3. Interference and cooperation

3.1 External interference

The bands used by IEEE 802.15.4 are unlicensed bands. A number of standards are planning to use them. While current usage still limits interference between different systems, things are likely to change drastically in the years to come. Reasoned use of the various technologies is necessary, as (unlike cellular networks) no resource planning or specific band allocation is guaranteed. The most critical band is certainly the 2.4 GHz band. In addition to IEEE 802.15.4, this is where you'll find Bluetooth, WIFI and... microwave ovens! All these devices have a significant effect on the quality of transmissions in an 802.15.4 network.

Of these three "competitors", Bluetooth is probably the least problematic. The frequency hopping method it...