MICROWAVE OVEN SIGNAL INTERFERENCE AND MITIGATION FOR WI-FI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS Tanim M. Taher, Matthew J. Misurac, Joseph L. LoCicero, Donald R. Ucci Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL 60616 Email:
[email protected],
[email protected] ABSTRACT magnetron tuned to approximately 2.45 GHz (the commercial MWO uses two magnetrons), and typically The MicroWave Oven (MWO) is a commonly available radiates across the entire Wi-Fi spectrum. This device appliance that does not transmit data, but still radiates emits electromagnetic Radio Frequency (RF) power that, signals in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific and when operating simultaneously and in proximity to Wi-Fi Medical (ISM) band. The MWO thus acts as an devices, can cause data loss [3] and even connection unintentional interferer for IEEE 802.11 Wireless Fidelity termination. For this reason, the common residential (Wi-Fi) communication signals. An analytic model of the MWO is the most critical application to investigate with MWO signal is developed and studied in this paper. Based the goal of interference mitigation through the use of on this model, an interference mitigation technique is cognitive radio. developed that incorporates cognitive radio paradigms allowing Wi-Fi devices to reliably transmit information In this paper, an improved analytical model for the MWO while a residential MWO is operating. This technique is signal is proposed, simulated, and emulated. The applied in the experimental case where Barker spread analytical model is key to fully understanding the Wi-Fi signals carry data in the presence of MWO interference process and this model is useful in wireless emissions.