Project Name:

UCSB Campus RF Survey and Wireless LAN Prototype

Project Sponsor:

Communications Services in coordination with the Campus Wireless Working Group.

Project Summary:

The UCSB Campus Radio Frequency (RF) Survey will initialize and maintain a central repository of RF information at UCSB. This information is essential for developing, maintaining, and trouble-shooting wireless systems and networks on campus. Representative data will include: transmitter/receiver locations, frequencies, power output, and antennas. The repository will be populated with data that will be gathered via written survey, vendor provided documentation, and passive RF survey with instrumentation. A procedure will be established to maintain the currency of the data.

The Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) Prototype will establish a model for wireless LAN deployment at UCSB. Guidelines will be produced that will detail issues such as: network addressing, security, frequency allocation, connection to the campus network, and RF safety. These guidelines will be posted to a web location that has yet to be decided; it could supplement or supercede information located at: http://www.commserv.ucsb.edu/wireless/.

How this Project Supports the Academic Mission:

The UCSB Campus RF Survey would provide faculty and staff with a central database that will be a resource for information regarding the UCSB RF environment. This data will aid in planning RF installations; it will increase the probability for successful deployment of RF and reduce instances of RF conflict. This would be an ideal location to incorporate RF exclusion zone information in order to mitigate impact on research projects.

The Wireless LAN Prototype would foster the development and deployment of wireless LAN infrastructure(s). This would allow additional access to resources to faculty, students, and staff in direct support of the academic mission.

Funding Source:

It is hoped that a combination of Campus funding and contributions from Communications Services, the OIT, and other interested departments could fund this proposal.

Costs:

Cost Summary
RF Spectrum Analyzer	$8,000
Wireless Survey and Mapping Software	$16,000
Survey and Documentation Support Labor	$5,600
7 Access Points ($1,800 each)	$12,600
Access Point installation work (electrical, cabling, mounting, etc.) averaging $2,000 per location.	$14,000
20 PC/PDA Wireless Network Interface Cards (NICs) $150 each	$3,000
Total	$59,200

Matching Opportunities:

Communications Services will provide resources for surveying, prototyping, and for the development of the RF survey data repository database and web access page. Some time will need to be acquired from Communications Services recharged staff for Survey documentation (included in Cost Summary). It is hoped that other interested organizations could also contribute time and/or funding to assess and expand the prototype network.

Staff Support Required:

It is expected that Communications Services staff and participants in the Wireless Working Group will contribute most necessary time. The RF Survey will require some detailed topographical mapping and documentation work which is available from Communications Services staff, but on a recharge basis. This time is included in the cost summary as “Survey and Documentation Support Labor.” The prototype installation will require infrastructure work, such as electrical, conduit, cabling, and mounting. It is anticipated that Facilities Management Work-orders would be required in order to perform this work. This work is included in the cost summary as “Access Point installation work.”

Existing Resources to be Used:

Communications Services will contribute several access points and some existing surveying equipment. These have not been included in the Cost Summary. Also, the RF Survey Repository Database and web access pages would be deployed on the existing Communications Services database and web servers.

Project Timeline:

It is expected that the survey and a working prototype could be implemented within 6-12 months after the acquisition of the equipment and software.

Life Cycle of Result:

The results of the survey will be a body of work that will require ongoing updating. It is expected that the OIT/Communications Services will maintain this information. The prototype wireless network is expected to have a lifespan of approximately 3 years depending upon the adoption of technology and the evolution of standards. The equipment could be re-deployed in other locations if newer standards supercede the initial prototype.