User guide

AirMagnet Spectrum XT User Guide
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Introduction
Chapter 1:
Product Overview
AirMagnet Spectrum XT is a brand-new WiFi troubleshooting and optimization tool from
AirMagnet, Inc. designed to provide WiFi network professionals with a clear and concise
view into their wireless network environment. AirMagnet Spectrum XT’s power reaches far
beyond its sleek and intuitive design, because it includes the option to complement spectrum
analysis with WiFi packets and traffic analysis, using an optional second WiFi card. This
allows users to directly connect spectrum information to the real performance of their wireless
APs and channels. The software brings everything together in a single, clean interface that
ensures that users can easily see the information that they need without digging through
pages of data.
Main Features
AirMagnet Spectrum XT has the following main features:
Ability to Scan All 802.11 Frequency Bands
AirMagnet Spectrum XT has the capability to capture live spectrum and WiFi data in the
wireless network and display them in real time on the screen, assuming the user has an
AirMagnet-supported wireless network adapter installed and enabled at the same time. To
make it easier for the user to focus on certain part of the 802.11 radio spectrum, AirMagnet
Spectrum XT offers six band options: 2.4 GHz, 4.9 GHz, 5 GHz Lower, 5 GHz Middle, 5 GHz
Upper, and Mixed which includes all options other than 4.9 GHz. The user can choose any of
these band options from the Band menu in the toolbar.
Spectrum Graphs
AirMagnet Spectrum XT can display spectrum data it captures in a variety of spectrum
graphs, each allowing the user to analyze the spectrum data from a unique perspective. The
spectrum graphs are:
Real-Time FFT Graph
The Real-Time FFT (Fast Fourier Transformation) graph displays in real time the current,
average, and maximum FFT readings. It shows the RF power as a function of radio frequency.
The user can fine-tune the graph by modifying certain parameters of the graph such as the
type of data to be graphed, power settings, frequency range, etc.
Spectrum Density Graph
The Spectrum Density graph shows the popularity of a particular frequency/power reading
over time. It can also display the signal strength of selected APs across the corresponding
frequency ranges used by the APs.
Spectrogram Graph
The Spectrogram graph shows the distribution (sweep) of energy across the radio band over
time and changes in frequency use and the duration of such changes.