensitive data being exposed through networks and systems when you invest in the best RF technologies. These products provide robust and secure data management by:
- Identifying unauthorized devices within your network. You can remove any problem devices and prevent them from stealing sensitive information.
- Identifying rogue access points within a network. This may prevent bad actors who would otherwise infiltrate your network through these “holes” and access your data.
- Analyzing the encryption capabilities of wireless systems and devices. You might discover security vulnerabilities that could jeopardize valuable information.
You can also ensure compliance with wireless security standards like IEEE 802.11i-2004 and safeguard your network and systems.
A User-Friendly Interface
The best RF products have a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easier to detect network problems and optimize communications. A user-friendly interface can reduce the amount of money you spend on training engineers to use RF products. You will probably also spend less time troubleshooting issues, which can take up valuable resources.
Examples of RF technologies
RF technologies to incorporate into your learning environment for improved security and mission-critical communications include sensitivity improvement products, RF combining systems and high-performance RF filters.
Sensitivity Improvement Products
The Tower Top Amplifier (TTA), invented by TX RX, increases the sensitivity and noise figure of an RF system’s receiver. That improves accuracy and tower performance.
RF Combining Systems
RF combining systems like TX RX’s T-Pass Expandable Transmitter Combiner offer features such as advanced intermodulation and low insertion loss. You can also suppress transmitter noise and effortlessly expand your RF system without system modification.
Get more information about combining systems.
High-Performance RF Filters
Narrow-band filters, window filters and duplexers reduce noise and interference of your RF system. You can use these filters independently or together for additional benefits.
Read more about duplexers.
Other RF products include remote monitoring systems, hybrid combiners, isolators, preselectors and multi-couplers.
Conclusion
If your educational institution relies on LMR to communicate, RF testing and measurement can improve network performance and reliability; increase visibility and control; and help you resolve problems with your network and systems. But, it’s important to choose the right RF solutions for your use case.
Look for those that integrate with your existing infrastructure and systems, provide enhanced security and data protection, and have a user-friendly interface.
Learn more about RF testing and measurement for education by contacting TX RX at +1-866-442-TXRX(8979) or cgrotke@txrx.com.