Can different wifi signals cross interfere with each other?

littlerock

I use my laptop and tablet in the kitchen using the wifi signal from my pc router upstairs. Just about to have new boiler installed in kitchen. This comes with a programmable digistat which is located in the hall. This controls temperature of heating from the boiler via a wifi signal.

Is there any possibility of any cross interference between the two sets of wifi signals when I am using pc in the kitchen?

enfield_freddy

it would be advantageous to install an app like wifi analizer https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer&hl=en_GB on a mobile/tablet and try to set the channels as far as is possible

thescouselander

If the pc and laptop are on the same wireless access point then there will be no problem. It's possible your digistat could be on the same frequency and this could cause interference - the only way to tell would be to read the manual and find out what frequencies it uses.

In all likelihood though your stat will probably be on 433 mhz which will not be a problem.

esuhl

littlerock wrote: »

This controls temperature of heating from the boiler via a wifi signal.

Does it actually use wifi, or is there just a wireless remote control?

Wifi (as used by your wireless network, for connecting PCs, tablets, phones, etc. to each other and the internet) is a particular kind of wireless connection.

If your boiler has a wireless remote (that doesn't connect to your "PC" network), then it will be using a different frequency, so shouldn't interfere with your wifi signal (although in some rare cases it's possible that it could).

Otherwise, if the boiler is connected via wifi, it also shouldn't cause a problem because all your devices would be on the same wifi network.

(In other words, I wouldn't worry about it.)

gjchester

littlerock wrote: »

I use my laptop and tablet in the kitchen using the wifi signal from my pc router upstairs. Just about to have new boiler installed in kitchen. This comes with a programmable digistat which is located in the hall. This controls temperature of heating from the boiler via a wifi signal.

You would need to be more specific.


If its something like NEST, HIVE or Tado it may well work on the wifi network, however most wireless controllers like this live on 433Mhz well away from the frequencies WiFi uses.

pendragon_arther

As a general rule with channeled radio communications, which includes wireless networking, it is advisable to leave at least one channel between used channels, where practical. e.g. When radio traffic on two-way radios makes it advisable to change channel you normally go up or down two at a time, rather than just using an adjacent channel. The reason for this is to reduce cross-talk, which results when less than perfect transmitters (read: All transmitters) effectively "spill over" into adjacent channels. Cross-talk effectively reduces you signal strength because the "foreign" signal need to be filtered out. Obviously units using the same channel will suffer worse because the unwanted signal is going to be even stronger.
Rather than listen to some uninformed suggestions to only use channels X, Y and Z, I suggest you determine just what channels are being used in your vicinity and try to use one that's as separated from them as possible. If that cannot be achieved just try and stay away from the strongest signals.
In your case, with nearby system using channels 1,4 and 6, I'd suggest heading over to 8 or 9. Avoid 11 as that appears to be the default for many domestic units, so is quite likely to become used sooner or later.

forgotmyname

If you want to see interference, Download a large file whilst monitoring the download speed in realtime.

Then pop your microwave on. Watch the download speed plummet.

Oblivion

forgotmyname wrote: »

If you want to see interference, Download a large file whilst monitoring the download speed in realtime.

Then pop your microwave on. Watch the download speed plummet.

Can you be more precise. Which particular frequency does Chicken Tikka operate on?

rmg1

Wouldn't that use the Abba protocol though???





I'll get my coat.

audigex

Several things to note

- It probably doesn't actually use real WiFi, just a similar technology in a different frequency band. Even if we assume it is WiFi, though...

- The boiler is likely able to auto-sense frequencies to choose the lowest interference channel. Your router probably also does this. They'll work it out for themselves

- Even if they don't, it's very easy to change the channel they use

- And that's even assuming they're on different networks. If they're on the same network, the following applies:

1) Your boiler will not be using much bandwidth at all. In the order of a few Kb/second at most. Even if you only have WiFi "G", you could have 10,000 of these boilers before you hit the theoretical limit of your Wireless network.

2) Your boiler only communicates over your WiFi network, not your internet - your WiFi is already probably much faster than your internet (unless you have 80Mbps fibre and WiFi "G", a very unlikely combination). If you're on 40Mbps internet and using 150Mbps WiFi N or faster, you have 150Mb "spare" WiFi even if you were maxing your internet connection

Overall, then, there's no realistic chance of you even noticing the boiler is on the same network. Even if they were on the same channel, the boiler is going to communicate such small chunks of data that there's no way it will cause any significant interference.

TL;DR In theory yes, in practice there's no chance in hell you'd know or care

bod1467

I have a Danfoss wireless thermostat/timer in my house, linked to the boiler in my garage. I have not noticed any interference from it versus my home wifi network.