US20110117869A1 - Multiple band portable spectrum analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for detecting RF power information, for use as a stand alone purpose built device, or connectable to an external computing instrument such as a laptop, PDA, or cell phone, or other similarly capable technology. The device scans two or more bands in the wireless frequency and provides output to the user with wireless information about multiple bands of information.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The invention generally relates to the field of spectrum analyzers, and more particularly to a mobile device which analyzes multiple bands of RF frequencies.
• 2. Background
• Wireless networks operating under standard IEEE 802.11, also known as Wi-Fi, are wireless local area network (WLAN) technology commonly used for networking computers together. Wi-Fi can operate in either the 2.4 GHZ Industrial Scientific Medical (ISM) band, or in the 5 GHz band. The 2.4 GHz band is roughly 100 MHz wide. Within that band there are 14 channels that are 22 MHz wide. Due to frequency constraints in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, these Wi-Fi channels overlap each other. The 5 GHz band is 600 MHz wide with 25 channels. Also, the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands share frequencies with a number of other users such as cordless telephones, Bluetooth® devices, ZigBee® devices. To the 802.11 WLAN devices, these other devices may be viewed as interferers. These potential interference sources may cause difficulty with network communications.
• When setting up a wireless network or troubleshooting network problems, it is necessary to learn what portions of the available radio frequencies, or bands, are free of interfering signals. The test instrument most commonly used for such a task is the spectrum analyzer. A spectrum analyzer scans, or ‘sweeps’ the desired range of frequencies, then normally plots the strengths of the signals received in the vertical axis against the scanned frequencies on the horizontal axis. The result of such a sweep is shown on a graphic display to enable a user to graphically see the spectrum that is analyzed. Spectrum analyzers are specialized test instruments that often cover broad ranges of frequencies. Conventional spectrum analyzers focus on features that enhance the accuracy of measurements, such as: sweep time, principles of the invention, resolution bandwidth and frequency range. These features often require specialized hardware. For instance, conventional spectrum analyzers typically contain dedicated hardware capable of quickly taking precise measurements. This specialized hardware is typically bulky and cost prohibitive for a small scale user, such as a small business, a personal computer user, or highly mobile technical support personnel. Conventional spectrum analyzers also lack certain spectrum display and data manipulation features, creating additional work for a user desiring a particular display or spectrum data manipulation. For example, conventional spectrum analyzers typically graph amplitude versus frequency, requiring users to mentally map channels utilized by devices onto the frequency axis. Furthermore, while conventional spectrum analyzers allow an image to be saved, the image is generally only a representation of a single instant in time.
• Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a portable and inexpensive device for portable analyzing and troubleshooting the Wi-Fi spectrum.
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,459,898 to Woodings discloses a System and Apparatus for Detecting and Analyzing a Frequency Spectrum. The apparatus is suitable for spectrum analysis in the 2.4 GHz radio frequency band. The apparatus is a small device that plugs into an available Universal Serial Bus (USB) port of a computing device such as a laptop computer. The result is a highly portable system that includes a 2.4 GHz radio system and hardware to support USB communications. The apparatus together with its companion software, which runs on the connected computer, functions as a spectrum analyzer. The software and the hardware apparatus are operated from the computer's graphical user interface (GUI). GUI's are a standard part of modern computer operating systems such as the common Microsoft® Windows operating systems.
• What is needed is a small, portable, and inexpensive device that will perform spectrum analysis on at least the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio frequency bands. The device should work with a computer that has a GUI, and ideally existing software capable of spectrum analysis and display should be utilized.
SUMMARY
• The invention is a device for detecting and analyzing the frequency spectrum of at least two distinct bands, the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. One embodiment of the present invention may comprise a portable hardware device including a 2.4 GHz radio system, together with hardware to convert signals in the 5 GHz band down to 2.4 GHz for detection by the 2.4 GHz radio system, thus allowing the device to detect signals in two bands with a single radio, or with two radios both reading the 2.4 GHz band. The radio system detects radio frequency (RF) power present across the scanned band. The device also includes a means to connect and communicate with a computing device, preferably a laptop computer, or possibly a cell phone, PDA, or other portable computing means. One means of communicating with computer is to use a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and connector. The device should also be suitable for operation with existing software applications designed for radio frequency spectrum analysis.
