SurfScan: Sensor Mode

Introduction

This guide will show you how to configure your SurfScan device as an automated mobile network monitoring device using ‘Sensor Mode’ and the SurfScore Dashboard.

SurfScore Dashboard: Live Monitoring - SurfScan Sensor Management

SurfScore Dashboard: Live Monitoring - Operator SurfScore from SurfScan Sensor

SurfScore Dashboard: Monitoring Historical trends by Operator and Band

Getting started

Prequisites

Upgrade SurfScan Android app and SurfScan OpenWRT to latest versions. Use this upgrade guide.
Admin Access to https://dashboard.surfscore.live to enable creation of plans and monitoring sessions. Viewer roles will have access to the Monitoring sessions you create.
Internet Access
- Ethernet, using WAN port of SurfScan OpenWRT
- Mobile Data SIM

Steps

Configure your SurfScan to operate in Sensor Mode.

Connect to the Wi-Fi of your SurfScan OpenWRT from the Android device

Open SurfScan app, log in to your account and choose ‘SurfScan OpenWRT’ from the main page

Enter SurfScan OpenWRT router password when prompted (it may be cached)

Select Sensor Tab and configure:

Scan Interval in minutes or hours (min 15)

Scan duration

Location: Enter manually or acquire from phone GPS

Stop after: Choose ‘End Time’ or ‘# Scans’

Save Configuration

Enable Sensor mode to start the first scan.

The SurfScan will continue scanning at your programmed intervals.

Configure your Monitoring Session in SurfScore Dashboard

Create an Outdoor Plan that includes the location of your SurfScan Sensor(s).

Click the ‘Monitor Session’ Icon

SurfScore Dashboard: Start/Access Monitor Session

Select Data Sources and enable SurfScan devices that will contribute data.

SurfScore Dashboard: Live Monitoring - SurfScan Sensor Management

Once enabled the monitor session will load up to 24 hours of previous Sensor Mode data from that device, if available, and display the latest SurfScore for discovered operators in Panel and Map View.

Exploring the Data

What is SurfScore?

SurfScore uses all data captured during a scan session to provide a ground truth assessment of real network capacity, not just signal coverage. Our scoring algorithm uses custom weighting for observed signal strength, quality, frequency, bandwidth, and sector count, given an operational use case (uplink of IOT and Video).

Monitor Views

The Panel and Map views show the latest overall SurfScore for each Operator covering the area.

Click on the Cards in Panel View for granular, per band availability and scores.

Click on the Pin in Map view for details.

SurfScore Dashboard: Monitor Panel View

SurfScore Dashboard: Map View

From Panel View click ‘Replay’ to examine historical trends by Operator, expand to view band level breakdowns. Hover over timeline and SurfScore will update as you scrub back and forth.

SurfScore Dashboard: Monitoring Historical trends by Operator and Band

All SurfScan Sensor Mode data is stored long term and can also be viewed in SurfScore.Live if detailed information is required.

Questions or Issues?

Use the bug link in dashboard to log feature requests and bug reports. If you have questions about SurfScan operations or your data please email support@waveriders.live.