Cognio
Encyclopedia
Cognio, Inc. builds RF spectrum analysis solutions that find and solve wi-fi channel interference problems on wireless networks and in wireless applications, such as RFID. Designed for the frequency bands in common use today (802.11a/b/g and RFID), Cognio’s product, Spectrum Expert, helps network engineers analyze, diagnose, and locate sources of 802.11 interference within the enterprise's RF environment. Cognio was acquired by Cisco Systems in 2007.
management software since the spring of 2005 and has built a base of over a thousand customers. Cognio sells its wireless Internet connectivity solutions directly, through resellers, and through OEM partnerships with companies such as AirMagnet, Fluke Networks, and WildPackets.
Cognio is headquartered in Germantown
, Maryland
(near Washington, D.C.
), USA, and is privately held with investments from North Bridge Venture Partners, ABS Ventures, and Avansis Ventures. The company currently has 35 employees.
Cognio has been granted 12 patents, and has submitted 172 patent applications for its RF analysis technology.
Cognio’s Market: Spectrum Analysis Software for Enterprise Communications
Cognio sells its WiFi spectrum analyzer products primarily to network engineers and field service engineers responsible for security for wireless networks or applications that run on wireless networks. These engineers need to be able to troubleshoot an RF interference pattern or problems that hamper wireless communications.
In a wireless network, devices communicate by transmitting radio waves. Each type of network operates in a specific range of radio wave frequencies. This range is called a spectrum.
IEEE 802.11
wireless networks operate in an unlicensed spectrum. That is, their frequency bands are not licensed by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) or other organizations exclusively for 802.11 traffic. Instead, the spectrum is shared with many other types of devices, such as cordless phones and Bluetooth
devices. Because it was designed for use in a shared spectrum, 802.11 technology checks to see if the airwaves are sufficiently clear before transmitting messages. This means that if the airwaves are crowded with other radio signals, an 802.11 device will shut itself out of communications.
There are many possible sources of RF interference for 802.11 networks. First, other nearby 802.11 WLANs may cause wi-fi channel interference. Second, other communication devices that share the same spectrum—devices such as Bluetooth headsets—may cause 802.11 interference. Third, interference may originate from the radio energy given off by other electronic devices, such as video cameras and microwave ovens.
RF interference may result in slow network performance and dropped connections. Devices such as RF jammers and certain types of video cameras can prevent WLANs from communicating at all.
Most WLAN management tools do not measure or analyze RF interference problems. They monitor only Layers 2 and up in the OSI model
. They might report that performance is slow, but they are typically unable to report that slow performance is caused by WiFi interference. Consequently, WLAN network engineers detecting poor connectivity in wireless internet areas are often left without any WiFi tools for analyzing RF interference, for measuring the effects of RF interference on specific channels of a network, and for identifying the type and location of sources of interference.
Network engineers could make use of scientific spectrum analyzers. But these tools, which were designed for use in laboratory settings, are often too large and heavy for use by network administrators moving throughout a building during the course of a day. Also, many of these WiFi spectrum analyzers cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Cognio Spectrum Expert for WiFi enables network engineers to identify and locate sources of Wi-Fi channel interference on 802.11 networks. The product consists of a PC CardBus card that includes a built-in antenna and hardware designed to rapidly analyze RF activity. Spectrum Expert for WiFi scans the radio spectrum used for 802.11b and 802.11g networks (2.4 to 2.5 GHz). It can also scan the spectrum used for 802.11a networks (4.9 GHz to 5.9 GHz).
Cognio Spectrum Expert for RFID is similar to the WiFi product, except that it scans the radio spectrum used for RFID tags (851-870 MHz and 902-960 MHz).
Using Spectrum Expert for WiFi, network engineers can see a list of all the devices transmitting in a WLAN’s spectrum. Spectrum Expert’s bar graphs show how much Wi-Fi channel interference a specific device is causing on a specific channel of a WLAN.
