In order to choose the optimal direction for the 3G antenna, the standard utility that comes with the modem is often not enough.

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More convenient to use special applications to test the signal strength.

Here is some of them:

1) My Huawei Terminal
2) HLS (Huawei level signal)
3) Mobile Data Monitoring Application (MDMA)
4) WlanExprt UMTS

Before you start working with any of these programs, you need to close native program from the 3G modem, if it was running.

After you need to find out which COM port number our modem received, for this you need: in the START menu, select COMPUTER, click right key mouse, select PROPERTIES:

In the device manager, we look at the COM and LPT ports, we need a COM port, remember the port number.

AT this case port number 16:

This is where the preparation ends, we start looking for the best direction for the antenna, it is better to turn the antenna by 15 degrees, check the signal level and turn further.

And so the programs for measuring the 3G signal:

1) My Huawei Terminal:

Developer: Alexander S. Shokin

Settings this program does not require, starts exe file. After starting the program, in the upper window you need to specify the number of the COM port on which the modem was detected.

Click Connect, the program starts to display the network status and signal strength:

1) Signal level: -77dBm (the higher the better, for example, -66dBm will be more powerful than -77dBm).

The first -83 is the RSCP level of the pilot signal (the first signal the modem receives when connecting to the base station).

Second -5: this is Ec / Io - the ratio of the signal level to noise (the higher the indicator, the better). This indicator should not be neglected!

In addition to the signal level in this program, we can enter AT commands and set the required modem mode.

Conclusions:

pros this application in ease of installation and use, instant response to changes in the position of the antenna.

Minus: there is no way to view this data in a large window like, for example, MDMA or HLS.

2) HLS (Huawei level signal):

Install the program, run it, specify the COM port number, connect the modem.

Designations:

1) Blue bar at the top - signal level in percent

2) MCC, Mobile Country Code - the code of the country in which the BS is located. For Russia it is 250, Ukraine - 255, Belarus - 257

3) MNC, Mobile Network Code - code cellular network. For example, MTS has the code 01, MegaFon - 02, NSS - 03, SMARTS - 07, Beeline - 99

4) LAC, local area Code - local zone code. A local zone is a set of BSs that are served by one BSC - a controller base stations.

5) Cell ID, CID, CI - “cell identifier”. This is a parameter that is assigned by the operator to each sector of each BS, and serves to identify it.

6) level percentage - level as a percentage

8) Save id button - will help you find out the approximate direction to the base station, after clicking, save the connection data to an ini-file.

Together with HLS, the Open ID application is installed. With it, you can open a previously saved ini file by pressing the "OPEN ID" button. After that, press the "MAP" button - "Yandex maps" open, where you can find out the approximate location of the base station.

9) Full screen button - can display the signal level in dBm on the whole screen and pronounce the level by voice.

Conclusions:

As a disadvantage of this application, it is a very slow response to a change in the position of the antenna, there is no Ec / Io level of signal-to-noise ratio like My Huawei Terminal.

Of the benefits: ease of installation and use, the ability to view readings in a large window.

3) Mobile Data Monitoring Application (MDMA):

The program does not require installation, but before running it, it is better to do the following: Put the mdma.exe file in the root hard drive, then click on it with the right mouse button select:-> send to -> desktop (create a shortcut).

Next click right click click on the shortcut and select PROPERTIES. In the object field, you need to write the COM port /port: com* instead of an asterisk, the number of the COM port on which the modem was defined, it should, it will turn out, for example, like this
C:\mdma.exe /port:COM16

Now you can run the program:

Here you can see the same options as on previous program plus the signal-to-noise ratio, like on My Huawei Terminal.

By installing an additional Entropy plugin (Developer: http://entropiy.ru/3g), we can get the signal level in a large window with the possibility of voice notification.

Conclusion:

Of the advantages, it is fast - a response to a change in the position of the antenna and high information content.

4) WlanExpert UMTS:

To run this program, you will need to remove the SIM card from the modem. Run the program and select the COM port:

(Screenshot taken in Moscow)
AT running program we will see:

PSC - BS code in the presence area,

RSCP - signal level,

Ec/i0 - signal-to-noise ratio,

Freq MHz - frequency.

Rotate the antenna until you get the best result.

P.S. New in measuring the signal strength and determining the frequency using Android.

GOOD SIGNAL TO YOU! GOOD LUCK!

