Understanding Beam App Network Metrics
To View your Beam App Network Metrics
- Launch and log into the Beam App.
- Begin a Beam session by connecting to an accessible Beam.
- Press and hold the period key on your keyboard or hover your mouse cursor over the connection health icon.
- Additionally, you can display these metrics onto your Beam's screen using the keyboard shortcuts below:
- Windows OS: Press Ctrl+Shft+Alt+N
- Mac OS X: Press Command+Shift+Option+N
Understanding Network Metrics
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is defined as the capacity for data transfer of an electronic communications system. Graphics consume more bandwidth than text, and video consumes more than graphics. This is why bandwidth is an essential piece of Beam Presence Technology.
- - Incoming Bandwidth: The amount of data in Kilobits (Kbps) from the Beam to your Beam App.
- - Outgoing Bandwidth: The amount of data in Kilobits (Kbps) from the Beam App to the Beam.
Ping Time
Also known as latency, refers to the amount of time it takes for a packet of data to travel from the Beam App to the Beam.
- - Data includes video, audio, configuration information, and piloting details.
- - For real-time audio/video communication, the lower the latency, the better.
Packet Loss
Packet loss is the failure of one or more transmitted packets to arrive at their destination.
- - Incoming Packet Loss: Packets of data lost while traversing from the Beam to the Beam App.
- - Outgoing Packet Loss: Packets of data lost while traversing from the Beam App to the Beam.
Frame Rate
In computer video displays, the frame rate is the number of frames or images that are projected or displayed per second. (Measured in frames per second - fps)
- - Head Frame Rate: The frequency at which the Beam's head camera displays consecutive images (frames).
- - Navigation Frame Rate: The frequency at which the Beam's navigation camera displays consecutive images (frames).
- - Outgoing Frame Rate: The frequency at which the pilot's camera displays consecutive images also known as frames.
- Note: Beam is only capable of displaying up to 30 fps even if your camera can handle higher frame rates
Beam Interface(s)
Beam interface refers to the Beam WiFi radio(s) physically present within the system.
Our Standard Beam Presence unit has one WiFi radio; therefore, only one interface will appear in your network metrics window. Beam Enhanced and BeamPro have two WiFi radios. These models utilize one WiFi radio to maintain a connection while the second WiFi radio searches for and becomes the active interface when a better connection has been established.
- - The interface in dark blue represents the current WiFi radio in use.
- - The interface in gray represents the inactive WiFi radio.
Connection Type
There are two types of connections; point-to-point and relay. Beam uses an algorithm to determine the best path to take when a call is initiated.
- - Point-to-Point: Point-to-point is established if the Beam and the Beam App are on the same network and are visible to one another.
- - Beam Relay: If a point-to-point connection cannot be established, Beam utilizes the most logical relay link through our cloud infrastructure.
NAT Traversal
Beam utilizes STUN (Session Traversal Utilities for NAT) methods and protocols to establish real-time communication with the Beam App when traversing NAT.
Time
The current date and time of the Beam App pilot location.
For additional information, email our Customer Success Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.