• The apparatus of the invention is a device for receiving and detecting radio frequency signals on at least two different bands, the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, for use with a computing device such as a laptop computer, cell phone, a PDA, or other portable computing devices, or as a stand alone purpose built device. The computing device used with the apparatus of the invention preferably includes a graphical user interface. The device includes a housing in which the components of the device are enclosed. It also includes an antenna which is attached to the housing or may be inside the housing, and is configured for receiving radio frequency signals. Included with one embodiment of the device is a switch for selecting a band of radio frequencys for detection. Once the wireless band is selected, the device is capable of routing signals from that band directly to a radio system for detection, or for sending the signals to a band pass filter.
• The band pass filter passes signals in the desired frequency band of network signals and rejects all other signals. The device also includes a mixer for converting radio frequency signals to the particular band which may be received by the radio system. In one embodiment of the invention the band received by the radio system is 2.4 GHz. This particular frequency has advantages because radios for detecting this frequency of signals are relatively inexpensive.
• The mixer in the device may be used to convert 5 GHz signals into 2.4 GHz. This conversion takes place because the preferred radio is a 2.4 GHz radio. By using the band pass filter and the mixer to filter out unwanted signals and convert desired signals to a frequency compatible with a single band radio, more than one band may be analyzed using that single band radio. An oscillator is provided with the device to provide local oscillator input which is required for the mixer to function.
• The radio system thus includes at least one radio receiver, with that receiver configured to detect RF power in a single RF band. Certain configurations of the device can also perform the same function using two 2.4 GHz radios, with one receiving the 2.4 GHz band directly, and one receiving the 5 GHz band stepped down to 2.4 GHz.
• A connector is provided which may be a USB connector for attaching the device to a computer, or could be other types of conventional connecters to attach to the preferred computing device, such as cables and connectors for PDAs and cell phones. The connector device allows the physical attachment of the device to the computing device, and provides for transfer of the commands and data between the computing device and the apparatus of the invention. The apparatus may also be powered through the connector.
• The apparatus is thus configured to detect RF power on two or more radio frequency bands with the device configured to utilize radios capable of detection of only one band, but with the data input to the one or more radios being converted from other bands. The device would be configured to be switchable between reading a first band and a second band. The user may manually select a band or configure the device to automatically switch between the bands. When the device is switched to reading a first band, information about that selected band is displayed in the graphical user interface of the computing device. It is also possible for data about both bands to be displayed simultaneously, either from both bands being read simultaneously or sequentially as the device is switched from one band to the other.
• The oscillator is a voltage controlled oscillator in which the output frequency is controlled by the micro-controller included in the radio system. The voltage controlled oscillator frequency may be varied to allow a narrow band radio to detect RF power across a broad band.
• An additional embodiment of the present invention is a method for detecting and analyzing RF power on selected radio frequency bands. The method may comprise the following: 1) providing a small hardware device, which may comprise a radio system, a micro-controller, and memory, and be suitable for detecting RF power across frequency spectrum; 2) providing a computing device with a graphical user interface; 3) providing spectrum analysis software suitable for operation with the small hardware device; 4) connecting the small hardware device to the computing device; 5) selecting a wireless frequency band for spectrum analysis; 6) detecting RF power across the selected band; 7) transferring data to a computing device; 8) providing a graphical display of detected RF power across the selected band. The radio system is made up of one or more radios of a selected frequency such as 2.4 GHz radios. The system utilizes single band radio or radios to analyze two or more RF bands.
