Planner Inputs
Example Data Table
Sample assumptions for three common deployment types.
| Scenario | Area (sqm) | Users | Concurrency | Mbps per Device | Real AP Throughput | Coverage per AP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Office | 1200 | 180 | 65% | 3.5 | 350 Mbps | 140 sqm |
| Training Center | 850 | 240 | 80% | 4.2 | 320 Mbps | 120 sqm |
| Retail Venue | 2000 | 320 | 55% | 2.8 | 300 Mbps | 160 sqm |
Formula Used
Concurrent Users = Total Users × Concurrency Rate
Concurrent Devices = Concurrent Users × Average Devices per User
Raw Demand = Concurrent Devices × Per-Device Mbps × Peak Multiplier
Adjusted Demand = Raw Demand × (1 + Protocol Overhead + Availability Buffer + Roaming Loss)
Usable Capacity per AP = Real AP Throughput × Target AP Utilization
APs by Capacity = Ceiling(Adjusted Demand ÷ Usable Capacity per AP)
APs by Coverage = Ceiling(Coverage Area ÷ Coverage per AP)
Recommended APs = Higher of APs by Capacity or APs by Coverage
Future APs = Higher of Future Capacity Need or Coverage Need
This model helps balance density, growth, and service quality. It is a planning estimate, not a replacement for a full RF survey.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the site name and total indoor coverage area.
- Input expected users and the percentage active during peak periods.
- Set the average devices each user carries.
- Estimate average Mbps needed per active device.
- Add a peak multiplier for bursty traffic behavior.
- Enter overhead, retry, and availability buffers.
- Use realistic AP throughput, not marketing data rates.
- Provide expected coverage per AP from your building design.
- Include growth allowance for future demand.
- Submit the form to review AP counts, demand, load, headroom, chart, and exports.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does this planner estimate?
It estimates concurrent load, usable throughput, access point counts, user density, and growth impact for an indoor wireless deployment.
2. Why use real AP throughput instead of advertised speed?
Advertised rates assume perfect conditions. Real throughput reflects protocol overhead, airtime sharing, retries, and client limitations.
3. What is a good target AP utilization?
Many designs target about 50% to 75% utilization. Lower values preserve headroom and improve user experience during bursts.
4. Why are coverage and capacity both checked?
A site may need more APs for coverage than traffic, or more for traffic than coverage. Good planning checks both constraints.
5. Should I include guest traffic?
Yes. Add guest devices into user totals or raise concurrency and demand values so the estimate captures real peak behavior.
6. Does this replace an RF survey?
No. It is a capacity planning tool. Final channel plans, placement, wall losses, and interference still need validation on site.
7. How should I choose coverage per AP?
Use conservative values based on building materials, ceiling height, target signal level, and the bands you expect clients to use.
8. What does headroom mean here?
Headroom shows unused usable capacity after current demand is allocated. More headroom usually means better resilience and future flexibility.