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February 2016
44
T
his month’s EMC looks at
a new range of devices for
distributing satellite TV and
internet TV content around the
home by various means including
powerline technology. We also look
at a new Wi-Fi checker app from
Ofcom and further information on
interference sources that can affect
broadband internet connections
and amateur radio reception. The
final item is about RF interference
that may be produced from some
solar farms.
Sky Q Hub
Several Members have pointed out that
Sky have recently announced a new range
of devices for distributing satellite and
internet TV content via their next-generation
entertainment and Internet system called
Sky Q. This is expected to be available in the
UK from early 2016. There are also plans to
introduce new 4K (ultra high definition) TV
channels and video content later in 2016.
The Sky Q Hub is claimed to transform a
customer’s Sky Q boxes into Wi-Fi hotspots
with Sky Broadband. It has built in powerline
networking technology and it can use in-
house electrical wiring or Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and
5GHz) to communicate with Sky Q boxes.
It is said to choose the best connection
available. It also supports ADSL2+, ADSL,
VDSL2 and VDSL.
Members have asked what sort of
powerline networking technology is used
and whether it is MIMO, as mentioned in
the December 2015 EMC column. The
specification for the Sky Q Hub states that it
supports the Powerline AV1.1 standard but
it is only compatible with other Sky devices.
There is no mention of the HomePlug AV2
MIMO standard, which is one that would give
more cause for concern from an EMC point
of view. In any case, it may be inadvisable
to use powerline MIMO in a hub that can be
connected to an ADSL or VDSL line, due to
possible interference with the VDSL signals.
When these Sky Q devices become
available, the EMC Committee would be
interested to hear from any Members who
can comment on the EMC performance of
the powerline communications. We would
also be interested to hear from any Members
with first-hand experience of other powerline
devices that
do
use MIMO over powerline.
Ofcom Wi-Fi checker
On 1 December 2015, Ofcom launched a Wi-
Fi checker app for Android and iOS (Apple)
smart phones and tablets (see Websearch).
Running the app gives a message, “In-
home Wi-Fi checker. This test will show if
your in-home Wi-Fi is slowing down your
broadband”. I tried it and it gave a report,
“Your home wireless networking appears to
be working well. However there are a large
number of wireless networks sharing the
same channel as your wireless network.
You may experience problems if these
wireless networks are heavily used. Further
troubleshooting information from Ofcom.”
The further troubleshooting information
is also summarised on the Ofcom web
page given in Websearch. The first point
is, “Move your router away from electrical
devices: halogen lamps, electrical dimmer
switches, stereo or computer speakers, fairy
lights, TVs and monitors and AC power cords
EMC
Regulars
PHOTO 1
: A typical solar farm.