• This invention is also a method for detecting and analyzing the frequency spectrum of at least two distinct bands using a portable device which incorporates one or more radios which are configured to analyze only one band. Typically, the radios would be one or more radios which detect and analyze signals in the 2.4 GHz band, but the method of the device results in using those radios to detect and analyze both 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz bands, and other bands are additionally possible. The method involves the steps of connecting the portable device to a computing device. The next step is to receive RF signals at the portable device antenna. The antenna can be internal to the housing of the device, or it can be an external component of the device. The next step is to provide within the device a switch for selecting which band of radio frequency signals are to be analyzed by the device. If the 2.4 GHz band is to be detected, the switch would be positioned to route the signals directly to a radio system. If, for instance, the 5 GHz band is selected for detection, the switch would be set to route the signals to a band pass filter, which will only pass signals in the desired band. Next the signals passed by the band pass filter are routed to a mixer. In the mixer, signals from the band pass filter are combined with signals from the oscillator for conversion to the band received by the radio. This step is accomplished by adjusting the oscillator output so the mixer output is converted to be compatible with the radio. For example, the mixer step may result in 5 GHz signals being mixed with signals from the oscillator for down conversion to 2.4 GHz for analysis by a 2.4 GHz radio.
• The next step of the method is providing a connecter which allows the device to connect to a computing device. The computing device can be a laptop computer, a PDA, a cell phone, or other portable computing devices. The connecter can be a USB connection or other connecters normally used in the industry at present, or those which may become standard connecting devices in the future.
• The method of the invention can also comprise the step of providing a second radio, with the signals from the switch being routed to either the first radio or the second radio. Both the first radio and the second radio are configured to operate on the 2.4 GHz band, with RF power signals in the 2.4 GHz band being routed directly to the second radio, and being routed to the first radio after first being down converted from the 5 GHz band into the 2.4 GHz band.
• The purpose of the Abstract is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
• Still other features and advantages of the claimed invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a radio system used in the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the method of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for detecting and analyzing afrequency spectrum10 is shown. The device includes ahousing12 to contain the circuitry and components of the apparatus.Antenna14 is mounted to the internal board and may be inside or outside the housing.Connector16 allows the apparatus to be plugged into an available port on a computing device. The computing device can be a laptop computer, or other computing device types could be utilized such as a cell phone, a PDA, or other computing means. Although a USB connecter is shown inFIG. 1, other types of connectors could also be utilized with the device when connecting to different types of computing devices.Connector16 may be a common type such as a USB connector or other common serial or parallel port connecters. While theantenna14 shown inFIG. 1 is external to the housing, an internal antenna, however, may be used and located inside theapparatus housing12. Theapparatus housing12 is a small device to facilitate ease of portable use.
• Referring now toFIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.Antenna14 for receiving signals is connected to aswitch18. This embodiment of the present invention includes two switches18. Oneswitch18 is connected to the antenna; thesecond switch18 is connected to theradio32. The switches can be set to route signals from the antenna directly to theradio32 or to aband pass filter22. In the preferred embodiment theradio32 is a 2.4 GHz radio, which receives signals in the 2.4 GHz band. If the signals to be analyzed are in the 2.4 GHz band received by theradio32 they may be routed directly to theradio32. If the signals to be analyzed are not in the band directly received by theradio32, switches18 are positioned to route those signals to bandpass filter22.Band pass filter22 allows only signals in a selected band to pass on to the RF input ofmixer24.Oscillator26 provides a signal to the local oscillator input ofmixer24. In themixer24 the signal at the RF input is mathematically multiplied together with the signal at the local oscillator input of themixer24, themixer24 creates an intermediate frequency signal output. The intermediate frequency signal has two component frequencies: 1) a down converted signal with a frequency equal to the RF input frequency minus the local oscillator frequency, and 2) an up converted signal with a frequency equal to the RF input frequency plus the local oscillator frequency. If for instance,radio32 receives signals in the 2.4 GHz band and it is desired to use thatradio32 to analyze 5 GHz signals, the 5 GHz signals would be converted down to 2.4 GHz by themixer24, with input from theoscillator26. The oscillator input to themixer24 is determined by the difference of the frequency desired to be received and the frequency received by the radio system.
