2.4 GHz Interference and Its Effect on EZ-VOTE Voting Systems

PROBLEM

You may notice that your vote collection is slower and that generally, you're having a difficult time using your EZ-VOTE system in certain areas where Wi-Fi and other equipment working on the 2.4GHz wireless spectrum is interfering with your voting system.

Effects of Interference

• A decrease in the wireless range between devices
• A decrease in data throughput (slow vote collection)
• Intermittent wireless connection (interrupted vote collection)

Sources of Interference

For the purposes of this article, we're only going to discuss the possible sources of interference with the Meridia EZ-VOTE systems and the possible technical and environmental remedies, not the solutions for your home/office Wi-Fi interference.

• Certain external electrical sources such as power lines, electrical railroad tracks, and power stations.
• Video senders (transmitters/receivers) that operate in the 2.4 GHz bandwidth.
• Wireless speakers that operate in the 2.4 GHz band.
• Certain external monitors and LCD displays: Certain displays may emit harmonic interference, especially in the 2.4GHz band between channels 11 and 14. This interference may be at its worst if you have a laptop computer with the lid closed and an external monitor connected to it.
• Any other wireless devices that operate in the 2.4 GHz bandwidth (microphones, cameras, other wireless devices).
  
  Note: Some devices may not specifically state that they operate in the 2.4 GHz. The product's documentation should indicate the bands the device uses to operate. These may be referred to as "Dual Band", "Wi-Fi", or "Wireless" devices.

SOLUTION

Technical Remedies

1. Change channels on your wireless network. Access your Wi-Fi router settings and change the channel manually.
2. If you can't change the router's channel, try changing your baser receiver channel to a different 2.4 GHz channel.
   1. You'll need our Toolkit app to do this, so please contact us at support@meridiaars.com.

Frequencies bands 1, 6, and 11 are commonly used in public, so, as shown in the figure, base channels 11, 12, 24, 36-40 will generally have less interference.

Environmental Remedies

1. Minimize the number of active Wi-Fi (and other wireless devices) you have operating in the area. Ask the venue owner to help you reduce the number of active wireless networks, if possible. It's only for the duration of the meeting - they can turn them back on when you're done with voting.
2. Move/Place the receiver closer to the audience and raise it above everyone's heads by installing it on a tripod, or mounting it on the wall. The EXT receivers can be mounted on the tripod much more easily because they have a screw thread ready for the standard microphone/light stand attachment.
   1. However, the 'stick' receiver can also be rigged onto a tripod if needed, using a shelf where it can stand using our 'golf ball' extension cord.
   2. In either case, you will need some longer USB cables (if 100ft is too much, there are shorter ones), or USB extensions, so that you can place the receiver anywhere it's convenient and closest to the audience.

While our systems are Radio Frequency-based (RF) and don't need to maintain a true line of sight like your Infra-Red (IR) TV remote does, having a clear, unobstructed 'view' of the keypads gives the receiver a better chance to receive and deliver the communications more reliably and faster.

Learn more about increasing the range of your base receiver here and here.

If possible, avoid wireless barriers, or change the placement of the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices for a clearer signal path. The device's location within building and construction materials used can affect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The table below shows common types of barrier material and their potential for interference.

Radio Frequency (RF) reflective and absorbing obstructions

Type of Barrier	Interference Potential
Wood	Low
Synthetic material	Low
Glass	Low
Water	Medium
Bricks	Medium
Marble	Medium
Plaster	High
Concrete	High
Bulletproof glass	High
Metal	Very high

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