WiPry-Spectrum

My first impressions of the WiPry is that it could potentially be a very good addition to my WLAN survey toolkit. The adapter is extremely low cost with the APP being a free download from Apple. Obviously this will only work in the 2.4Ghz range and not the 5Ghz but as it is a first generation release as with other manufacturers of similar devices am sure that they will release a 5Ghz version.

Tech specs from Oscium are:

  • Spectrum Analyzer
    • Frequency Range: 2.400-2.495 GHz
    • Amplitude Range: -40dBm to +20dBm
    • Amplitude Resolution: 2.0dBm
    • Resolution Bandwidth: 1MHz
    • Sweep Time: 200ms
  • Compatibility: WiPry -Combo works on all generations of the iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad devices running iOS version 3.1.3 or higher.
  • App: Required, free download in the App Store

Amplitude Range: -40dBm to +20dBm is a little restrictive if this is actually true as this will cut off most interference I am used to picking up with my regular tools (unless I am very close to it). Ill contact the manufacturer and see if this is correct. (Having spoken to them, they say that an APP update soon will fix a few issues with displaying the correct levels).

The APP can present its information in two modes "Real Wave" and "Waterfall" these are just like the traditional real-time Duty Cycle and Waterfall views that you get with most SpecANsoftware. You get the usual units of either dBm or mW and can take a screen snapshot and email it directly from within the APP which i found very useful for getting the information into a report.

Logging: The APP can save its data into a .csv file which is also handy if you want to save your scan to view when your back at the office. You can also email this an address if you so wish.

Configs: The APP also allows you to save three different configurations so that you can load a different config depending on the survey you are performing.

The following picture shows their waterfall view, this is showing a baby monitor that i had running at the time of the scan.

The reported power levels seem to be a little inconsistent and this will need to be addressed in the next release, when comparing this to my trusted Cisco SpecAN card there was quite a difference in the levels, however both tools reported exactly the same info on their real-time graph the same. So if you know what you are looking for, the WiPry-Spectrum will show you the raw data for you to use how you wish.

Conclusion:

This is obviously a first generation SpecAn tool from Oscium which reminded me when i received the first USB device from Metageek all those many years ago. Whilst it is not as feature rich as many of the other SpecAn tools out there it still provides basic visibility of the 2.4Ghz range. I would love to see a 5Ghz Version and will be closely watching the additional features that will slowly be added to future version of the APP.

You have to commend Oscium for getting to market a SpecAN tool for the iPhone/iPad before the other manufacturers that are already in the SpecAN market. So hopefully this will give them the push that is urgently needed, to bring better WLAN Survey tools to the iPad!

Am hoping that an Andriod version will also be made available in USB form so that it can be used on other tablet devices.

Thanks

Mark Julier

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