Re: Insteon - watch out for RF interference

[Ralph <nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave Houston wrote:
> Ralph <nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
>>The Insteon RF signalincs are subject to 900 MHz interference, at least
>
>>from continuous transmitting devices like the RCA Lyra RD900W music
>
>>transmitters. With the Lyra, I was able to switch to channel 2 and the
>>interference stopped, but I suspect that things like baby monitors may
>>also interfere with Insteon and you may not be able to change channels
>>with some.
>>
>>When the Lyra was transmitting on channel 1, the signalinc range was
>>less than 10 feet in the same room with the Lyra transmitter about 35
>>feet away. After switching channels, the signalinc works over 30 feet
>>away and through several walls and a floor.
>
>
> With more and more wireless devices like your Lyra being introduced, that's
> likely to be an ongoing problem.
>
> There is a way to avoid that kind of interference but it needs to be
> incorporated into the Insteon design. Philips double modulates their RF,
> using both the data envelope and 38kHz - the RF receiver output (bursts of
> 38kHz) is then fed to an Atmel U2538B chip that demodulates the 38kHz and
> outputs the data envelope.
Yes, there are lots of schemes for avoiding interference and there are
lots of 900MHz devices around.

I reported the problem to Smarthome, so it will be interesting to see if
they change their design. If not, I have serious questions about
Insteon's future if it relies on RF signalling.