Electromagnetic shielding efficiency is a specification that appears on many anti-cheat device datasheets. A claim of 98% shielding efficiency sounds impressive, but understanding what it actually means in practical terms helps operators evaluate the real-world benefit.
Shielding efficiency measures the percentage of electromagnetic energy that the device blocks from passing through the shield. 98% efficiency means that 98% of the incoming signal energy is blocked, and 2% passes through. In decibel terms, 98% efficiency is approximately 17dB of shielding — a significant reduction but not complete elimination.
For reference: 90% efficiency (10dB) reduces the signal to one-tenth of its original power. 99% efficiency (20dB) reduces it to one-hundredth. A 98% efficient shield (17dB) reduces a cheating signal’s power by approximately 98%. For most consumer-grade cheating devices — which operate at low power levels — this reduction is enough to prevent the signal from reaching the machine board.
When comparing shielding efficiency claims, look for the test frequency and test conditions. Shielding performance varies by frequency — a device may be 98% efficient at 300 MHz but only 50% efficient at 2.4 GHz. The Gen2 device maintains consistent shielding efficiency across the full 300-2400 MHz range.
If your arcade is showing signs of understanding electromagnetic shielding specifications, send me a message with your machine model and a photo of your setup. I will do a quick remote check for free.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is 98% shielding efficiency enough to stop all cheating signals?
A: For consumer-grade cheating devices, yes. The residual 2% of signal that passes through is too weak to trigger a machine payout.
Q: Does shielding efficiency decrease over time?
A: No. The shield is a passive component with no moving parts. Its efficiency remains constant over the device’s lifetime.
Q: How is shielding efficiency tested?
A: Using a calibrated RF source and receiver placed on opposite sides of the shield. The power difference between the transmitted signal and the received signal is the shielding efficiency.
Q: Is higher shielding efficiency always better?
A: Higher efficiency provides better protection. However, 98% is sufficient for consumer-grade threats. Increasing to 99.9% would add significant cost for minimal real-world benefit.