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When choosing cellular amplifiers and antennas on your own, one of the first questions arises aboutcellular signal strength received in your premises and about thecellular standard

Modern smartphones based on the most popular operating systems iOS(iPhone) and Android(Samsung, HTC) - help you answer them!

1. How to measure GSM signal

1.1 How to measure GSM signal on iPhone?

*3001#12345#*

Step 2.- numerical value -86 in the upper left corner shows the GSM signal level in dBm (decibel per milliwatt)

Icon E(EDGE) or G(GPRS) - indicates that your phone is in GSM networks, not in 3G network

Step 3. - press the menu GSM Cell Environment -> GSM Cell info -> Neighboring Cell -> select the 0th channel. Write down or take a screenshot of the number opposite ARFCN (this is the operating frequency)

Frequencies 1 to 124 GSM 900

Frequencies 512 to 885 is the frequency range of the standard GSM 1800

Frequencies from 974 to 1023 is the frequency range of the standard E-GSM 900

*3001#12345#* .

1.2 How to measure GSM signal on Samsung with OC Android?

Step 1. We fix the phone in the GSM network- go to the menu "Settings / Wireless networks / Mobile networks" and turn off 3G support by selecting "Only 2G networks"

*#0011#

If your phone samsung galaxy

Step 3 Checking the GSM signal level- numerical value -94 RxPwr shows the GSM signal level in dBm (decibel per milliwatt).

Step 4 Checking the GSM 900 or 1800 range- in top line the GSM standard is specified - in this case GSM1800. Opposite the T parameter, the number of the working GSM frequencies- in this case 549 frequency

Frequencies 1 to 124 is the frequency range of the standard GSM 900. Choose GSM900 repeaters and GSM900 antennas

Frequencies 512 to 885 is the frequency range of the standard GSM 1800. Choose GSM1800 repeaters and GSM1800 antennas

Frequencies from 974 to 1023 is the frequency range of the standard E-GSM 900. Choose E-GSM900 repeaters and E-GSM900 antennas

2. How to measure 3G signal?

2.1 How to measure 3G signal on iPhone?

Step 1. Opening the Hidden engineering menu iPhone - dial a phone number *3001#12345#*

Step 2 Checking the 3G signal strength- numerical value -95 the top left corner shows the 3G signal strength in dBm (decibel per milliwatt)

Icon 3G (UMTS) or H (HSDPA) - indicates that your phone is in a 3G network, not in a GSM network

Step 3. - click the menu UMTS Cell Environment -> Neighbor Cells -> UMTS Set -> select the 0th channel. Write down or take a screenshot of the number opposite Downlink Frequency (this is the number of the operating frequency)

Frequencies from 2937 to 3088 is the frequency range of the standard 3G-UMTS 900. Choose GSM900 repeaters and GSM900 antennas

Frequencies from 10562 to 10838 is the frequency range of the standard 3G-UMTS 2100

How to disable engineering menu mode on iPhone?

Re-dial the phone number *3001#12345#* .

Next, press your finger on the level numbers cellular signal in the left upper corner and switch to the standard display of the cellular signal level. Then we press home button and exit the engineering menu.

2.2 How to measure 3G signal on Samsung with OC Android?

Step 1. We fix the phone in the 3G network- go to the menu "Settings / Other networks / Mobile networks / Network mode" and enable 3G support by selecting "WCDMA only"

Step 2. Opening the hidden engineering android menu- dial a phone number *#0011#

If your phone samsung galaxy and you can't enter the menu - try the options: option 1 - *#32489# ; option 2 - *#*#7262626#*#* ; option 3 - *#*#4636#*#* .

Step 3 Checking the 3G signal strength- numerical value -86 The R parameter shows the level of the 3G signal in dBm (decibel per milliwatt).

Step 4 Checking the 3G 2100 or 900 range- Opposite the Rx CH parameter, the number of the 3G operating frequency will be indicated - in this case 10638 frequency, which indicates that it is a standard 3G-UMTS 2100

Frequencies from 2937 to 3088 is the frequency range of the standard 3G-UMTS 900. Choose GSM900 repeaters and GSM900 antennas

Frequencies from 10562 to 10838 is the frequency range of the standard 3G-UMTS 2100. Choose 3G 2100 repeaters and 3G 2100 antennas

Step 5 Checking the signal strength of 4G (LTE)

If the network mode was previously selected LTE and the phone automatically works in mode LTE

The phone will display the number of the frequency band it is operating on, in this case Band7 (2600MHz) Signal level -78dB

Band 3 (1800 MHz)

Band 7 (2600 MHz)

Band 20 (800 MHz)

Band 38 (2600 MHz)

LTE-BASIC Info- 4G signal (LTE);

Band:7- Number frequency range: 2.6 GHz.

