Testing Wi-Fi Functionality in Medical Devices

Testing RF Performance in Hospitals

By Stephanie Lubrano, Marketing Communications Specialist

Laird's article, Testing Wi-Fi Functionality in Medical Devices, written by Natalie Sheerer, was recently featured in AGL Small Cell Magazine. The article presents the key requirements for testing Wi-Fi in challenging hospital environments.

Applications on many medial devices require secure and persistent network connections. However, hospitals often present challenges to reliable Wi-Fi connectivity. To ensure reliable functionality, a Wi-Fi radio that is embedded in a medical device must be tested thoroughly. But where, and how?

Testing the RF characteristics of a Wi-Fi radio includes testing the radio's compliance with various regulatory requirements, its range, and its ability to handle RF interference. The article addresses testing RF performance of a Wi-Fi radio in the often challenging infrastructure provided in a hospital. It covers interoperability with hospital Wi-Fi infrastructures, security, and mobility of Wi-Fi enabled medical devices.

The article also provides best practices for testing. To determine how a Wi-Fi radio embedded in a medical device will perform in a particular hospital setting, the most obvious place to test is in that specific hospital. However, conducting tests on medical devices within a hospital is not always viable nor recommended. This article provides alternatives to smartly simulate the RF characteristics of a hospital to ensure optimal performance while minimizing risk.

To read the full article, visit AGL Small Cell Magazine.