This article outlines the recommended guidelines for selecting Gateway channels for the Enlighted lighting system. Selecting Gateway channels is a critical phase during the deployment of an Enlighted lighting system, directly affecting the performance of Enlighted lighting controls, applications, and data integrity. Hence, use this guide to assist you when deploying the Enlighted Lighting system.
The Enlighted Gateway Channels 0 through 15 are the available channels to configure when deploying an Enlighted lighting system. The Gateway channels 0 through 15 correspond to the IEEE channels outlined in the table below.
Table 1: Enlighted Channels and Corresponding IEEE Channels
| Enlighted Gateway Channel | Corresponding IEEE 802.15.4 Channel |
| 0 | 11 |
| 1 | 12 |
| 2 | 13 |
| 3 | 14 |
|
4: Do Not Use
Note: Do not Use Channel 4 to commission devices as this is the default channel for uncommissioned sensors.
| 15 |
| 5 | 16 |
| 6 | 17 |
| 7 | 18 |
| 8 | 19 |
| 9 | 20 |
| 10 | 21 |
| 11 | 22 |
| 12 | 23 |
| 13 | 24 |
| 14 | 25 |
| 15 Do Not Use | 26 |
Channel Tiers (Using Enlighted Channel Numbering 0-15)
Table 2: Tiered Gateway channels from the most to least desired channels (can vary depending on site conditions).
| Tier | Enlighted Channels | Notes |
| Tier 1 | 14 | No direct overlap with Wi-Fi channels, and no direct overlap with Bluetooth channels. |
| Tier 2 | 9 | No direct overlap with Wi-Fi but has overlap with Bluetooth. |
| Tier 3 | 0, 2, 6, 8, 10, 12 | Potential to overlap with Wi-Fi, but no overlap with Bluetooth. |
| Tier 4 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 | Potential to overlap with Wi-Fi and with Bluetooth.
Note: Use Tier 4 channels before Tier 3 if Tier 3 has substantial Wi-Fi traffic. |
| DO NOT USE | 4, 15 |
Do not use Channel 4 and Channel 15.
Channel 4 is the default channel for un-commissioned sensors.
Channel 15 has a reduced range compared to other channels, hence do not use this channel for Gen 5 sensors.
|
Types of Interference
Visualization of IEEE 802.15.4 channel overlap with 802.11 (standard Wi-Fi) and BLE Channels
Figure 1: Visualization of IEEE 802.15.4 channel overlap with 802.11 (standard Wi-Fi) and BLE Channels
Wi-Fi Interference
The most common interference within Enlighted’s frequency range is Wi-Fi interference. Any channels that overlap with Wi-Fi channels with high traffic can cause data loss in the Enlighted system. If there is little or no traffic on those channels, they can be the best channels for gateway selection. If there is significant traffic, they can be some of the worst channels. These channels include IEEE 802.15.4 Channels: 11-14, 16-19, and 21-24 (see Table 1: Enlighted Channels and Corresponding IEEE Channels and Figure 1 for a visualization of the channel overlap). The only way to be sure that these channels are the best Wi-Fi channels for your gateways is to run a Wi-Fi Scan. Refer to the Recommended Scanners section for information about running Wi-Fi scans. Please note that some customer networks can and will change channels over time.
Bluetooth Interference
Bluetooth interference typically poses less of a threat since there is less Bluetooth utilization compared to Wi-Fi. Bluetooth devices are usually more agile and will find a cleaner channel when there is too much interference (suitable for Enlighted devices). However, if a Bluetooth channel does have a lot of traffic, it can be very detrimental to the data integrity and functionality of Enlighted devices.
Interference Symptoms
Common symptoms of data loss include:
- High error rates or packet loss on network diagnostic tests.
- Sensors are not displayed as solid green check marks on the Manage floor plan though they are powered on with a blinking green LED and should be communicating with each other.
- ERCs are inconsistent in controlling associated fixtures (some respond to ERC overrides, and some do not).
- Sensors are difficult to ping or cannot be pinged (mouse hover).
- Zonal occupancy status change messages are not reaching their destination from the sensor (Via API).
- Sensors do not respond to overrides via the GUI, not accept new profiles or any configuration changes.
- Sensors are not upgrading.
Recommendations and Guidelines
Here are some guidelines to optimize the functionality of the Enlighted Gateway:
- Avoid using Channels 4 and 15 as they may interfere with sensor communication.
- Assign gateways in a non-overlapping Channel pattern (e.g., Channel 2, 11, 7, and 1 in a checkerboard fashion) to minimize interference.
- Avoid assigning adjoining gateways sequentially to prevent interference between neighboring gateways, for example, Channel 1 to a gateway, then skip one channel and assign channel 3 to the next gateway, and so on. This will help minimize the interference between the gateways.
- Make sure that groups of sensors associated with different Gateways sharing the same channel are at least 200 ft apart from each other.
- Keep at least two floors of separation between vertically stacked Gateways. For instance, avoid having floors one and two share the same channel, but it is acceptable for floors one and three to share the same channel.
Scanner Recommendations
- Run a Wi-Fi scan or multiple scans in the floor/building where you plan to deploy the sensors. Some customers may not be set up to use all three channels of the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi shown in Figure 1. A scan will help identify the 2.4GHz channels that may be active and should be avoided. Also, check if additional 802.15.4 channels may be available.
- If WIFI channels are lightly used, the interference impact may be negligible, and the channels can still be used.
- Not all BLE channels may be actively used. Also, lightly used BLE channel interference may only have a negligible impact.
Several free and paid scanners are available for use, such as,
Netspot:
https://www.netspotapp.com/
Acrylic Wi-Fi Scanner:
https://www.acrylicwifi.com/en/downloads-free-license-wifi-wireless-network-software-tools/
FRITZ!App WLAN:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.avm.android.wlanapp&hl=en_US
