Characterization of an

Unintentional Wi-Fi Interference Device

The Residential Microwave Oven
Tanim M. Taher
Ayham Z. Al-Banna
Joseph L. LoCicero
Donald R. Ucci

Presented by
Tanim M. Taher

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Outline
Motivation
Experimental Analysis of Microwave Oven (MWO)
signal:
Frequency Shifting part
Transients
AM modulated Envelope of the signal
Model Developed
Simulation Results
Interference Mitigation
Conclusions
Ongoing and Future Work

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Motivation (1)

Why can I never connect to the internet

during lunch time everyday?

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Motivation (2)
ISM band is crowded.
MWOs were designed many years ago and they
radiate energy in the 2.4 GHz ISM band.
EM waves radiated by MWO devices interfere with
ISM devices unintentionally (no intelligence signal
in the MWO signal).
Understanding the interference signal helps
mitigation
Spectral signatures of MWO signals need to be
identified.

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 Experimental Analysis of MWO Signal (1)

The Residential MWO signal is

synchronized with the 60 Hz
AC line cycle, and it radiates in
the positive half cycle.

The MWO signal has the main

characteristics:
1. An AM-FM signal that is
radiated for about 5-6 ms.
2. Transient signals before and
after FM signal (~1ms).
On cycle of MWO

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 Experimental Analysis of MWO Signal (2)
Spectrogram* shows FM nature of MWO signal.
The frequency sweeping is roughly sinusoidal in nature.

AM-FM
Signal

*Figure Courtesy of Stevens Institute of Technology

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 Experimental Analysis of MWO Signal (3)
The AM-FM signal has a bandwidth of between 15-20 MHz (depends on MWO).

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12

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Time (ms)

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AM-FM
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Signal
2

0
2.4 2.41 2.42 2.43 2.44 2.45 2.46 2.47
Frequency (GHz)

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 Experimental Analysis of MWO Signal (4)
The MWO emits wideband Transient Signals before and after the FM signal. Transient
durations are around 1 ms each.

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Figure shows wideband
12 Transients
nature of transients.
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Time (ms)

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Observe the high
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transient energy
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concentrated in
2
frequencies near FM
signal. 0
2.4 2.41 2.42 2.43 2.44 2.45
Frequency (GHz)
2.46 2.47

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 Experimental Analysis of MWO Signal (5)
Zero Span Measurements show Transient Signal durations. Observe, they exist for only about 15% of
the time during the time period of 16.67 ms.

Zero-span measurements
at 2.46 GHz and 2.44
GHz over two 60 Hz
cycles.

Transients classified as
Turn-on and Turn-off

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 Experimental Analysis of MWO Signal (6)
The amplitude of the FM signal is not constant, it varies sinusoidaly!
The Zero-Span Measurement indicates this. So the FM signal is further AM modulated (AM-FM signal obtained).

Zero-span measurement at
2.455 GHz. Note the
changing amplitude in the
middle.

Transients are also

observable before and after
the AM-FM signal.

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 Experimental Analysis of MWO Signal (7)
Power Spectral Density of MWO Signal

Most power is concentrated

over the narrow frequency
range (15 MHz) swept by
AM-FM signal.

There is power scattered

over entire ISM band.

The wideband power is due

to transients.

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 Model for the MWO Signal (1)
A model for the time-domain MWO signal was
developed featuring its main characteristics.
Model Composition:
1. An FM signal with instantaneous frequency proportional to AC
line voltage.
2. The FM signal is further AM modulated forming an AM-FM
signal. The AM amplitude, again, is proportional to the 60 Hz
AC cycle.
3. Transient Signals with a wide bandwidth to span the entire ISM
band.
4. Transient Signals with a narrow bandwidth with power
concentrated in the AM-FM-swept frequency band.

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 Model for the MWO Signal (2)
Qualitative representation of the MWO signal model.

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 Model for the MWO Signal (3)
Mathematical Representation of model MWO signal.

v(t ) c(t nT )
n
, where T = 1/fac and fac = 60 Hz.

c(t ) A1 p (t ta ; b1 ) cos(2 f1t )

A2 p (t ta ; b2 ) cos(2 f 2 t )
s (t )
A1 p (t ta ; b1 ) cos(2 f1t )
A2 p (t ta ; b2 ) cos(2 f 2 t ) ,

p (t ; b) sinc (bt ) , t 0.5Tp ,

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 Model for the MWO Signal (4)
Mathematical Representation of model MWO signal
(contd.).

s (t ) A x(t ) cos 2 f ct sin(2 f act ) , t 0.5Ts ,

x (t ) cos(2 f ac t ).

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 Simulation Results (1)
The model developed was simulated. Simulated
Spectrograms and Power Spectral Density plots were
obtained and compared to the experimental plots.

The simulations were performed at frequencies much

lower than the ISM band for computational convenience.
The model is scalable to higher frequencies, and the
spectral signatures are preserved.

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 Simulation Results (2)

Power Spectral Densities

Simulated at 100 KHz carrier frequency Simulated at 1 MHz carrier frequency Experimental PSD
(parameters different from first one)

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 Simulation Results (3)

Spectrograms

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Time (ms)
8

0
2.4 2.41 2.42 2.43 2.44 2.45 2.46 2.47
Frequency (GHz)

Simulated at 100 KHz carrier frequency Simulated at 1 MHz carrier frequency Experimental Spectrogram
(parameters different from first one)

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 Interference Mitigation (1)
The transients of the MWO signal interfere with all Wi-Fi
channels, however, only for 15% of time. Since the transients
are synchronized to the 60 Hz line cycle, we can predict the
transient times and avoid interference by not transmitting at
those times.
The AM-FM signal is narrowband and interferes with only
some IEEE 802.11 channels (like channel 11). In such a case,
the Wi-Fi channel can be changed to another channel outside
the AM-FM signals frequency band (like channel 1).

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 Interference Mitigation (2)
Data transmission
using 802.11
channel 1 (shaded
areas are transient
locations)

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 Conclusions
MWO signal was thoroughly studied and
characterized.
A novel model for the MWO signal was developed.
Simulation and experimental results supported the
theoretical model.
Interference mitigation techniques were proposed.

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 Ongoing & Future Work
Investigating random variations in the MWO signal
signature
Refining the model to include the random aspects
of MWO signal behavior
Further research on the proposed interference
mitigation techniques

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Thank you!

Questions?

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