Final answer:
To understand and control the user experience on a WLAN, a design engineer should perform a site survey, including tests for wireless signal strength, spectrum analysis, network capacity analysis, and latency and throughput.
Step-by-step explanation:
To design an effective wireless local area network (WLAN), a design engineer should perform a site survey to understand and control the expected user experience. During this site survey, several critical tests are conducted that assess various aspects of the network's performance and infrastructure. One important test is a wireless signal strength test, which involves measuring the signal strength and quality throughout the area the WLAN will serve. Additionally, a spectrum analysis should be carried out to identify any sources of interference that could affect the WLAN's performance. Other tests include a network capacity analysis, which predicts the ability of the network to support the expected number of users and devices, and a latency and throughput test, which measures the data transfer rates and response times that users might experience.