The problem occurs because 802.11b uses direct-sequence spread-spectrum
modulation.  This technique (in theory) distributes the signal's energy
over a wide bandwidth to reduce or eliminate adjacent channel
interference.  The reality is that DS spread 802.11b signals don't
usually interfere with each other--but they will interfere with the X-10
video repeater.  The amount of spreading is a function of the "spreading
code"; the longer the code the wider the spread.  Please see Virginia
Tech's "Wireless FAQ" on spread-spectrum:

   http://www.cwt.vt.edu/faq/default.htm#sspec

I have experimented with the same X-10/802.11b setup and found that even
using a spectrum analyzer to determine the frequency of the X-10 and
then setting the 802.11b gear as far away as possible did not resolve
the problem.  

It may be that the X-10 gear is simply not well-designed; perhaps a
better receiver front-end with better filtering would have helped.  Then
again it may be that the DS spreading code is not long enough to
distribute the signal well, and the interference is truly in-band and
non-rejectable.  

In theory, a better video sender system (based perhaps on digital
modulation such as DS spread or FSK) would not be affected.  I make no
claims that this is true, caveat emptor and all that.  Your mileage may
vary.

...dtw


-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Fred Reinthaler
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2002 11:47 AM
To: BAWUG
Subject: [BAWUG] X10 and 802.11


Hi,

I have an "entertainment anywhere" from X10 consisting of a audio/video
transmitter and receiver using the 2.4Ghz frequency band.  I am also
using
802.11b NICs for my home network.  The problem is that when using the
X10
product for video, every few seconds, interference will occur.  There
are
four different channels the X10 product can be set to (A,B,C or D) but i
have no idea to what 802.11 channel this corresponds to and i have tried
all
four but still am experiencing interference.

Now since i am using a specific channel for my wireless network, once
the
association is made and a connection is established on a certain
channel,
should the NIC still be trying to scan on other channels?  I get the
impression that's what XP might be doing so if that is the case, is
there a
way to change that behaviour?  I will have to do some sniffing and
analyze
some packets in order to confirm this but i thought someone that might
have
had the same issue could maybe give me a quick answer.

thanks,

fred

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