Comarco Wireless Test Solutions has launched a family of handheld WiFi analyzers for IT managers, systems engineers and their teams who need optimization for performance, security and interference analysis of WiFi networks. As a special limited launch promotion, an extra free lithium-ion polymer battery will be given with the purchase of each analyzer.

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"This product marks Comarco's expansion from its leading position as a supplier of test solutions for the wireless infrastructure to providing an innovative and valuable tool for those designing, installing, troubleshooting and optimizing 802.11 WiFi networks," stated Greg Maton, senior vice president of Comarco. "The WiFi Analyzer requires little or no RF engineering expertise to provide critical network analysis, making it useful for a wide range of operators."

The WiFi Analyzer, which uses a Pocket PC platform with an 802.11 PC card, measures coverage of direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DDDS) networks that operate on the IEEE 802.11 standards. It allows administrators and technicians to unlock important information about each AP (access point):

• PER (packet error rate).
• Multipath and received signal strength indicator (RSSI) signal levels of home and neighboring networks.
• Sources of neighboring networks that may be interfering with the home network.
• Unauthorized access points.
• Throughput and security performance.

An icon-driven main menu provides easy access to the five primary views:

• Summary - Network summary page.
• Network - A detailed view of the network topology.
• Data - Network diagnostics on a single hot spot.
• Radio - RF diagnostics for a hot spot.
• Info - See detailed network information.

These screens allow for in-depth analysis, including:

• Network analysis measurements and tests - Provides network managers, systems engineers and their teams with the ability to monitor traffic, perform TCP/IP tests and gather security information.
• Data analysis - Allows the operator to gather and analyze a wide range of data for each access point (AP), including signal strength, packet error rates, usage and more.
• Propagation analysis - Provides graphical analysis of PER, SNR and RSSI.
• Radio analysis - Provides spectrum display and a station interference locator mode.
• Mapping - Enables the user to create a coverage map for indoor and outdoor networks.

Comarco's WiFi Analyzer is available at prices starting from $3200. Availability is stock to one week ARO.