2.4Ghz Interference

[EagleEyeDavid]

Hello, we use a wireless transmitter to send a signal to a wireless receiver. Football stadium setting with crowds/ spectators. Some stadiums have cell tower antennas in the stadium mounted to the stadium lights. The wireless units are 2.4Ghz frequency with a 10dBi omnidirectional antenna connected to each unit. Signal strength and reliability is rock solid before events take place (set up process). Once the spectators arrive, signal reliability is 50%. The wireless receiver is generally located on a table next to the computer that could have a wireless mouse (2.4Ghz), wireless keyboard (2.4Ghz), Wireless printer (2.4Ghz)... is it logical to think the spectators in the stands connecting to the stadiums (Guest WiFi) and the other items near the wireless receiver using the 2.4Ghz frequency could be causing significant interference and reliability is reduced?

 

[prcguy]

If it’s a critical link then don’t use 2.4 or 5.8GHz period. Many years ago I had the opportunity to run the “catcher cam” for ESPN, a wireless camera on the baseball catchers face mask and it was on 2.4GHz. This was a licensed system and part of my job was to search and find unlicensed users at the stadium “Angles Stadium“ and convince them to shut down. Our link had to run from the field to about halfway up the seating area and it was very susceptible to interference. During pregame setup we would usually find a few other signals in the band but we were able to change channels to mitigate interference.

This was a good 20yrs ago and WiFi was not the mess it is now, so I would never try that today. BTW the catcher for that game was Bengie Molina and it was the game before the World Series Angles vs Yankees. The game was made more famous by a wild pitch that hit the catchers face mask and took out the camera, it was perfect where they played it back slo-mo over and over again and when the ball hit the mask video went to noise. I have other stories about that game where I had to meet Mr. Molina for the first time and it was when he stepped out of the shower with no towel yet. That was kind of an awkward conversation. Or when I had to quickly replace the camera and Mr. Molina tossed me his face mask and halfway through the swap out I find the mask is completely covered in chew spew and now it’s all over my pants.

 

[wtp]

the wife and her brother decided to get their did a computer, no problem.
got a laptop, of course wireless, then a wireless mouse and keyboard, no problem.
the router was under the desk the rest right on top of it, no problem
then he wanted a printer, wireless of course, no problem.
it was on a table that touched the desk, no problem.
then they decided to get a house phone, wireless of course. no problem.
then they moved the base to the other side of the printer...problem.
i brought over a printer USB cord, thigs got a little better.
i then moved the phone base to the kitchen, ahh, peace in our time,
when you put all of that within 3 feet of each other, what did they expect.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Hello, we use a wireless transmitter to send a signal to a wireless receiver. Football stadium setting with crowds/ spectators. Some stadiums have cell tower antennas in the stadium mounted to the stadium lights. The wireless units are 2.4Ghz frequency with a 10dBi omnidirectional antenna connected to each unit. Signal strength and reliability is rock solid before events take place (set up process). Once the spectators arrive, signal reliability is 50%. The wireless receiver is generally located on a table next to the computer that could have a wireless mouse (2.4Ghz), wireless keyboard (2.4Ghz), Wireless printer (2.4Ghz)... is it logical to think the spectators in the stands connecting to the stadiums (Guest WiFi) and the other items near the wireless receiver using the 2.4Ghz frequency could be causing significant interference and reliability is reduced?

The 2.4 GHz band really does not have more than a few RF channels and relies on spread spectrum to mitigate interference. However each channel and SS code used by each connection contributes to the noise floor to the extent that overall reliability for everyone suffers. Think of a bar where one person is having a quiet conversation with one other and then shortly thereafter a dozen people arrive and have their own conversations. Pretty soon everyone is shouting.

 

[wtp]

dad not did !