• By way of an example, ifradio32 receives 2.4 GHz signals and it is desired to receive signals from the 5 GHz band, signals fromantenna14 are routed throughswitch18 to bandpass filter22. Theband pass filter22 would be designed to pass only signals in the 5 GHz band, any received 5 GHz signals will pass to the RF input ofmixer24.Oscillator26 would be set to produce a signal that is 2.6 GHz and that 2.6 GHz signal is available at the local oscillator input ofmixer24 Whenmixer24 processes the 5 GHz input signal and the 2.6 GHz local oscillator signal the resulting frequencies are 5-2.6 or 2.4 GHz and 5+2.6 or 7.6 GHz. The 2.4 GHz down converted signal output from intermediate frequency output ofmixer24 is sent toradio32 through thesecond switch18 toradio32 where RF power on the down converted signal is detected.
• Connector16 allows the apparatus to be connected to a computer. The connection provided throughconnecter16 may supply power to theapparatus10 as well as facilitating the exchange of data and commands between theapparatus10 and the connected computer. Detected RF power data fromradio32 is processed bymicro-controller34 for transfer to the connected computer throughconnector16.
• Connector16 maybe also be a fixed or semi-fixed type connector whereby the apparatus is connected to, or integrated into a portable computing device. The combination of the apparatus integrated with a portable computing device is a custom handheld apparatus for detecting and analyzing a frequency spectrum.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment includes anantenna14,switch18,connector16,band pass filter22,mixer24, andoscillator26. In this embodiment, two radio systems are used. Afirst radio system28 includes at least a receiver. An example of a radio that may be used as afirst radio system28 is a Texas Instruments CC2500 radio which receives signals in the 2.4 GHz band. A second radio system that includes at least aradio32, amicro-controller34,memory36, and support hardware for acommunications port38. An example of a second radio system is a Texas Instruments CC2511 2.4 GHz radio system. In particular, the second radio system on this embodiment may include a USB port to allow connection with virtually all modern personal computing devices.
• In operation, the embodiment shown inFIG. 3 includesantenna14 to receive signals, and switch18 is set to route the signals to thefirst radio28 or to theband pass filter22. If signals in the 2.4 GHz band are to be analyzed, switch18 is set to route signals tofirst radio28. The first radio receiver detects RF power in the 2.4 GHz band. The data detected by thefirst radio28 includes a measure of relative RF power present across the analyzed band. The data from thefirst radio28 is routed to secondradio system micro-controller34. Secondradio system micro-controller34 transfers the detected information transferred from thefirst radio system28 to the connected computing device throughconnector16. If it is desired to detect signals other than 2.4 GHz,switch18 is set to route signals to theband pass filter22.Band pass filter22 is designed to pass signals in the desired band. As described in the discussion ofFIG. 2, theoscillator26 provides a local oscillator signal to themixer24.Mixer24 then converts the received signals to 2.4 GHz for detection by theradio32 of the second radio system. Detected data is then transferred throughmicro-controller34 and is made available to the connected computer throughconnector16.
• If it is desired to simultaneously scan both bands, switch18 would be alternately set to route signals tofirst radio28 then to bandpass filter22 for analysis. In this manner two bands may be analyzed simultaneously by sharingantenna14. To accomplish this simultaneous analysis of two bands, switch18 would be controlled from the connected computing device using the graphic user interface to command the neededautomatic switch18 operation.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the major components ofradio system30. Theradio system30 includes at least aradio32. That radio is comprised of at least a receiver and in the preferred embodiment the radio is a 2.4 GHz transceiver. The second radio system also includes amicro-controller34,memory36, and hardware to support aUSB port connection38. Theradio system30 ofFIG. 4 would be utilized in the devices ofFIGS. 2,3 and5.
• Referring now toFIG. 5 a block diagram of the preferred embodiment is shown. The preferred embodiment is designed to detect and analyze signals in the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio frequency bands. This embodiment includes anantenna14, andswitch18. In this embodiment, switch18 is a solid state switch controlled by themicro-controller34 in the second radio system.Switch18 can be set to route signals received atantenna14 to eitherfirst radio system28, or to firstband pass filter40. When the switch is set to route signals to thefirst radio system28 the detector in thefirst radio system28 detects RF power in the 2.4 GHz radio frequency band received by the antenna. Detected 2.4 GHz information is transferred to themicro-controller34 of the second radio system where it can be processed and transferred to a connected computer throughconnecter16.