Once they identify an interfering device, network engineers can use Spectrum Expert’s Device Locator feature, which works like a sort of RF Geiger counter
, to track the signal strength and location of the device, so it can be removed, repositioned, or shielded.
, Advanced Telecom Systems, Cumulus Consulting Group, Elexo, Lumiad, Meritech, The PR Group, Psiber, Streakwave, Tessco, Test Tools Europe Ltd., and Unitronics.
In addition, Cognio works with training partners to offer training on spectrum analysis for Wi-Fi networks. Cognio’s training partners are Security University and SpectroTech.
On February 26, 2007, Cisco launched a section devoted to RF interference which features the Cognio Spectrum Expert solution.
WiFi Management Software Customers Cognio has sold its wireless spectrum analyzer products to over 500 businesses. Customers include the Chicago Board of Trade, Christiana Care, FedEx, Honda, Microsoft, NetStar Telecommunications, Seven Eleven, Siemens, SkyPilot Networks, and the University of Richmond.
Company overview
Cognio has been shipping the Spectrum Expert WiFiWIFI
WIFI is a radio station broadcasting a brokered format. Licensed to Florence, New Jersey, USA, the station is currently operated by Florence Broadcasting Partners, LLC.This station was previously owned by Real Life Broadcasting...
management software since the spring of 2005 and has built a base of over a thousand customers. Cognio sells its wireless Internet connectivity solutions directly, through resellers, and through OEM partnerships with companies such as AirMagnet, Fluke Networks, and WildPackets.
Cognio is headquartered in Germantown
Germantown, Montgomery County, Maryland
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,395 people, and 30,531 households residing in the area. The population density was 7,999.5 people per square mile . There were 31,807 housing units at an average density of 2,001.9 per square mile...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
(near Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
), USA, and is privately held with investments from North Bridge Venture Partners, ABS Ventures, and Avansis Ventures. The company currently has 35 employees.
Cognio has been granted 12 patents, and has submitted 172 patent applications for its RF analysis technology.
Cognio’s Market: Spectrum Analysis Software for Enterprise Communications
Cognio sells its WiFi spectrum analyzer products primarily to network engineers and field service engineers responsible for security for wireless networks or applications that run on wireless networks. These engineers need to be able to troubleshoot an RF interference pattern or problems that hamper wireless communications.
In a wireless network, devices communicate by transmitting radio waves. Each type of network operates in a specific range of radio wave frequencies. This range is called a spectrum.
IEEE 802.11
IEEE 802.11
IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards for implementing wireless local area network computer communication in the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands. They are created and maintained by the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee . The base version of the standard IEEE 802.11-2007 has had subsequent...
wireless networks operate in an unlicensed spectrum. That is, their frequency bands are not licensed by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) or other organizations exclusively for 802.11 traffic. Instead, the spectrum is shared with many other types of devices, such as cordless phones and Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
devices. Because it was designed for use in a shared spectrum, 802.11 technology checks to see if the airwaves are sufficiently clear before transmitting messages. This means that if the airwaves are crowded with other radio signals, an 802.11 device will shut itself out of communications.
There are many possible sources of RF interference for 802.11 networks. First, other nearby 802.11 WLANs may cause wi-fi channel interference. Second, other communication devices that share the same spectrum—devices such as Bluetooth headsets—may cause 802.11 interference. Third, interference may originate from the radio energy given off by other electronic devices, such as video cameras and microwave ovens.
RF interference may result in slow network performance and dropped connections. Devices such as RF jammers and certain types of video cameras can prevent WLANs from communicating at all.
Most WLAN management tools do not measure or analyze RF interference problems. They monitor only Layers 2 and up in the OSI model
OSI model
The Open Systems Interconnection model is a product of the Open Systems Interconnection effort at the International Organization for Standardization. It is a prescription of characterizing and standardizing the functions of a communications system in terms of abstraction layers. Similar...
