Antenna Mod

[skylargray]

Like many OUYA owners, I bought the device to use strictly as an XBMC machine and maybe try out some emulators.
The XBMC version in the OUYA store at the time of this post works pretty well (the GUI is smooth enough and only crashes when I scroll through my library continuously)...and it will only get better over time.

BUT my primary problem is that streaming content (1080p, 720p, or even SD) over Wi-Fi from my NAS is not usable. XBMC has to stop and rebuffer every two minutes best-case. When I hard-wire via Ethernet, it works like a dream.

So maybe this is an antenna problem? I did see this thread, which inspired me to add an antenna to my OUYA.

Here is what I started with, from left to right:

• OUYA
• Hirose U.FL connector
• U.FL to RP-SMA cable
• Small antenna
• (shown further below) Large antenna from old D-Link router




I removed the SMD jumper and soldered a resistor leg in its place to bridge the gap between the signal pad of the connector and the signal input of the circuit.
The stock antenna is now out of circuit.
Here is the finished job:









I tested my Wi-Fi connection before and after the mod using Speedtest.net, Amped Wireless Wi-Fi Analytics, and video streaming via XBMC.

Surprisingly, I see no difference in wireless performance after the mod with either the large or small antenna!

I wonder if what I'm seeing is a result of tons of interference in my area? I live in an apartment with no less than 10 Wi-Fi networks visible on my iPhone for example.
Are there any antenna experts who can help explain these results? It seems strange that both of these antennas perform similarly to the stock chip antenna.

[Manaurys]

I wish you could solve the problem cause this mod is pretty neat and awesome

Shaoranmps

[BattleBorn]

I get poor streaming performance on an uncongested network, with my Ouya sitting right next to my wireless access point. I still need to scrounge up a short ethernet cable to see if that works any better.

XBMC has been unusable at times. Plex usually works better, but even that will glitch and repeat sections of content. More and more by the day it seems like.

[AyanaPaulson]

There is definitely something up with the circuitry out there. You might wanna check it out.

[InvaderGames]

I have my Router at 28ft and sometimes the signal gets lost.. if I get it closer (say 17-20ft, where my desktop is) the difference is very noticeable (stream in XBLA doesnt chop anymore).. It is definately something wrong with the OUYA's chip, or internals or whatever that handles WiFi.. if you look around most people have Wifi issues or some kind.

It would be awesome that this mod would have worked trough.. I was quite hopeful about it

[mmartino]

Too bad it didn't work. Would have been a nice solution. I know that I have several apps that test connectivity and speed on mine. Speed it average for my network and connectivity is stable yet I have a lot of issues with the discover store and game telling me that the internet isn't playing nice. I also noticed that while I have problems with speed and connectivity with Ouya store and games, side-loaded ones perform great! Makes me think its more a software issue on Ouya's side. Whatever they did to customize it for there system seems to have broke it.

[average_male]

You have to rotate that SMD resistor closest to your antenna 90° to the unused pad. There was a recent post here with more details. Like to see the results you get once you move that resistor.

[offroad]

Thinking a 5ghz wifi bridge to Ethernet is a better solution. The old 2.4ghz wifi has serious interference issues with too many other devices in a normal apartment.