Performing Site Analysis

This chapter deals in planning the site analysis, performing a physical environmental analysis, and performing an RF environmental analysis. The purpose of site analysis is to determine how the proposed RFID system fits into the existing site infrastructure. A blueprint, the site diagram, helps one to visualize the site infrastructure. The site analysis project has three stages: physical environmental analysis, RF environmental analysis, and documenting the results of one's analysis. The physical environmental analysis includes recording harsh environmental conditions, physical obstructions, metallic materials, and other physical sources that may have adverse effects on the RF signal propagation. The RF environmental analysis includes identifying the sources of interference and noise. One also needs to measure the interference and noise in the planned interrogation zones. The spectrum analyzer is your device to make these measurements.