Below are sample screenshots from AirSleuth-Pro. They are divided into two categories: 2.4 GHz Spectrum Analysis and 802.11 Network Discovery. The data acquired and analyzed for spectrum analysis uses the wireless device that was shipped with the Sleuth product, while the data displayed for 802.11 network discovery (i.e. Wi-Fi Scanning) uses your 802.11 wireless adapter. All Sleuth products (i.e. AirSleuth-Pro, AirSleuth-Lite and WifiSleuth) support all features and charts associated with 802.11 network discovery. For 2.4 GHz spectrum analysis, WifiSleuth and AirSleuth-Lite support a subset of those plots and charts used by AirSleuth-Pro. The table in the introductory section summarizes the differences.
For certain charts, the 2.4 GHz spectrum analysis module used by AirSleuth-Pro employs what we refer to as "channel-centric" diagnostic views. In contrast to a typical spectrum trace that plots signal strength along the y-axis and frequency along the x-axis, a channel-centric chart replaces frequency with 802.11 channels along the x-axis. This can be seen in 4 charts below: Channel Spectrogram, Channel Timecourse, Channel Pie Chart and Differential Channels. The 802.11 network discovery module creates charts that are similar in appearance but use different data and have a different interpretation. It is important we clarify the distinction between 2.4 GHz spectrum analysis and 802.11 network discovery -- in spectrum analysis we are talking about raw, RF energy, whereas in 802.11 network discovery we are talking about the signal strength of the beacon transmitted by an access point.
The channel-centric views calculated by the spectrum analysis module integrates (as in calculus) or sums all the RF energy for the range of frequencies that fall under each channel. Since Wi-Fi channels overlap then the RF energy detected for a particular frequency will contribute to more than one channel. The result of integrating the RF energy under the frequency spectrum and distributing this among the different channels allows us to create channel-centric views of the raw, RF energy as detected by our wireless device.
In 802.11 network discovery the 802.11 wireless adapter only sees 802.11 beacons -- it does not see raw RF energy. The charts created by the 802.11 network discovery module use only beacon strengths as reported by your 802.11 wireless adapter.
So, when reviewing the charts created by the spectrum analysis and 802.11 network discovery modules it important to keep in mind which data is used in the graph -- raw, RF data or beacon strengths.
2.4 GHz Spectrum Analysis
1. Full Spectrum Trace View
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2. Differential Spectrum Trace View
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3. Selectable Channel Trace View
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4. Spectrum Heatmap / Waterfall Timecourse View
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5. Channel Spectrogram View
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6. Channel Timecourse
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7. Channel Pie Chart
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8. Differential Channels View
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9. Collective RF Timecourse
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10. Best Channel Calculation and Heatmap Timecourse
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802.11 Network Discovery
1. Grid of Access Points and BSSIDs
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2. Timecourse of Beacon Qualities For Each Access Point
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3. Differential Display of Beacon Qualities For Each Access Point
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4. Usage of Each of the 802.11 b/g Channels
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5. Timecourse of the Usage of Each of the 802.11 b/g Channels
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6. Heatmap / Waterfall Chart of the 802.11 b/g Channels
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7. Channel Spectrogram of the 802.11 b/g Channels
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