RSRP: -77– Signal (dBm) from active BS (average over channels) ≥ -125 dBm.

RSRQ: -8– Signal quality (dB) from the active BS (the more, the better)

RSSI: -59 – General signal from active BS (dBm);

SINR: 19– signal/noise ≥0;

Tx_Pwr_Lvl: 9– Transmission signal level (the lower this value, the higher the signal).

NB_AMR- adaptive audio codec.

Do you dream of quickly and efficiently solving the problem with a weak GSM, 3G, 4G (LTE) signal?

Do you want to go further into technical descriptions, standards and other details? Do you need to solve the problem of poor cell signal reception? Then, the specialists of the company "Antenna96" with many years of experience in the field mobile communications quickly and efficiently help you solve this problem!

Many professionals ask: How to measure the antenna signal of a GSM modem if there is a computer, a com port with a connected GPRS modem and external antenna. Are there any programs to test the level, signal quality from the Base Station to your antenna. Yes there is. And this small free program: gsm_gmt allows you to take level measurements in your station's db. This will help you correctly and right place install an antenna on the same: payment terminal, monitoring system, emergency communication, and so on - especially when you have no idea - with what level all this economy will work for you. We bring to your attention: Software from the GTM company in the free version of GTMdemo.
GTM software was originally designed to measure the level of a useful signal in a cellular network in the GSM 900 and 1800 bands, according to the RD 45 standard. 301 - 2002 Ministry of Communications and Informatics of the Russian Federation for industrial GSM-modems. The data is displayed on your computer monitor as the results of these measurements with the equipment turned on online in real time. The program also supports GPRS modems, such as: Siemens, МС35c, МС39i, МС55, MC57, МС75 and M7X… (also with COM port emulation via USB). gsm_gtm allows you to read and display hidden ordinary users information transmitted by a GSM mobile radiotelephone cellular network (in busy mode (Idle)).
The GTM program will work under: WindowsXP, Vista, Ultimate. GTM supports communication interface with GSM modem only via serial interface RS-232 or USB (in emulation). To carry out measurements, the GSM modem must be connected to personal computer through standard interface(RS232 or USB). Run the program and select the number of the working COM port and the information exchange rate (Baud Rate), which is indicated in the operating instructions for the GSM modem (usually 9600 or 154200). The above parameters are set in the settings window after "clicking" on the icon located in the upper left corner of the program's working window. After the COM port parameters are set, its operation is activated. To do this, you need to set the sign in the "Online" window. If the parameters are set correctly, then after activation, the parameters of the available GSM modem (Manufactured, Model, Revision, IMEI) and the SIM card installed in the modem, IMEI will be displayed. To activate the mode of displaying network parameters, you must check the box "Monitor" so that you can observe the process of monitoring the network in real time.
The GSM modem and the program, in addition to measuring the signal level from the BS, allow you to read and display service information transmitted by the mobile network radiotelephone communications GSM standard, such as: Serving Cell Information (information from the serving cell) variables: RxLev or RSSI, MCC, MNC, LAC, Cell Id, BSIC, C1, Channel (BCCH / Channel Number), as well as measure the signal strength of neighboring cells (not more than six), read and display service information transmitted in neighbor cells in idle mode (Idle): Neighbors Cell Information (information from neighboring cells) variables: RxLev or RSSI, BSIC, Channel (BCCH/Channel Number)
The designation of the parameters measured by the GSM modem and displayed by the program are given below:

RxLev = Received signal level (dBm) or in relative units(count down from -113 dBm, Idle from serving cell and neighboring cells

MCC = Country Mobile Network Code (250-Russia)

MNC = Mobile network operator code (01, 02, 99, etc.)

LAC = Area Code (allows you to identify the switch affiliation)

Cell Id = Cell Identification Code (unique cell number in the network)

BSIC = Base Station Identification Code

C1,C2 = Cell reselection parameters by various criteria

Channel = Channel number BCCH (broadcast channel of the base station of the cellular network, which transmits the main service information and parameters for the operation of user equipment in the network)

PWR = Maximum permitted radiated power level of the user equipment in this cell (indicated in dBm or in relative units from 0 to 16).

