Mobile Signal Strength Recommendations: Difference between revisions

This chapter is an overview of recommended signal strength levels for different mobile service modes.

==Signal Measurement==

Signal strength values are defined by a few different measurements which vary even more for different service modes. These measurements are as follows:

More on these measurements in separate service mode sections.

==2G (GSM)==

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==3G (WCDMA, TDSCDMA, CDMA, EVDO, CDMA-EVDO)==

For 3G service mode, there are three relevant measurements:

The RSSI standard values for 3G are basically the same as 2G

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==4G (LTE)==

For 4G service mode, there are four relevant measurements:

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'''RSRP = -102 dBm'''

'''RSRQ = -16 dB'''

In this case, the signal quality is actually very poor. This could be due to the device being some distance away from the LTE transmitter. It’s also possible that something is interfering with the signal, such as a building or other obstructions between the device and the tower.

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==How do I check the signal quality on a RUT device?==

===WebUI===

===Router LEDs===

You can also find out the router's signal strength by checking the Signal Strength LEDs on the front panel of your router. This will not provide you with a numeric value of signal strength. The LEDs indicate '''RSSI''' value in bar form (similar to a cell phone)

'''A picture of the front panel of a RUT950 router. Signal Strength LEDs are highlighted'''

To get the most detailed information about your signal quality values you can use '''''gsmctl''''' commands when logged in via '''CLI''' or '''SSH'''.

'''''gsmctl''''' commands concerning signal quality:

*'''''gsmctl -q''''' - returns the current '''RSSI''' value (available with all services modes)

*'''''gsmctl -W''''' - returns the current '''RSRP''' value (only with 4G)

====CLI====

CLI (Command Line Interface) allows you to enter and execute commands into the router's terminal. CLI can be found in the '''Services''' section ('''Services -> CLI'''). The default Username for logging into CLI is '''root''' and the password is your router's password (default: '''admin01'''). Once you've logged in you should be greeted by a window like this:

'''An example of a ''gsmctl'' command usage with CLI. In the example, the user is requesting the current RSRP value by issuing the ''gsmctl -W'' command'''

====SSH====

Secure Shell (SSH) is a cryptographic network protocol for operating network services securely over an unsecured network. If you are using a Linux type Operating System, login to a RUT router via SSH through the Terminal app. If you are using Windows, you will need to download an app to login via SSH, for example, '''PuTTY'''.

To login via SSH using PuTTY on a Windows OS, open the PuTTY app, where you will be required to enter your router's LAN IP address in the '''Host name (or IP address)''' field. Below is an example of how it looks

Once you've entered your router's LAN IP address, click the '''Open''' button after which you will be greeted with a similar window to CLI, where you will prompted to enter a user name (default: '''root''') and password (default: '''admin01'''). After this you can start using '''''gsmctl''''' commands in an identical manner to CLI.

'''An example of a ''gsmctl'' command usage with SSH. In the example, the user is requesting the current SINR value by issuing the ''gsmctl -Z'' command'''