TamoSoft: Network Analysis Tools & Security Software
Contents

WLAN Analyzer and Protocol Decoder - CommView for WiFi

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Introduction
About CommView for WiFi
What's New
Using the Program
Driver Installation
Overview
Scanner
Nodes
Channels
Latest IP Connections
Packets
Logging
Viewing Logs
Rules
Advanced Rules
Alarms
WEP/WPA Keys
Reconstructing TCP Sessions
Reconstructing UDP Streams
Searching Packets
Statistics and Reports
Using Aliases
Packet Generator
Visual Packet Builder
NIC Vendor Identifier
Scheduler
Node Reassociation
Using Remote Agent for WiFi
Using RPCAP
Port Reference
Setting Options
Frequently Asked Questions
VoIP Analysis
Introduction
Working with VoIP Analyzer
SIP and H.323 Sessions
RTP Streams
Registrations
Endpoints
Errors
Call Logging
Reports
Call Playback
Viewing VoIP Logs
Working with Lists in VoIP Analyzer
NVF Files
Advanced Topics
Understanding CRC and ICV Errors
Understanding WPA Decryption
Understanding Signal Strength
Monitoring 802.11n Networks
Capturing A-MPDU and A-MSDU Packets
Multi-channel Capturing
Capturing High Volume Traffic
Running CommView for WiFi in Invisible Mode
Command Line Parameters
Exchanging Data with Your Application
Custom Decoding
CommView Log Files Format
Information
How to Purchase CommView for WiFi
Contacting Us

Understanding Signal Strength

Wireless signal strength is traditionally measured in either percentile or dBm (the power ratio in decibels of the measured power referenced to one milliwatt.) By default, CommView for WiFi displays the signal strength in percentile. The level of 100% is equivalent to the signal level of -35 dBm and higher, e.g. both -25 dBm and -15 dBm will be shown as 100%, because this level of signal is very high. The level of 1% is equivalent to the signal level of -95 dBm. Between -95 dBm and -35 dBm, the percentage scale is linear, i.e. 50% is equivalent to -65 dBm.

 

If measurements in dBm are preferable, you can switch to dBm by using the Display signal level in dBm option in Settings => Options => Decoding. When Display signal level in dBm is turned on, the signal strength will be shown in dBm on the Nodes, Channels, and Packets tabs, as well as in the Scanner window. In the packet decoder tree, the level is always shown in both percentile and dBm.