What is sensor signal strength?
Sensor signal strength impacts how well your sensor communicates with the gateway. A strong signal ensures accurate data collection and conserves battery life. Weak signals can lead to missed readings and faster battery drain since the sensor uses more power trying to stay connected.
What can cause poor signal strength?
Poor signal strength is usually caused by:
Obstructions: Thick walls, metal surfaces, or dense materials that block or absorb wireless signals.
Interference: Other devices or materials that disrupt radio frequency communication (e.g., large motors, Wi-Fi routers, microwaves).
Network issues: Widespread network problems can temporarily disrupt sensor connectivity, typically resolving automatically once the network stabilizes.
Gateway disconnection: Sensors rely on the gateway to communicate, and if the gateway goes offline due to power outages or internet interruptions, sensors may appear disconnected.
How do I check a sensor’s signal strength?
Jolt mobile app: Open the sensors page, select a sensor, and check the most recent signal strength reading.
Jolt web app: Go to sensors > dashboard, choose a location and sensor, and filter by signal strength.
How can I improve sensor signal strength?
When performing this test, please make sure you can monitor connectivity over a 24-hour period. Observing trends during this time will help assess if the issue has been resolved.
Use the Jolt web app to monitor sensor connectivity, and make sure to check the sensor status regularly.
Reduce interference by testing the range.
Move the sensor within 10–15 feet of the gateway.
Avoid any physical barriers (thick walls, metal surfaces, etc.).
If the signal remains weak, contact Jolt Support.
Adjust sensor placement.
Make sure the sensor is approximately 6–7 feet from the gateway as this may enhance signal detection.
Avoid excessive proximity or distance for better results.
Gently shake the sensor to wake it up and reestablish connection.
Optimize gateway placement.
Mount the gateway as high as possible and away from obstructions like metal shelves or thick walls.
If needed, use a longer Ethernet cable to move the gateway closer to low-signal areas (e.g., walk-in freezers).
Adjust the antenna.
Laird gateways: Keep the long LoRa antenna vertical (facing straight up and down).
Multitech gateways: If wall-mounted, angle antennas outward. For other types of antennas, keep them vertical regardless of mount position.
Use sensor probes strategically
Reposition sensors: If your sensor has a probe, place the main sensor body outside high-interference zones (like freezers) and run the probe inside.
Alternative placement: Try placing the sensor in different positions inside the cooler to determine an optimal signal path.
Swap sensors: Replace the affected sensor with one from another location to evaluate if environmental factors impact connectivity.
Consider additional hardware
Install extra gateways: If signal issues persist in large or complex locations, adding a second gateway may help. Try the above fixes first to avoid unnecessary hardware.
Environmental inspections: Review the area around the sensor and gateway for recent environmental changes, such as added metal equipment that might interfere with signal strength.
Power cycle the gateway: Unplug the gateway’s power cables, wait for about 20 seconds, then plug them back in. Allow 15–20 minutes for the gateway to resync.
What if the signal is still weak?
If you’ve tried all of the steps above and are still seeing poor signal strength, reach out to Jolt Support. Our team can help diagnose the issue and recommend next steps.