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WiFi Explorer Pro 3 provides a spectrum analysis integration that lets you visualize RF information and correlate it with 802.11 data. This integration is not meant to be a substitute for dedicated spectrum analysis software; however, the level of detail should allow you to quickly identify non-802.11 energy sources and better understand the effects of interference and channel utilization on your wireless network.

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Choose a spectrum analyzer

The following devices are compatible for spectrum analysis: When you connect a supported device, the device will appear as a menu item under the Spectrum Analysis menu. You can use the device’s menu item to turn the device on or off. You can also change the device’s sweep profile.
You can use multiple devices simultaneously. For example, you can use a Wi-Spy 2.4x to sweep the 2.4 GHz band and a Wi-Spy DBx to sweep the 5 GHz band, or two Wi-Spy DBx devices, one for each band.

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Select different spectrum analysis views and traces

The spectrum analysis integration provides different views and traces that overlap with the Wi-Fi information displayed in the WiFi Explorer Pro 3’s Spectrum view. You can choose the various views and traces from the Spectrum Analysis menu.

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Density View

The Density View shows how signal strength varies over time at each frequency using percentile bands. The horizontal axis represents frequency, and the vertical axis represents signal level (in dBm). Each colored layer represents a percentile range of signal levels observed over time: 0–10% (gray), 10–30% (teal), 30–50% (yellow), 50–70% (orange), and 70-100% (red). Lower-percentile bands highlight occasional or weak signals, while higher-percentile bands indicate stronger signal levels that appear more frequently.

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Waterfall View

The Waterfall View shows historical energy levels across the selected frequency band. The horizontal axis is used to represent frequency and the vertical axis represents time. Color is used to represent energy levels, where blue is used for weaker signals, green and yellow to show mid-level signals, and red for stronger signals.

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Live Trace

The Live Trace shows current RF energy levels across the selected frequency band. The horizontal axis is used to represent frequency, and the vertical axis represents energy levels (dBm).

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Average Trace

The Average Trace shows average RF energy levels across the selected frequency band. The horizontal axis is used to represent frequency, and the vertical axis represents energy levels (dBm).

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Maximum Trace

The Maximum Trace shows maximum RF energy levels across the selected frequency band. The horizontal axis is used to represent frequency, and the vertical axis represents energy levels (dBm).

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Utilization Trace

The Utilization Trace shows the average percentage of time the ambient RF signal around a Wi-Fi channel is higher than the selected signal threshold. To set the signal threshold, go to WiFi Explorer Pro 3 > Settings > Spectrum Analysis and change Utilization Threshold.
For channels in the 2.4 GHz band, the average is calculated using a 5 MHz width around the channel’s center frequency. For example, for channel 6, utilization is averaged in the 2434.5-2439.5 MHz range.
For channels in the 5 and 6 GHz bands, the average is calculated using a 20 MHz width around the channel’s center frequency. For example, for channel 44, utilization is averaged in the 5210-5230 MHz range.

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Remote spectrum analysis

The NXT-2000, Wi-Spy 2.4x (Version 2), Wi-Spy DBx, Wi-Spy Lucid, and WiPry Clarity spectrum analyzers can be used with a sensor over SSH. To use the Wi-Spy 2.4x (Version 2) or Wi-Spy DBx spectrum analyzers for remote spectrum analysis:
  1. Install the spectools package. In Debian-based systems, including Ubuntu and Raspberry Pi, you can install spectools using apt:
  2. Enable the SSH user to run /usr/bin/spectool_raw with sudo without entering a password.
To use the Wi-Spy Lucid or WiPry Clarity spectrum analyzers for remote spectrum analysis:
  1. Install the wipry_raw utility.
  2. Enable the SSH user to run /usr/bin/wipry_raw with sudo without entering a password.
For more information about setting up a sensor and configuring permissions to run spectool_raw or wipry_raw with sudo without entering a password, see Configure passwordless sudo. When you choose a sensor for scanning, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 automatically adds a new Remote NXT-2000, Remote Wi-Spy DBx / 2.4x, and Remote Wi-Spy Lucid / WiPry Clarity device under the Spectrum Analysis menu, even if a spectrum analyzer is not connected to the sensor. Similarly, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 will automatically add both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands as options for the Remote Wi-Spy device, even though it may not support the 5 GHz band.
WiFi Explorer Pro 3 will show an error if you start spectrum analysis remotely and haven’t connected a spectrum analyzer to the sensor.
WiFi Explorer Pro 3 will show an error if you choose a band that the remote spectrum analyzer doesn’t support.
To do remote spectrum analysis while doing a remote scan for wireless networks, connect a compatible spectrum analyzer to the sensor, then go to Spectrum Analysis and choose the desired frequency band under the corresponding remote spectrum analyzer menu option.

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Configure additional spectrum analysis options

The spectrum analysis integration in WiFi Explorer Pro 3 offers additional options that you can configure to help correlate RF energy levels with Wi-Fi information. To change these options, see Change Spectrum Analysis settings.

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See also