User Manual

SNAP Stick User Guide 3
Troubleshooting
In the realm of wireless communications, many factors can affect reliable data communications. This section
lists a number of known factors and possible remedies.
If your question is not adequately answered here, visit the SNAP support forum on the Synapse Wireless
website where you can post a question and interact with other SNAP users. The SNAP Support forum can be
accessed at:
forums.synapse-wireless.com/forumdisplay.php?f=11
Signal Strength Problems
SNAP Sticks should communicate well when placed in near proximity of other SNAP nodes. However, they
may not communicate well when moved farther apart which may introduce interference with other devices or
obstacles such as metal walls. You can make several adjustments to remedy this situation:
 Try orienting the antenna of the other SNAP nodes into different positions. Since antennas work best
when they are in the same spacial plane, essentially parallel to one another without being directly
above or below each other, try to position the antennas of all your SNAP devices in the same
orientation.
 There could be other interference problems in your vicinity such as large metal objects, dense foliage,
and other objects that prevent signal transmission or attenuation (signal loss). Microwave ovens can
cause interference problems. Try moving the units physically to another usable location to see if
signal strength improves.
 Try changing the channel of each device. There are 16 separate channels (0 – 15) spread within the
2.4GHz frequency. Various other 2.4GHz devices, such as cordless phones and WiFi routers, may be
flooding one channel, but not another one.
 Refer to the Advanced Management section for reference to the Synapse Portal® software. This
software contains a Channel Analyzer tool that can help you determine which channel has the least
traffic interference.
Poor Performance
If you believe your SNAP stick is not performing adequately, this could be caused by a number of factors,
such as:
 Poor signal strength – try adjusting the antennas as described above.
 Premature sending of packets, holding on to packets for too long, or just dropped packets – try
optimizing the UART parameters for your particular application. Review the UART parameters
discussed in the SNAP Reference manual.