Signal levels are measured with an absolute error of 1 dBm. When measuring signal levels, it is necessary to take into account the delay time - at least 5 seconds.
Additional information displayed by the gsm_gtw program:
Information about the GSM terminal (Manufactured - manufacturer, Model - model, Revision - version software, IMEI - serial equipment. Information about SIM card – an identification number IMEI.
Graph of the change in the signal level RxLev - BCCH of the channel from the serving cell in time (required for tuning directional antennas in space). The results of statistical processing of the results of measuring the signal strength RxLev BCCH channel from the serving cell. absolutely free!

Good luck measuring cellular!

Start of the study

First, I would like to ask the readers. When was the last time you bought a new smartphone, did you think about the quality of communication provided by your smartphone? Does this criterion somehow affect the choice of phone or version of Android when buying a new gadget? That's right - no. I didn’t look at it either, until I ran into a very interesting situation, which I’ll tell you about now.

So. We all know that there are a sufficient number of standards for both mobile and local networks. The most common local area network standard is the IEEE 802.11 standard (a, b, g, n, and others). Mobile networks - standard GSM-900 or GSM-1800 for Europe and Asia; GSM-850 and GSM-1900 for Africa and America. These standards use a measure of the received signal strength RSSI (received signal strength indicator). It is measured by the receiver on a logarithmic scale in decibels (dBm). However, most smartphones Android platform another system of indicator of the level of the received signal is used - ASU. Looking at the gradation ASU and familiar to all RSSI, we get the following correspondence:

0-1 ASU corresponds less than -110dBm RSSI, that is, it is even possible to turn off the signal.
2-3 ASUs corresponds to the segment -110 to -105 dBm RSSI, that is, very weak signal, so to speak "on the verge of shutdown."
4-5 ASU corresponds to the segment -105 to -95 dBm RSSI, that is, a weak signal, so to speak "border zone".
6-7 ASU corresponds to the segment -95 to -85 dBm RSSI, that is, confident communication on the street and transport.
Over 13 ASUs corresponds to normal communication in buildings, i.e. less than -75 dBm RSSI.

However, as it turned out, different smartphones determine the signal level in the same room in different ways. I'll try to prove it now.

Experiment and results

So. Armed with a telephone, I walked around the apartment and with the help of programs (GSM SIgnal Monitoring, Netmonitor, etc., I liked this program: www.kaibits-software.com/product_netwotksignaldonate.htm) measured the signal in different points apartments. (Many thanks to the software developers who immediately translated the received signal into the familiar RSSI). I show the results of my measurements in the following picture.

All received data results are in dBm. According to the data received, I tried to make a coverage diagram, with the designation of the measurement points.

Smartphone participating in the study: Alcatel onetouch idol 3, android version 5.0.

All received data results are measured in dBm.

Smartphone participating in the study: Nexus 5, version Android 6.0.

The signal level was checked using the same program.

conclusions

In a typical case of mobile signal propagation in a residential area (for example), many factors influence the signal propagation. For example: the earth's surface in the line of sight of antennas, urban development, moving objects (cars, construction cranes), the height of the receiver ( mobile phone), elevator shafts or socket wiring ... (How fickle, these signals!)

In the end, looking at the coverage diagram, I realized that yes: both the elevator shafts and the wiring of the outlets affected my signals. True, apart from this, there are no base stations anywhere, which also negatively affected the signal level.

During this experiment, it was proved that different smartphones with different versions Android perceives level differently transmitted signal under the same conditions. And although the number of experiments carried out with the Nexus 5 was less than with the Idol 3, the result obtained confirms the different levels of signal reception.

Auxiliary materials

1. www.kaibits-software.com/product_netwotksignaldonate.htm - Signal Info Pro network, a program that measured signal strength
2. Modern technologies wireless communication. I. Shakhnovich
3. Theory electrical communication. Zyuko A. G.
4. digital communication. Theoretical basis and practical use. Sklyar B.
5. Radio circuits and signals. Baskakov S. I.

When choosing cellular amplifiers and antennas on your own, one of the first questions arises about cellular signal strength received in your premises and about the cellular standard

Modern smartphones based on the most popular operating systems iOS(iPhone) and Android(Samsung, HTC) - help you answer them!

