What is RSSI value?

What is RSSI Value?

Today, let’s dive into the concept of RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), which plays a crucial role in network performance and signal quality. As we learned about signal quality in previous topics, you can think of RSSI as a measurement that tells you how strong the received signal is at your device, like your smartphone or any LTE device. It’s one of the key metrics used to understand the health of the network connection.

Understanding RSSI

RSSI is essentially a measure of the signal strength that your device receives from the network. It tells you how well your device is able to pick up the signals being sent by a cell tower or access point. It’s important to note that RSSI is a negative value, and the closer the number is to zero, the stronger the signal. For example, a value of -50 dBm represents a very strong signal, while a value of -100 dBm represents a weak signal.

How is RSSI Measured?

The RSSI value is measured in decibels milliwatts (dBm). This unit helps quantify the power level of the signal. Let me break it down for you:

• 0 dBm: This is the reference level, representing a signal with 1 milliwatt of power.
• -50 dBm to -60 dBm: This range indicates a very strong signal, providing excellent reception for calls and data.
• -70 dBm to -80 dBm: This range represents a moderate signal, where you might notice some performance drops like slower data speeds or occasional call drops.
• -90 dBm to -100 dBm: A weak signal, which could result in dropped calls or very slow internet performance.
• Below -100 dBm: Extremely weak signal. At this level, connectivity may be unstable or impossible.

Why is RSSI Important?

Now, you might be wondering why RSSI matters so much. In previous articles, we touched on network performance and how it can affect your experience. RSSI gives you a direct indication of how well your device can communicate with the network. If your RSSI is too low, you may experience poor network performance, including dropped calls, slow data speeds, or even complete loss of connectivity.

Think of RSSI as a reflection of how strong the “connection bridge” is between your device and the network. The stronger the RSSI, the better your chances of maintaining a stable and fast connection. For example, when you’re in a crowded place or far from the nearest cell tower, your RSSI may drop, and you might experience slower speeds or connectivity issues.

RSSI vs. RSRP

While we’re talking about signal strength, it’s also important to mention RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power), which is another crucial measurement in LTE. As we discussed in previous topics, RSRP focuses specifically on the reference signals sent by the LTE network. RSSI, on the other hand, measures the total received signal strength, including interference and noise. RSRP gives a more accurate indication of the actual usable signal strength for LTE communications, while RSSI represents the overall signal level, including unwanted signals.

RSSI in Real-World Applications

In real-world situations, you may use RSSI to troubleshoot network issues. For instance, if you notice slow data speeds or dropped calls, checking the RSSI value can help determine whether a poor signal is the root cause. If the RSSI is low, the solution might involve moving to a location with better signal coverage, or perhaps your device could be in a poor position relative to the network tower.