Wireless devices interference

[KamikaZze]

Hello guys!

I have a question for controller devs: I have an issue with controller. It look like it's sometimes fighting for frequency with other wireless devices.

Here is the situation: I own a Sennheiser HDR 160 wireless headphones and sometimes then I playing games using controller, headphones suddenly losing connection to it's base unit from time to time. In the same time Steam shows a "Bad signal strenght" warning about controller and it begins to lag. Then a second or two later both headphones and controller reestablish connections and everything working fine for some time (until they again try to take same frequency I suppose). Sometimes it takes more time to regain connection, in this case both headphones and controller reconnect repeatedly three or four times. Also I have a WiFi router nearby (about two feets) working on a 6-th 2.4 Ghz channel and I think it can cause interference too, because then I don't use controller my headphones also losing connection sometimes (one a day maybe), but still this happens way less frequenlty than then I use both headphones and controller together (in this case they reconnecting each half an hour or so). So is there are some solution for this issue? Could I somehow switch controller's wireless channel to not overlap with headphones? Also I can change the channel on WiFi router but I don't know which channel to use so it's frequency will be as farther as possible from other devices. Sadly I can't change the headphones channel, because it's designed as fully automated device without any tuning options.

[cammelspit]

2.4Ghz is EXTREMELY cluttered even under the best of circumstances. Get those receivers as far apart as humanly possible. The SC has it's own extender that it comes with so use it. Get that router as FAR away from anything else wireless in your area as you possibly can. Large metal racks, like the one I have my TV and my PC on, are also a bad idea. If you have to, get an extension cable and a small USB hub for your devices, this is exactly what I do. I have a wireless KB, mouse, headset, Bluetooth for Wii remotes and PS4 controller, my internet is exclusively WiFi AC and my son uses his Tablet that has WiFi and Bluetooth. These all work at the same time without issues because I have KB/M with my Bluetooth on a hub and the SC on the complete opposite side of the rack. My WiFi antenna is on my stereo system and I have no problems at all because I have managed the distance between them all.

Make sure you are using a 2.0 port for the SC since 3.0 is known to have EMI problems. That router can be mounted on the wall to get it out of the way and give you better signal with less interference.

It is more about trial and error but it's not hard once you realize what the problem is.

[Cerebrum123]

You also might be able to change which frequency your headset is using. Not all can do this, but some can IIRC. Changing your router frequency can also help certain device interference.

[KamikaZze]

Thanks a lot for suggestions, guys. So here is what I did:

1) Moved WiFi router away and up to be more than 4 feets from nearest receiver. Also I've switched on automated band selection on router so it can select other band if some of devices interferring with transmission.
2) Moved headphones receiver closer to my monitor to have direct line of sight between receiver and headphones.
3) Using USB extension cable moved SC receiver away from both headphones receiver and WiFi router. It's now moved around a 3 feets away from headphones receiver and around 8 feets away from router. Also there is a thick wooden tabletop now between SC receiver and headphones receiver.

So I'm testing it now and so far so good. I'll comment here if it's helped or not.

P.S.

Governments should really think about extending civilian RF frequency range. WiFi, Bluetooth, various wireless devices - all in single 2.4-2.48 Ghz frequency range it's just ridiculous.

[RambleCan]

I would chime in just to say I've noticed that the placement of the dongle can be VERY important. I kept getting bad signal strength warning even when the dongle was within inches of the controller. I need to put it in the cradle so it was perpendicular to the ground (pointing straight up in the air) to get a proper signal.

[KamikaZze]

Wow, that is weird but thinking of tiny antenna it's highly probable. I'll check this out too.

[cammelspit]

Publicado originalmente por kamikazze-ru:

Thanks a lot for suggestions, guys. So here is what I did:

1) Moved WiFi router away and up to be more than 4 feets from nearest receiver. Also I've switched on automated band selection on router so it can select other band if some of devices interferring with transmission.
2) Moved headphones receiver closer to my monitor to have direct line of sight between receiver and headphones.
3) Using USB extension cable moved SC receiver away from both headphones receiver and WiFi router. It's now moved around a 3 feets away from headphones receiver and around 8 feets away from router. Also, there is a thick wooden tabletop now between SC receiver and headphones receiver.

So I'm testing it now and so far so good. I'll comment here if it's helped or not.

P.S.

Governments should really think about extending civilian RF frequency range. WiFi, Bluetooth, various wireless devices - all in single 2.4-2.48 GHz frequency range it's just ridiculous.

There are plenty of other bands available for consumer devices to use but they all have their drawbacks. Higher frequencies like 5Ghz, which is common for WiFi, get better speed but at much shorter ranges since they can't penetrate obstacles as well as a larger or lower frequency radio waves. They have WiFi AD stuff that uses something in the 60+ GHz range and it easily gets gigabits a second but only in line-of-sight and mostly in the same room. 9.3-9.5 Ghz is not uncommon for wireless handset phones, I have one. It's all about weighing the benefits of the 2.4Ghz range with all of its congestion VS some other range with its physical drawbacks.

Since the SC is essentially a Bluetooth device, they also use a common and cheaply available radio in it. That's another thing to consider, how easy the parts are to source and design into your device. Below I have linked to the FCCs official tables of RF frequency allocations if you are interested. As you might imagine, there isn't a whole lot in the ranges that are low enough to get good range and signal penetration and also high enough that there is enough information density to get reasonable speeds.

https://transition.fcc.gov/oet/spectrum/table/fcctable.pdf

[KamikaZze]

So I've tested this already for around 5 hours and it looks like problem was gone. Thanks again for suggestions, guys - it have helped.

[cammelspit]

Publicado originalmente por kamikazze-ru:

So I've tested this already for around 5 hours and it looks like problem was gone. Thanks again for suggestions, guys - it have helped.

Glad you got it sorted. Have fun!