1. How to measure the GSM signal?

1.1 How to measure GSM signal on iPhone?

*3001#12345#*

Step 2. - numeric value -86 in the upper left corner shows the GSM signal level in dBm (decibel per milliwatt)

Icon E(EDGE) or G(GPRS) - indicates that your phone is in the GSM network, not in the 3G network

Step 3. - press the menu GSM Cell Environment -> GSM Cell info -> Neighboring Cell -> select the 0th channel. Write down or take a screenshot of the number opposite ARFCN (this is the operating frequency number)

Frequencies 1 to 124 GSM 900. Choose GSM900 repeaters and GSM900 antennas

Frequencies 512 to 885 is the frequency range of the standard GSM 1800. Choose GSM1800 repeaters and GSM1800 antennas

Frequencies from 974 to 1023 is the frequency range of the standard E-GSM 900. Choose E-GSM900 repeaters and E-GSM900 antennas

*3001#12345#* .

1.2 How to measure GSM signal on Android?

Step 1. We fix the phone in the GSM network- go to the "Settings / Wireless networks / Mobile networks" menu and disable 3G support by selecting "2G networks only"

*#0011#

If your phone samsung galaxy and you can't enter the menu - try the options: option 1 - *#32489# ; option 2 - *#*#7262626#*#* ; option 3 - *#*#4636#*#* .

Step 3 Checking the GSM signal level- numerical value -94 RxPwr shows the GSM signal level in dBm (decibel per milliwatt).

Step 4 Checking the GSM 900 or 1800 range- the top line indicates the GSM standard - in this case, GSM1800. Opposite the T parameter, the number of the GSM operating frequency will be indicated - in this case 549 frequency

Frequencies 1 to 124 is the frequency range of the standard GSM 900. Choose GSM900 repeaters and GSM900 antennas

Frequencies 512 to 885 is the frequency range of the standard GSM 1800. Choose GSM1800 repeaters and GSM1800 antennas

Frequencies from 974 to 1023 is the frequency range of the standard E-GSM 900. Choose E-GSM900 repeaters and E-GSM900 antennas

2. How to measure 3G signal?

2.1 How to measure 3G signal on iPhone?

Step 1. Opening the hidden engineering iPhone menu- dial a phone number *3001#12345#*

Step 2 Checking the 3G signal strength- numerical value -95 the top left corner shows the 3G signal strength in dBm (decibel per milliwatt)

Icon 3G (UMTS) or H (HSDPA) - indicates that your phone is in a 3G network, not in a GSM network

Step 3. - click the menu UMTS Cell Environment -> Neighbor Cells -> UMTS Set -> select the 0th channel. Write down or take a screenshot of the number opposite Downlink Frequency (this is the number of the operating frequency)

Frequencies from 2937 to 3088 is the frequency range of the standard 3G-UMTS 900. Choose GSM900 repeaters and GSM900 antennas

Frequencies from 10562 to 10838 is the frequency range of the standard 3G-UMTS 2100. Choose 3G 2100 repeaters and 3G 2100 antennas

How to disable engineering menu mode on iPhone?

Re-dial the phone number *3001#12345#* .

Next, press your finger on the numbers of the cellular signal strength in the upper left corner and switch to the standard display of the cellular signal strength. Then press the Home button and exit the engineering menu.

2.2 How to measure 3G signal on Android?

Step 1. We fix the phone in the 3G network- go to the menu "Settings / Other networks / Mobile networks / Network mode" and enable 3G support by selecting "WCDMA only"

Step 2. Open the hidden Android engineering menu - dial the phone number *#0011#

If your phonesamsung galaxyand you can't enter the menu - try the options: option 1 - *#32489# ; option 2 - *#*#7262626#*#* ; option 3 - *#*#4636#*#* .

Step 3 Checking the 3G signal strength- numerical value -86 The R parameter shows the level of the 3G signal in dBm (decibel per milliwatt).

Step 4 Checking the 3G 2100 or 900 range- Opposite the Rx CH parameter, the number of the 3G operating frequency will be indicated - in this case 10638 frequency, which indicates that it is a standard 3G-UMTS 2100

Frequencies from 2937 to 3088 is the frequency range of the standard 3G-UMTS 900. Choose GSM900 repeaters and GSM900 antennas

Frequencies from 10562 to 10838 is the frequency range of the standard 3G-UMTS 2100. Choose 3G 2100 repeaters and 3G 2100 antennas

How measure 4G LTE signal read our new article!

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