. They might report that performance is slow, but they are typically unable to report that slow performance is caused by WiFi interference. Consequently, WLAN network engineers detecting poor connectivity in wireless internet areas are often left without any WiFi tools for analyzing RF interference, for measuring the effects of RF interference on specific channels of a network, and for identifying the type and location of sources of interference.
Network engineers could make use of scientific spectrum analyzers. But these tools, which were designed for use in laboratory settings, are often too large and heavy for use by network administrators moving throughout a building during the course of a day. Also, many of these WiFi spectrum analyzers cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Wireless spectrum analyzer products
Cognio currently sells two products: Spectrum Expert for WiFi and Spectrum Expert for RFID. (In its product naming, Cognio omits the hyphen that normally appears in the word Wi-Fi.)Cognio Spectrum Expert for WiFi enables network engineers to identify and locate sources of Wi-Fi channel interference on 802.11 networks. The product consists of a PC CardBus card that includes a built-in antenna and hardware designed to rapidly analyze RF activity. Spectrum Expert for WiFi scans the radio spectrum used for 802.11b and 802.11g networks (2.4 to 2.5 GHz). It can also scan the spectrum used for 802.11a networks (4.9 GHz to 5.9 GHz).
Cognio Spectrum Expert for RFID is similar to the WiFi product, except that it scans the radio spectrum used for RFID tags (851-870 MHz and 902-960 MHz).
Cognio spectrum expert for WiFi interference monitoring
Cognio Spectrum Expert for WiFi is a PC-laptop-based solution for RF spectrum analysis. The product consists of a Windows application and a CardBus card that features a built-in antenna and Cognio’s patented RF analysis technology.Using Spectrum Expert for WiFi, network engineers can see a list of all the devices transmitting in a WLAN’s spectrum. Spectrum Expert’s bar graphs show how much Wi-Fi channel interference a specific device is causing on a specific channel of a WLAN.
Once they identify an interfering device, network engineers can use Spectrum Expert’s Device Locator feature, which works like a sort of RF Geiger counter
Geiger counter
A Geiger counter, also called a Geiger–Müller counter, is a type of particle detector that measures ionizing radiation. They detect the emission of nuclear radiation: alpha particles, beta particles or gamma rays. A Geiger counter detects radiation by ionization produced in a low-pressure gas in a...
, to track the signal strength and location of the device, so it can be removed, repositioned, or shielded.
Channels and partners
Cognio sells its products primarily through OEMs and resellers. OEM partners include AirMagnet, Fluke Networks, and WildPackets. Resellers include CiscoCisco
Cisco may refer to:Companies:*Cisco Systems, a computer networking company* Certis CISCO, corporatised entity of the former Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation in Singapore...
, Advanced Telecom Systems, Cumulus Consulting Group, Elexo, Lumiad, Meritech, The PR Group, Psiber, Streakwave, Tessco, Test Tools Europe Ltd., and Unitronics.
In addition, Cognio works with training partners to offer training on spectrum analysis for Wi-Fi networks. Cognio’s training partners are Security University and SpectroTech.
Partnership with Cisco
On October 3, 2006, Cognio and Cisco announced a partnership to "...address a significant and growing issue facing pervasive enterprise deployments of Wi-Fi networks - radio frequency (RF) interference.”On February 26, 2007, Cisco launched a section devoted to RF interference which features the Cognio Spectrum Expert solution.
WiFi Management Software Customers Cognio has sold its wireless spectrum analyzer products to over 500 businesses. Customers include the Chicago Board of Trade, Christiana Care, FedEx, Honda, Microsoft, NetStar Telecommunications, Seven Eleven, Siemens, SkyPilot Networks, and the University of Richmond.
Management team
Cognio’s management team consists of:- Tom McPherson (CEO)
- Neil Diener (CTO)
- Elizabeth Hess (CFO)
- Jeff White (Executive Vice President, Business Development)
- Gary Sugar (Founder and Vice President, Engineering)
- William Flanagan (Vice President, Marketing)
- Greg Barone (Vice President, Sales)