Devices with Wi-Fi chipset harness the latest wireless standard with better performance and improved capabilities. From consumer perspective, the important metrics are higher network efficiency and faster data throughput. However, it demands considerable Wi-Fi characterization and compliance testing. In the real testing scenario, measurement accuracy, stability, performance, power, and time alignment plays a crucial role. For cloud managed Wi-Fi devices, it can be difficult to perform testing in isolation while allowing the devices to connect to the resources they need to come online and function properly.
Ensure good Wi-Fi connectivity through testing
If any connected product is with poor coverage or does not connect to the network easily, the chances for the product to succeed in the market are very less. With growth of local home networks, devices manufacturers want to produce and deploy IoT products that communicate reliably in the network in the different conditions. As there are millions of devices operate in a network, it becomes complex to quickly test and identify the connectivity issue. Below are the key factors to consider during Wi-Fi connectivity testing:
Wi-Fi Testing Consideration
For planning the testing of a Wi-Fi, below testing types are required to be considered:
- Signal Coverage Testing
- Performance Testing
- Security Vulnerability Testing
- Simulation Testing
- Pilot Testing
Signal Coverage Testing
Signal coverage testing is required to measure Wi-Fi signals throughout the coverage area. The primary purpose is to have enough signal strength that can support the high-performance application usage.
A test access point is placed at various locations throughout the coverage area by using signal meter to ensure required signal value in the vicinity of the access point. The installation of the access point depends on the propagation testing.
Performance Testing
It checks and ensures if the Wi-Fi ensures the optimal performance of the applications used by the user while connected to the network.
After connecting the device with the network, it is important to confirm that the device is able to interface with Wi-Fi with an acceptable performance. For example, for testing a wireless IP phone system, we need to check if we can place the network calls without any disruption in an adverse weather condition.
Security Vulnerability Testing
The most important thing is to ensure the security of the wireless network. Vulnerability testing is required to ensure that the network satisfies all security requirements as in the connected ecosystem, a network prone to any cyber-attack can create a huge damage. This includes ensuring that encryption and authentication functions are set up correctly in relation to design specifications. After ensuring that the network security setting is intact, it is important to determine if the devices with Wi-Fi chipsets connect and communicate successfully in the network without compromising any security standards.
Simulation Testing
It uses software models that virtually symbolize hardware, software, traffic flows, applications and use in the network. By running simulations that repeat or create numerous kinds of protocol streams, traffic and usage scenarios, we can confirm the outcomes quicky before the network activity happens in real time.
Pilot Testing
By installing an actual version of the Wi-Fi system that users are going to leverage, we can confirm the realistic use and long-term measures of performance/load testing scenarios. Wi-Fi pilot testing helps in understanding the connectivity performance in the real-world scenario post installation. It covers the intended coverage area and all the access points in the network.
One of our clients who is leading technology group and solution provider in the areas of gardening tools, automotive and ventilation technology, provides high-quality products and intelligent solutions for lawn care, tree and hedge care, leisure and commercial vehicles, construction, and agricultural vehicles. Client wanted to uncover stability issues with their Wi-Fi Routers / Wi-Fi Repeaters over the large areas (up to 2000 Square Meters) with smooth switching between Wi-Fi Router and Wi-Fi Repeaters in the adverse weather conditions. They were looking wanted to collaborate with a technology partner with expertise in wireless testing services.
eInfochips worked on functional and non-functional Wi-Fi connectivity requirements while mitigating current Wi-Fi stability issues faced by end-customers. Our wireless testing team designed and executed Wi-Fi functional and performance tests to uncover the unknowns and reduce end customer hassles. The team also proactively identified test improvements and test lab enhancements to replicate customer environment. The solution helped the client successfully establish stable connectivity in all weather conditions such as high humidity and extreme temperature and send timely device information to the cloud through Wi-Fi router.
Final Thoughts
Rapid growth of Wi-Fi adoption in the connected products as a primary choice for network communication has introduced new set of devices to be added in the overall system. However, testing the Wi-Fi devices to ensure the connectivity in the adverse conditions is much more than the just physical and MAC layer performance and interoperability.
eInfochips offers end-to-end testing services for the complete wireless ecosystem that benefits device manufacturers, chipset/module vendors, IoT integrators and network operators. eInfochips has expertise in testing wireless routers, hotspots, tablets, smart cameras, wireless speakers, headphones, gaming headsets, home entertainment systems, fitness wearables and IoT (M2M) devices for Healthcare, Smart city, Metering, Transportation and other industries.
To know more about our security testing services, talk to our experts today.
