Comparison of Signal Strengths of 2G/3G/4G Services on a University Campus

Abstract

This study aims to determine the signal strengths of three cellular system operators for 2G, 3G and 4G services on the basis of drive test measurements that were conducted twice on a specific route on Ondokuz Mayis University (OMU) Kurupelit Campus. Nine same brand and model smartphones with “Android” operating system and “Netmonitor” application were used during the synchronized measurements. Measurement results demonstrate that 2G signal strengths are significantly higher than 3G/4G, and the received signal strength can change depending on the location, frequency, line of sight, and base stations’ output power. Considering all operators and both of the measurement results; the signal strengths vary from -50dBm to -103dBm for 2G, while from -51dBm to -113dBm, and from  -62dBm to -130dBm for 3G and 4G respectively. The average signal strengths of  both measurements for 2G, 3G and 4G vary between   -79.25dBm and -63.36, -87.22dBm and -74.51dBm, -105.88dBm and -88.36dBm. The second measurement results show that the quality of signal is lower than the minimum limit (<-100dBm) determined by Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) of Turkey for 2G at some measurement locations. Furthermore, for 3G lower than the limit at 4.2% of all measurement locations for Operator C while for 4G 70.9% for Operator A.  The use and comparison of these measurement results help operators to determine the parts that need enhancement, and take further actions. 

Keywords

• Cellular System,Signal Strength,Drive Test Measurement

References

1. [1] Rappaport, T. S., Wireless Communications Principles and Practice, Prentice Hall PTR ,1996
2. [2] Holma, H., Toskala, A., WCDMA for UMTS, John Wiley & Sons Ltd., England, 2001
3. [3] Molisch A. F., Wireless Communications, John Wiley&Sons, second edition, 2011.
4. [4] Sesia S., Toufik I., Baker M., LTE-the UMTS long term evolution: from theory to practice, John Wiley&Sons, second edition, 2014.
5. [5] Parsons J. D., The Mobile Radio Propagation, John Wiley & Sons Ltd. England, 1992.
6. [6] Savaş S., Topaloglu N., Ciylan B., Analysis of Mobile Communication Signal with Frequency Analysis Method, Gazi University Journal of Science, vol.25, no.2, pp.447-454, 2012.
7. [7] Longe O. M., Effect of Signal Strength on Handover in GSM Networks in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria, 3rd IEEE International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology, 24-26 Nov. 2011.
8. [8] Anderson I., Muller H., Exploring GSM Signal Strength Levels in Pervasive Environments, 20th International Conference on Advanced Information Networking and Applications, 18-20 Apr. 2006.

9. [9] Olmos P. M., Fuentes J. J. M., Esteve G., Analyzing Signal Strength versus Quality Levels in Cellular Systems: a case Study in GSM, IEEE 20th International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, 13-16 Sept. 2009.
10. [10] Jelena S., Marija V., Mladen K., Comparative Analysis of UMTS Signal Quality of Mobile Operators, 19th Telecommunications Forum (TELFOR), 22-24 Nov. 2011.
11. [11] Stanivuk V., Measurements of the GSM Signal Strength by Mobile Phone, 20th Telecommunications Forum (TELFOR), 20-22 Nov. 2012.
12. [12] Usman A. U., Okereke O. U., Omizegba E. E., Instantaneous GSM Signal Strength Variation with Weather and Environmental Factor, American Journal of Engineering Research, vol.4, no.3, pp.104-115, 2015
13. [13] Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) of Turkey, “Communique on Acquiring Quality of Service Criteria of GSM Mobile Telephony Services”, no.28267, 14 Apr. 2012.
14. [14] Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) of Turkey, “Communique on Acquiring Quality of Service Criteria of 3G Mobile Communication Services”, no.29269, 16 Feb. 2015.