• If it is desired to detect and analyze 5 GHz signals, switch18 is set to route signals received by theantenna14 to the firstband pass filter40. The radio frequency signals from firstband pass filter40 are sent to afirst amplifier42. Thefirst amplifier42 is a low noise amplifier with the function of restoring signal strength lost due to attenuation in firstband pass filter40, without corrupting the signal to be analyzed. Fromfirst amplifier42 the signal is sent to the RF input ofmixer24.Oscillator26 produces a local oscillator signal for use withmixer24. In this embodiment, theoscillator24 is an integrated voltage controlled oscillator and phase locked loop. Second band pass filters44 remove unwanted noise from theoscillator26 output.Second amplifiers46 increase the amplitude of the local oscillator signal for use by themixer24. In the preferred embodiment there are three stages of second band pass filters44 and twosecond amplifiers46. Selection of alternate filters or amplifiers may increase or decrease the number of filter and amplifier stages required to present a local oscillator signal of the desired quality and strength to the local oscillator input ofmixer26.Integrated oscillator26 is controlled by themicro-controller34 in the second radio system.
• The second radio system includes a 2.4GHz radio32 which receives wireless signals and detects RF power in the 2.4 GHz band. Therefore, the 5 GHz wireless radio signals received at the antenna and routed throughswitch18 to firstband pass filter40 are converted down in the mixer to 2.4 GHz for detection byradio32 in the second radio system. To detect signals across the 600 MHzwide band 5 GHz RF band with a 2.4 GHz radio that operates in a 100 MHz wide RF band, the local oscillator signal presented tomixer24 is sequentially stepped 100 MHz at a time so that the intermediate frequency output frommixer24 presents, in a piece wise fashion, the 600 MHz wide frequency spectrum of the 5 GHz radio frequency band to the 100 MHz wide 2.4 GHz receiver. In an alternate embodiment the output signal fromoscillator26 could be swept continuously across the 600 MHz wide local oscillator frequency required to down convert the 5 GHz radio frequency band for detection in the 2.4GHz radio32. Detected information is sent to the computing device by way ofconnector16. The piece wise data detected by the 2.4GHz radio32 is processed for display on the connected computing device as a continuous 5 GHz radio frequency band spectrum if desired.
• The method for detecting and analyzing the frequency spectrum of at least two distinct bands using a portable device is shown inFIG. 6. Themethod60 involves using a portable RF power signal analyzer to analyze multiple RF bands. Themethod60 begins with the step of connecting the portable device to acomputing device62. The next step inmethod60 is the step of receiving RF power signals at the antenna of theportable device64. From that point the method diverges into one of the embodiments shown inFIG. 6. One embodiment involves use of a device with asingle radio66, and another embodiment involves use of a device with tworadios68. Each of these embodiments analyzes the 2.4 and the 5 GHz bands.
• In the oneradio embodiment66, the switch is used to select a band to be analyzed70. To analyze 2.4 GHz signals, the switch is set to route 2.4 GHz band signals to theradio72. After routing to the radio, the next step is using the 2.4 GHz radio to analyze RF power in the 2.4GHz band74. The results of analysis are graphically displayed on the computing device to which the portable device is attached76. Attachment would typically be a USB port, but other connection protocols and devices may also be utilized as they become available in the industry.
• As an alternative to reading the 2.4 GHz band, the switch may be set to route 5 GHz signals to theband pass filter78. Theband pass filter80 only passes signals in the 5 GHz band. 5 GHz signals are the routed to themixer82. The oscillator is adjusted to provide signal to the mixer such that the mixer down converts the 5 GHz signals to 2.4GHz84. The next step is analyzing the 2.4 GHz down converted signals from the mixer to the 2.4GHz radio74. The step after analysis is displaying the result graphically on the computing device to which the portable device is attached76.
• In the case of a tworadio embodiment68, the switch is used to select either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band foranalysis86. If the 2.4 GHz signals are selected to be analyzed first, the next step is routing the 2.4 GHz signal from the antenna to one of the two 2.4GHz radios88. That radio is designated as thesecond radio98. Thesecond radio98 is a 2.4 GHz radio which analyzes RF power signals in the 2.4 GHz band. Results of the analysis of the 2.4 GHz band are displayed on the graphic display of thecomputing device76.
• After analyzing the information for the 2.4 GHz band, the next step is to adjust the switch to select the 5GHz band86. Then, the next step is to route the 5 GHz signal to theband pass filter90. In the bandpass filter step92, all but the 5 GHz signals are removed, then the 5 GHz signals are routed to themixer94. The oscillator is adjusted to provide a signal to the mixer so the mixer down converts the 5 GHz signals to 2.4GHz96. From the mixer the 2.4 GHz band is routed to another 2.4 GHz radio, designated thefirst radio100, which then analyzes RF power in the 5 GHz band. Following analysis in thefirst radio100, results are passed on to the computing device forgraphic display76.
• While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims (19)

