Meritech releases Sigma-PA, a measurement data post-processing tool designed for troubleshooting, optimization, and maintenance of wireless networks. Sigma-PA aggregates vital information about network performance including physical layer metrics and layer 3 protocol messages. It supports LTE, HSPA, WCDMA, EDGE, GPRS, and GSM.

Sigma-PA empowers engineers to identify and solve network problems quickly, integrating seamlessly with Sigma-LA to provide a consistent user interface for data visualization. Sigma-PA also is compatible with data file formats such as Qualcomm QXDM and Docomo OTM formats. Both easy to use and powerful, Sigma-PA provides technical professions the visibility needed to achieve optimal service quality.

Meritech releases Sigma-LA for wireless network troubleshooting, optimization, and maintenance. Sigma-LA records and displays vital information about network performance including physical layer metrics and layer 3 protocol messages. It supports LTE, HSPA, WCDMA, EDGE, GPRS, and GSM.

Field measurement plays a critical role in network deployment, insuring that signal coverage reaches users with optimal quality and performance. Sigma-LA provides power test functionality making it an ideal solution for the deployment of 4G technologies.

Meritech releases iSite WiFi 3.1 delivering value to IT professionals who deploy and maintain 802.11a/b/g networks. Launched in December 2003, iSite has matured gaining a reputation as the tool that gets the job done. IT engineering firms rely on iSite for accurate surveys of WiFi network signal coverage. Now, small and medium enterprises (SME) can benefit from a revised pricing model making iSite the ideal choice for IT department budgets.

iSite WiFi 3.1 comes in two packages, iSite WiFi Essentials and iSite WiFi Professional. Both packages offer features to survey 802.11a/b/g networks and spectrum using either touch-point or GPS navigation. iSite WiFi Professional includes extra features for designing WiFi networks using propagation prediction and load capacity estimation.

iSite WiFi is offered as a node locked or floating license. Node locked license pricing is shown below.

• iSite WiFi Essentials $495
• iSite WiFi Professional $995

Note: The English version of iSite WiFi 3.1 is currently available for download at the Meritech web site. The Japanese version will be released on November 1, 2008.

Meritech is releasing iSite WiFi with enhanced spectrum measurement capabilities. The new release scans the unlicensed 2.4 GHz spectrum using the Wi-Spy 2.4x device created by Metageek, LLC.

The addition of Wi-Spy spectrum information to iSite provides a complete picture of the factors that influence WLAN network performance. Users view WLAN coverage and interference in ways never before possible. Sources of interference such as cordless phones and Bluetooth devices are not detected using normal WLAN adapters. The spectrum information provided by Wi-Spy simplifies the identification of interference sources so that appropriate changes can be made to improve WLAN network operation.

Meritech Co., Ltd and DoCoMo Technology, Inc. co-developed iSite RFID, a survey and design tool for UHF band RFID. Unlike conventional RFID that uses 13.56 MHz and 2.45 GHz, the UHF RFID market is expected to expand quickly due to its extended transmission range. Despite this promising outlook, the UHF RFID market expansion is partly inhibited by problems that prevent it from practical use. Problems include interference between reader and writer, detection error due to multi-path interference, and signal saturation.

iSite RFID displays UHF band spectrum and maps signal coverage on a floor plan. Interference is reduced between readers by adjusting adjust reader placement and orientation. The result is improved tag detection and readability.

Meritech and Cognio have teamed together to provide an RFID site survey tool capable of mapping RFID reader coverage and improving network performance. Meritech will integrate the Cognio UHF RFID Cardbus module into the iSite platform. iSite is a software application created for WiFi network deployments which provides a powerful design environment able to plot the coverage footprint of radio signals.

The new site survey tool reduces interference between readers and improves readability for tag detection and tag performance. Common problems in RFID networks include overlapping coverage areas and dead spots occurring within the coverage zone. iSite shows plots as a floor plan overlay, and includes information about signal strength, interference and coverage overlap. Plots are then used to identify and fix problem areas. iSite also provides prediction capabilities allowing network adjustments to be evaluated before they are applied.

New RFID network deployments are typically plagued by poor reader performance due to the presence of objects that interfere with readers, such as large metal objects, microwave ovens, and even adjacent readers. A survey tool that plots reader coverage, and identifies adjustments that will improve network performance is crucial,Esaid Fumio Kondou, a senior manager at DoCoMo Technology.

The iSite RFID site survey tool is targeted for semi-passive tag and active tag networks where readers reach distances of up to 30 and 100 feet respectively. Companies using RFID for data collection, asset management, and supply chain processes need accurate tag detection. As RFID deployments increase, network architects will greatly benefit from the use of site surveys with solutions such as iSite to improve network performance and maximize the cost to deploy mission critical business technologies such as RFID.

Meritech releases iSite with enhanced features that estimate VoWiFi call capacity. The application uses site survey data to calculate network coverage and interference levels. Based on the signal to noise ratio (SNR), iSite plots the estimated VoWiFi call capacity on a floor plan display. A color grid indicates areas of low capacity where adjustments should be made to improve network performance. Several voice codecs are supported including G.711, G.729, G723.1v, GSM and iLBC.

iSite also shows VoWiFi call capacity using predicted coverage and interference levels. Prediction is useful when a site survey is not practical. Prediction also lets users evaluate configuration scenarios before changes are made to the network thereby lowering the cost of network maintenance.

WiFi has inherent limitations that can result in restricted capacity and poor voice quality if the network is not designed properly. iSite is an essential tool that helps ensure the network is VoWiFi capable,Esaid Brett Maurer, Director of Engineering at Meritech.

Other features in this iSite release include antenna patterns and reports. Antenna patterns are used to model the propagation characteristics of directional antennas often used for indoor wireless networks. Reports produce quick output of useful network information that can be saved to PDF, DOC, XLS and other file formats.

Meritech is a software development corporation that leverages wireless expertise to provide effective engineering solutions. Inspired by the possibilities of wireless technology, Meritech is focused on delivering solutions that empower technical professionals and improve the quality of network design and deployment.

Integrating Wi-Fi survey and design capability into one application, Meritech releases iSite for international distribution. iSite was created for IT professionals with limited knowledge of Radio Frequency (RF) engineering who are challenged by the complexities of Wi-Fi deployment. iSite measures network coverage and tests scenarios that will improve performance.

WiFi is impaired by insufficient coverage and high interference. IT professionals were waiting for a tool like iSite that will improve existing Wi-Fi networks,Esaid Brett Maurer, Director of Engineering at Meritech. iSite was first released in February 2005 providing functionality that models radio wave propagation in order to predict Wi-Fi coverage. Survey functionality is now added to give engineers the ability to measure true Wi-Fi coverage. Having both survey and design functionality in one application lets engineers simulate the effect changes have on network performance. iSite is quickly becoming an essential tool for IT professionals who deploy Wi-Fi networks.

Meritech is a software development corporation that leverages wireless expertise and Microsoft .NET technology to provide effective software solutions. Inspired by the possibilities of wireless technologies, Meritech is focused on delivering solutions that improve process efficiency and empower engineers to excel.