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High Res Wifi Signal Mapping

CNLohr1 HN recommenders · 2017–2024
551K views · demo · evergreen · Uploaded 2015-02-14

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.

Cited as a cool, concrete visualization of Wi-Fi interference patterns.

Embedded systems & DIY electronicsNetworking & internet infrastructureData visualization & information design

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3 comments from Hacker News

@tqdm2017 · in “I amplified my home's Wi-Fi with aluminum foil”

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: [VIDEO]

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@TechBro86152023 · in “Your WiFi Can See You”

CNLohr made a similar project three years before that: [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...

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@andai2024 · in “CHART: The Hackable Amateur Radio Telescope”

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: [VIDEO]

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