Making the most of Wi-Fi: Optimisations for robust wireless live music performance

Mitchell, Thomas J.; Madgwick, Sebastian; Rankine, Simon; Hilton, Geoffrey; Freed, Adrian; Nix, Andrew

Abstract

Wireless technology is growing increasingly prevalent in the development of new interfaces for live music performance. However, with a number of different wireless technologies operating in the 2.4 GHz band, there is a high risk of interference and congestion, which has the potential to severely disrupt live performances. With its high transmission power, channel bandwidth and throughput, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) presents an opportunity for highly robust wireless communications. This paper presents our preliminary work optimising the components of a Wi-Fi system for live performance scenarios. We summarise the manufacture and testing of a prototype directional antenna that is designed to maximise sensitivity to a performer’s signal while suppressing interference from elsewhere. We also propose a set of recommended Wi-Fi configurations to reduce latency and increase throughput. Practical investigations utilising these arrangements demonstrate a single x-OSC device achieving a latency of

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: 14th International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression
• Start Date: Jun 30, 2014
• End Date: Jul 4, 2014
• Acceptance Date: Jun 1, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Jun 1, 2014
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 18, 2021
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 251-256
• Book Title: Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1178875
• Keywords: Wi-Fi, wireless, digital musical instruments, open sound control (OSC), antenna design, throughput, latency, live performance
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/815670
• Publisher URL: http://www.nime2014.org/technical-programme/
• Related Public URLs: http://www.nime2014.org
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME2014)