Tools & Methodology
The Tools and Process Behind Every Project
We invest in the best measurement and design tools in the industry — and we've been using them long enough to know exactly what they can and can't tell us.
In-building wireless is a precision discipline. A system that looks correct on paper can underperform in the field if the design tools aren't used correctly, the measurements aren't taken rigorously, or the methodology doesn't account for how a real building behaves. At RHO Wireless, our tools and our process are inseparable — each one reinforces the other.
iBwave Design Enterprise
10+ yearsThe global standard for in-building wireless network design.
About the Tool
iBwave Design Enterprise is the software platform used by carriers, system integrators, and independent engineers worldwide to design distributed antenna systems and other in-building wireless networks. It combines 3D building modeling with RF propagation simulation to predict how signals will behave inside a specific structure before a single cable is pulled.
How We Use It
We use iBwave to build accurate 3D models of client buildings, run RF propagation simulations across all relevant frequency bands, design antenna placement and cable routing, and produce carrier-grade documentation packages. Our deliverables are formatted to the specifications that carriers require for design approval — which means fewer revision cycles and faster project sign-off.
Why It Matters for Your Project
Carriers and AHJs increasingly require iBwave-generated documentation as part of their acceptance process. A design produced in iBwave carries credibility that a hand-drawn or generic CAD drawing simply doesn't. More importantly, the propagation modeling reduces the risk of coverage gaps that only become apparent after installation.
Key Capabilities
- 3D building modeling with material-accurate RF propagation
- Multi-band, multi-operator system design
- Passive and active DAS architecture support
- Automated bill of materials generation
- Carrier-accepted documentation output
Category
Design & Modeling
PCTEL SeeHawk Touch
10+ yearsProfessional mobile network testing for walk testing and post-installation verification.
About the Tool
PCTEL SeeHawk Touch is a professional-grade mobile network testing application used by carriers and independent engineers to measure real-world signal quality, coverage, and network performance. It runs on a dedicated Android device paired with a scanning receiver, capturing detailed RF data as the tester walks through a building.
How We Use It
We use SeeHawk Touch for pre-installation baseline surveys — to understand the existing RF environment before any work begins — and for post-installation walk testing to verify that the completed system meets coverage targets. The application logs signal strength, signal quality, and network data at every point along the walk path, producing a georeferenced dataset we can map against the building floor plan.
Why It Matters for Your Project
Subjective coverage assessments ('my phone or radio works here') are not sufficient for carrier acceptance or AHJ sign-off. SeeHawk Touch produces objective, documented measurement data that satisfies the evidentiary requirements of both. It also gives us the diagnostic detail to identify and resolve coverage gaps before a system is formally accepted.
Key Capabilities
- Walk testing across cellular and Public Safety bands
- RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, and throughput measurement
- Georeferenced data mapped to building floor plans
- Pre- and post-installation comparative analysis
- Carrier acceptance and AHJ documentation output
Category
Field Testing
IBflex Scanning Receiver
10+ yearsWideband multi-band scanning purpose-built for in-building RF measurement.
About the Tool
The PCTEL IBflex is a wideband scanning receiver designed specifically for in-building wireless measurement. Unlike a standard spectrum analyzer, the IBflex captures signal data across multiple frequency bands simultaneously — giving a complete picture of the RF environment in a single pass rather than requiring separate sweeps for each band.
How We Use It
We use the IBflex in conjunction with SeeHawk Touch to capture multi-band RF data during walk tests. This is particularly valuable for Public Safety systems, where we need to verify coverage across 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands simultaneously, and for multi-operator cellular systems where several carriers share the same DAS infrastructure.
Why It Matters for Your Project
Multi-band simultaneous capture dramatically reduces the time required for comprehensive testing and eliminates the risk of environmental changes between sequential single-band sweeps. For Public Safety systems in particular, simultaneous multi-band verification is often required by the AHJ as part of the acceptance process.
Key Capabilities
- Simultaneous multi-band RF capture
- 10 MHz – 6 GHzfrequency range coverage
- Paired operation with PCTEL SeeHawk Touch
- Public Safety band verification (700/800 MHz)
- Multi-operator DAS performance measurement
Category
Spectrum Analysis
Our Process
How We Approach Every Project
Tools are only as good as the process behind them. Here's how a typical RHO Wireless engagement unfolds — from initial assessment through final sign-off.
Site Assessment
We start by understanding the building — its construction materials, floor plan, existing infrastructure, and the coverage requirements it needs to meet. For cellular projects, this includes reviewing carrier requirements. For Public Safety, it means understanding the local AHJ's specific compliance standards.
Baseline RF Survey
Before any design work begins, we conduct a baseline RF survey using SeeHawk Touch and the IBflex to measure the existing signal environment. The survey data is imported into iBwave for analysis. This establishes what's already present, identifies problem areas, and gives us the data we need to make accurate design decisions.
System Design
Using the baseline data and building information, we build a 3D model in iBwave Design Enterprise and run propagation simulations to design the system. We iterate on antenna placement, cable routing, and equipment selection until the simulated coverage meets the project requirements — before anything is installed.
Installation Support
We provide technical oversight during installation to ensure the system is built to specification. This includes reviewing contractor work, answering field questions, and flagging deviations from the design before they become problems.
Verification Testing
Once installation is complete, we conduct a full post-installation walk test using SeeHawk Touch and the IBflex. The survey data is imported into iBwave for analysis. We compare measured performance against the design targets and produce a documented test report suitable for carrier acceptance and AHJ sign-off.
Documentation & Sign-Off
We deliver a complete documentation package — design files, test reports, as-built drawings, and any carrier or AHJ-specific forms required for formal acceptance. Our goal is to make the sign-off process as straightforward as possible for everyone involved.
Want to know how this applies to your project?
Every building is different. We're happy to talk through what a typical engagement looks like for your specific situation — no obligation.