Research Article
Optimal Modeling of Wireless LANs: A Decision-Making Multiobjective Approach
Table 1
Comparison of features and capabilities of various applications for the study and deployment of wireless networks.
| | Software name | IEEE 802.11 standard | Study of Layer 1 | Study of Layer 2 | Obstacle modelling | Type of coverage | Main application | Automatic planning | Native platform | Size (MB) | Cost (€) |
| | NetStumbler | a/b/g | Signal strength | No | No | 2D view | Wardriving | No | Windows | 1.30 | Free | | Wi-Fi Analytics Tool | a/b/g/n/ac | Signal strength | No | No | 2D view | Wardriving | No | Windows & Android | 1.8 & 0.5 | Free | | Wi-Spy DBx | a/b/g/n | RF spectrum | No | No | 2D view | & RF audit | No | Windows | 7.60 | 450–1000 | | Ekahau HeatMapper | a/b/g/n | Signal strength | No | No | 2D map | Site survey | No | Windows | 100.0 | | | NetSpot | a/b/g/n/ac | Signal strength | No | No | 2D map | Site survey | No | Windows & Mac OS X | 17.0 | 50–500 | | Acrylic WiFi Heatmaps | a/b/g/n/ac | Signal strength | No | No | 2D map | Site survey | No | Windows | 15.9 | 879–1119● | | Wolf WiFi Pro | a/b/g/n | Signal strength | No | No | 2D map | Site survey & AP management | No | Android | 0.72 | 0–50 | | Bat-Planner | a/b/g/n | Signal strength | No | ✓ | 3D view | Site survey & planning | No | Windows | N/A | | | TamoGraph | a/b/g/n/ac | Signal strength | No | ✓ | 2D map | Site survey, data & planning | No | Windows | 81.0 | 750–1000 | | VisualRF Plan | N/A | Signal strength | No | ✓ | 2D map | Predeployment | No | Windows | 206.9 | Free | | RF3D Wifiplanner2 | a/b/g/n | Signal strength | No | ✓ | 2D map | Planning | No | Windows | 15.9 | Shareware♦ | | AirMagnet Survey | a/b/g/n/ac | RF data & signals | No | ✓ | 2D map & 3D view | Site survey, data & planning | RF-based algorithm | Windows | 477.0 | 1800 | | WiTuners | a/b/g/n/ac | Signal strength | No | ✓ | 2D map | Site survey, data & planning | RF-based algorithm | Windows & Android | 120.1 & 7.20 | 760–2400
& 0–500 | | Ekahau Site Survey | a/b/g/n/ac | Signal strength & RF spectrum | No | ✓ | 2D map | Site survey, data & planning | RF-based algorithm | Windows & Mac OS X | 338.0 | 3395 | | WiFiSim | a/b/g/n | Signal strength | CSMA/CA RT
S/CTS | ✓ | 2D & 3D maps | Modelling & planning | SSGA & NSGA-II | Multiplatform | 3.18 | Free |
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Free version with limited features; ♦15-day trial version; special hardware required; ●1-year license. N/A = not available. |