1. An apparatus for receiving radio frequency signals and detecting radio frequency signals on at least two different bands, comprising:

a housing for enclosing components of the apparatus;

an antenna attached to said housing for receiving radio frequency signals;

a switch for selecting a band of radio frequency signals for detection by sending signals directly to a radio system for detection or to a band pass filter;

a band pass filter for selecting a radio frequency band;

a mixer for down converting radio frequency signals to a band received by said radio system;

an oscillator for generating a local oscillator signal for said mixer, for defining the frequency of signals passed by said mixer;

said radio system comprising at least a first radio receiver configured to detect RF power in a single radio frequency band; and

a computing device with a graphical user interface and configured to display data from said radio system; wherein

said apparatus is configured to detect RF power on two or more radio frequency bands, with said first radio of said radio system configured to detect information from only one radio frequency band, by said radio system receiving data for a first band from said antenna, or from a second radio frequency band by routing second radio frequency band signals through said band pass filter for down conversion then through said mixer in which second radio frequency band signals are converted to said first band whereby said radio system can detect second radio frequency band signals.

2. The device ofclaim 1 in which computing device comprises a separate device configured to interface with said apparatus for receiving radio frequency signals and detecting radio frequency signals on at least two different bands.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein:

said radio system further comprises a least a 2.4 GHz radio receiver, a microcontroller, memory, and at least one port configured for communication with a USB port on said computing device.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein:

said oscillator is a voltage controlled oscillator and the output frequency of said voltage controlled oscillator is controlled by said microcontroller; wherein, said voltage controlled oscillator frequency is varied to allow a narrow band radio to scan a broad band.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 in which said mixer is configured to down convert signals in the 5 GHz band to 2.4 GHz for RF power detection by said radio system.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 in which said first radio has a capacity to detect RF power in approximately a bandwidth of 100 MHz in the 2.4 GHz band.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 1 in which said oscillator output is stepped in increments, for scanning the full width of said second radio frequency band in an incremental manner, for RF power detection by a radio with a bandwidth at least as wide as said stepped increments.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 7 in which said oscillator output is stepped in 100 MHz increments, for scanning the full width of the 5 GHz band in an incremental manner, for RF power detection by a radio with a 100 MHz bandwidth.

9. The apparatus ofclaim 1 which further comprises a second radio for detecting RF power in the 2.4 GHz band, with said signal from said antenna being routable to said second radio for detection of RF power in the 2.4 GHz band, and with said signal from said antenna being routable to said mixer for down conversion to 2.4 GHz and for detection of RF power in the 5 GHz band in the 2.4 GHz first radio.

10. An apparatus for receiving radio frequency signals and detecting radio frequency signals on at least two different bands, for use with a computing device, wherein said computing device includes a graphical user interface, comprising:

a housing for enclosing components of the apparatus;

an antenna attached to said housing for receiving radio frequency signals;

a switch for selecting a band of radio frequency signals for detection by sending signals directly to a radio system for detection or to a band pass filter;

a band pass filter for selecting a radio frequency band;

a mixer for down converting signals in the 5 GHz band to 2.4 GHz for RF power detection by a 2.4 GHz radio receiver;

an oscillator for generating a local oscillator signal for said mixer, for defining the frequency of signals passed by said mixer, with said oscillator being a voltage controlled oscillator controlled by said microcontroller; wherein, said voltage controlled oscillator frequency is varied to control the down conversion at said mixer;

