Wireless location requirements for optimum performance
A number of factors can influence wireless performance. For example, physical obstacles and certain vessel structures and materials can all negatively impact wireless performance. Therefore, it’s important to check a product’s wireless performance at the desired installation location before drilling any mounting holes.
Vessel construction and materials
Location requirementsWirelessWherever possible, mount products on surfaces constructed from GRP (e.g. fiberglass resin, or foam), or on dry wooden bulkheads.
Conductive materials in the signal path can have a significant impact on wireless signal performance. Reflective surfaces such as metal surfaces, some types of glass and even mirrors can drastically affect performance or even block the wireless signal. Installation locations that are in close proximity to these materials should be avoided. Do NOT mount wireless products directly to conductive materials. This includes any mounting surface or enclosure/pod.
Examples of conductive materials include, but are not limited to:
carbon fibre, kevlar, or aramid (including sails made from these materials)
aluminium
steel
In installations with conductive materials, if available, mount the wireless product using an accessory pole mount or deck mounting kit. A clearance of at least 10 cm (3.9 in) is required to minimize the ground effect from conductive materials. This applies to transmitters as well as displays. If moving the product fixes the problem, consider cutting an antenna clearance hole behind the unit (once the product position and mounting have been finalized).
Wireless performance can also be degraded in locations where the wireless signal passes through a bulkhead containing power cables.
Crew members (especially when wet) can also be obstructive to wireless signals, if their bodies pass through the signal area between wireless sensor and any associated displays.
Checking and optimizing signal strength
Location requirementsWireless
It may be necessary to experiment with the location of your wireless products to achieve optimal wireless performance and a clear signal path.
The distance between wireless products should always be kept to a minimum. Do not exceed the maximum stated range of your wireless product (maximum range will vary for each device).
Wireless performance degrades over distance, so products farther away will receive less network bandwidth. Products installed close to their maximum wireless range may experience slow connection speeds, signal dropouts, or not being able to connect at all.
For best results, the wireless product should have a clear, direct line-of-sight to the product it will be connected to. Any physical obstructions can degrade or even block the wireless signal.
Some wireless products feature a signal strength indicator to assist in the process of determining the location with the best wireless performance. Choose the location with the highest and most consistently strong direct signal reading, during a 5 minute monitoring period. Try alternative locations for the transmitter to maximize the signal strength to the displays; e.g. try locations below a hatch or skylight or near to a window. A small change in product position can result in a significant change in the signal strength.
Some wireless products (e.g. a Hull Transmitter) will not transmit data unless a transducer is connected. Also consider that an NMEA or SeaTalk NG product (e.g. an interface) will not transmit data unless an appropriate data source is connected.
Interference and other equipment
Location requirementsWireless interference
Interference from other people’s wireless devices can cause interference with your products. You can use a third-party wireless analyzer tool / smartphone app to assess the best wireless channel to use (e.g. a channel not in use or one used by the least number of devices).
Wireless products should be installed at least 1 m (3 ft) away from:
Other wireless-enabled products
Transmitting products that send wireless signals in the same frequency range
Other electrical, electronic or electromagnetic equipment that may generate interference.
Software updates
Software updates
It's also important to ensure all your wireless products are running the latest software versions, as improvements are made over time to wireless performance.