551K views · Feb 14, 2015 · 6:40 · 1 HN recommender · 3 mentions · discussed 2017–2024
CNLohr maps Wi-Fi signal strength at high resolution by moving an ESP8266 on a CNC mill, then visualizes the 3D data in WebGL. The result shows interference patterns in space.
Why Hacker News points people here: Cited as a cool, concrete visualization of Wi-Fi interference patterns.
“the space is basically riddled with interference patterns”HN comment, 2017
“I know this stuff is dystopic, but I personally find it really cool.”
Earlier similar project that the commenter finds really cool
CNLohr made a similar project three years before that: this video I know this stuff is dystopic, but I personally find it really cool. That said, I also disable WiFi and prefer ethernet wherever possible...
“the space is basically riddled with interference patterns”
Shows high-resolution mapping of wifi interference patterns
I've also achieved substantial improvement with simple parabolic shaped, ~40 cm wide aluminum foil constructions, but there always seemed a bit luck involved and it needed some tweaking. Not sure whether the foil mainly acted as shielding that reduces the noise floor from other directions. I've read in other forums that fiddling with aluminum foil is mostly luck because additional reflective surfaces also introduce interferrence patterns unless they are precisely aligned. Even without aluminum foil it often helps to move either receiver or sender by fractions of 12.5 cm (the wavelength of 2.4 Ghz radiation) or of 6.0 cm (in case of 5 Ghz) because the space is basically riddled with interference patterns: this video
“I saw a post a while ago where someone made a map of their room by moving some sensor”
Room map made by moving a sensor with stepper motors
I saw a post a while ago where someone made a map of their room by moving some sensor (measured either noise level or wifi signal) around with stepper motors. Edit: this video