said radio system comprising at least a 2.4 GHz first radio receiver, a microcontroller, memory, and at least one port configured for communication with a USB port on said computing device configured to detect RF power in a single radio frequency band; and

a connector attached to said housing and configured for removable attachment to said computing device, said connector for transfer of detected network information from said radio system to said computing device and configured to exchange commands and data with said computing device; wherein

said apparatus is configured to detect RF power on two or more radio frequency bands, with said first radio of said radio system configured to detect information from only one radio frequency band, by said radio system receiving data for a first band from said antenna, or from a second radio frequency band by routing second radio frequency band signals through said band pass filter for down conversion then through said mixer in which second radio frequency band signals are converted to said first band whereby said radio system can detect second radio frequency band signals.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 10 in which said first radio has a capacity to detect RF power in approximately a bandwidth of 100 MHz in the 2.4 GHz band.

12. The apparatus ofclaim 10 in which said oscillator output is stepped in increments, for scanning the full width of said second radio frequency band in incremental manner, for RF power detection by a radio with a bandwidth at least as wide as said stepped increments.

13. The apparatus ofclaim 12 in which said oscillator output is stepped in 100 MHz increments, for scanning the full width of the 5 GHz band in incremental manner, for RF power detection by a radio with a 100 MHz bandwidth.

14. The apparatus ofclaim 10 which further comprises a second radio for detecting RF power in the 2.4 GHz band, with said signal from said antenna being routable to said second radio for detection of RF power in the 2.4 GHz band, and with said signal from said antenna being routable to said mixer for down conversion to 2.4 GHz and for detection of RF power in the 5 GHz band in the 2.4 GHz first radio.

15. An apparatus for receiving radio frequency signals and detecting radio frequency signals on at least two different bands, for use with a computing device where said computing device includes a graphical user interface, comprising:

a housing for enclosing components of the apparatus;

an antenna attached to said housing for receiving radio frequency signals;

a switch for selecting a band of radio frequency signals for detection by sending signals to a second radio for detection or to a band pass filter before routing to a first radio;

a band pass filter for selecting a radio frequency band;

a mixer for down converting radio frequency signals to a band received by said radio system;

an oscillator for generating a local oscillator signal for said mixer, for defining the frequency of signals passed by said mixer;

said radio system comprising a first radio receiver configured to detect RF power in the 2.4 GHz band and a second radio receiver for detecting RF power in the 2.4 GHz band, with said signal from said antenna being routable to said second radio for direct detection of RF power in the 2.4 GHz band, and with said signal from said antenna being routable to said mixer for down conversion from the 5 GHz band to 2.4 GHz, for detection of RF power in the 5 GHz band in the 2.4 GHz first radio; and

a connector attached to said housing and configured for removable attachment to said computing device, said connector for transfer of detected network information from said radio system to said computing device and configured to exchange commands and data with said computing device; wherein

said apparatus is configured to detect RF power on two or more radio frequency bands, with said second radio of said radio system configured to detect RF power from the 2.4 GHz band radio frequency band, by said radio system receiving data for the 2.4 GHz band from said antenna, or from the 5 GHz band by routing radio frequency signals through said band pass filter to said mixer for down conversion from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz.

16. The apparatus ofclaim 15 in which said first radio has a capacity to detect RF power in approximately a bandwidth of 100 MHz in the 2.4 GHz band.

17. The apparatus ofclaim 15 in which said oscillator output is stepped in increments, for scanning the full width of the 5 GHz band in incremental manner, for RF power detection by a radio with a bandwidth at least as wide as said stepped increments.

18. The apparatus ofclaim 17 in which said oscillator output is stepped in 100 MHz increments, for scanning the full width of the 5 GHz band in incremental manner, for RF power detection by a radio with a 100 MHz bandwidth.

19. The apparatus ofclaim 15 which further comprises a second radio for detecting RF power in the 2.4 GHz band, with said signal from said antenna being routable to said second radio for detection of RF power in the 2.4 GHz band, and with said signal from said antenna being routable to said mixer for down conversion to 2.4 GHz and for detection of RF power in the 5 GHz band in the 2.4 GHz first radio.

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