Bsc Thesis Proposal Approval Board
Approved by advisor
Name Signature Date
Getinat Garoma
Approved By Department Head
Name signature date
i
Executive summary
This project presents a comparative analysis of the Mobile signal strength measurement and
performance. The project aims to analysis and implement terminal based measurement system that
can measure signal strength performance of mobile networks. This paper focused on mobile
technologies, propagation models for signal strength and mobile signal analyzer with reference
signal (RS) measurements (i.e., RSRP,RSSI,RSRQ)at varied distances from a base station
transmitter to reach the project aim. Theother main core of in this project is specifying the path
loss in propagation models (i.e., Okuruma-hata propagation model, COST231 propagation model
and free space propagation model) with its parameters that affecting the accuracy of mobile signal
strength have been analyzed by MATLAB/R2015a.Also SINR and Correction factors are the
interesting one to measure the signal strength. Generally pass loss is very important step for
analyzing a mobile signal strength measurement system.
ii
Table of Contents
Executive summary ........................................................................................................................................ i
1.Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Back ground of study .......................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Statement of problem......................................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Objective of the study ......................................................................................................................... 3
1.3.1 General objective ......................................................................................................................... 3
1.3.2 Specific objective ......................................................................................................................... 3
1.4 Scope of the Project ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.5 Organization of study .......................................................................................................................... 4
2. Literature review ....................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 cellular network .................................................................................................................................. 5
2.2 Generation of network ....................................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Drive Test ............................................................................................................................................ 6
3. Methodology ............................................................................................................................................. 7
4. System design of study ............................................................................................................................. 8
4.1 System setup ....................................................................................................................................... 8
4.2 Simulation setup ................................................................................................................................. 9
5. Benefit of project ...................................................................................................................................... 9
5.1 beneficiary of the project.................................................................................................................... 9
6. Time frame of study ................................................................................................................................ 10
7. Reference ................................................................................................................................................ 11
iii
1. INTRODUCTION
Mobile networks are the fastest growing, most popular and least understood Internet systems. It’s the
most widely used commercial wireless network that provides voice and data services across the globe.
The primary operations in the telecommunication network industry include network site identification
and planning, signal strength measurements with coverage estimation for the expansion of system. In
the electrical engineers developed many models to analyze telecom site deployment and design for
cellular networks. But out of these models none of them provides a final solution because each
technique has some particular limitation in its application. The quality of the mobile service relies on
the signal strength available at the user’s location. The signal originates from a network of antennas
sited at strategic locations across the land scape. However, trying to work out the best network of
antennas over a large area is difficult and is dependent on numerous factors, which include land cover,
terrain undulations, building heights, composition and morphology. Remote Sensing technology and
Geographic Information System (GIS) can be incorporated into this procedure because most of the
factors in radio wave propagation are geographic features. This modeling enables field engineers
to conduct wave propagation studies, and identify the optimal tower location, height, and signal
strength. Therefore Remote sensing and GIS modeling has become a critical component in
developing our wireless networks around us and the better data models we are provide to our field
engineers, the more reliable our wireless services.
Operation of mobile networks is successful only when there is required and expected coverage and
capacity and quality of service across the network. Conventionally, operators of networks
continuously follow up their networks in the beginning during network planning and while it is
operational so that they can maintain a given required network performance. Optimization and
expansion are methods to enable operators to excel performance of their existing networks or
deploy new networks in order to deliver a given required/expected quality of their coverage and
capacity. These planning and optimization tasks to maintain or establish a given quality of service
needs understanding of existing network performance. Furthermore, understanding of end
users/customers practical experience of the network is very key for operators to make both
technology and business decisions. As a result, network performance measurement has played
significant role in optimizing and updating mobile networks and in assisting business decisions.
This role of network measurement has been the main motivation for this project work. And also in
1
our country, Ethiopia, there is lack of this kind of technology that measures the network
performance real-time is additional motivation for this work.
1.1 Back ground of study
Mobile communications is currently at its fastest growth period in history due to enabling
technologies which permit wide spread deployment. Historically, growth in the mobile
communications field has come slowly, and has been linked to technological advancements. The
ability to provide wireless communications to an entire population was first conceived when Bell
Laboratories developed the cellular concept in the 1960s and 1970s. The greatest growth in the
mobile communications is primarily due to development of highly reliable, miniature solid state
devices and the development of the cellular concept. The future growth of user-based mobile
communication systems will depend on the technology advances in the signal processing and
network operator.
The utilization of telecommunications and information technology by using the network has been
introduced in network performance measurement significantly by updating mobile networks.
Statistics show that there are now 6.78 billion mobile subscriptions globally; around 89.8% of the
subscriptions are under 3GPP mobile technology family (GSM/WCDMA/HSPA/LT) and the rest
goes to 3GPP2 (CDMA 1x/EVDO) and IEEE WiMAX technologies. In Ethiopia, mobile
penetration reaches 23.7 million subscribers in 2013 and there is on-going huge expansion works
to dramatically extend both voice and data capacity across the nation. The economic and
development role of mobile network is very significant; and it is more crucial in emerging markets
(such as Ethiopia) where wired infrastructures are not matured.
2
1.2 Statement of problem
The most common and conventional method used to measure the network performance is called drive
test with network measurement devices and drive systems across the network and collect data that can
be analyzed and used. This conventional network performance measurement method has also been
used in Ethiopia by Ethio Telecom to collect information about its network. The collected data has
been used in different optimization tasks and expansion projects. Drive test is characterized by its
requirement sophisticated and costly measurement equipment and systems together with car that carry
the system and move around across the network. In addition, it needs large amount of time to collect
enough data for appropriate conclusions highly skilled human powers to continuously operate the
measurement system. As a result, network operator spend significant amount money initially to own
efficient measurement system and then continuously to make it operational and usable. Therefore, an
alternative cost and time efficient measurement method is always interesting for all involved
stakeholders in mobile network systems, particularly mobile operators who are responsible to maintain
a quality network. In this project, we present an alternative analyzing mobile signal strength
measurement system that will address most challenges of the conventional drive test.
1.3 Objective of the study
1.3.1 General objective
To Analyzing signal strength in MATLAB application and implementing in a mobile
terminal that can measure signal strength performance of mobile networks.
1.3.2 Specific objective
To Collect and grasp knowledge and understanding on mobile technologies, signal strength
and propagations models.
To Measure the signal strength using the MATLAB software.
To Identify the received signal strength level by reference signal (RS) measurements (I,
e,RSRP ,RSSI,RSRQ).
3
1.4 Scope of the Project
The scope of this study is focused to measuring and analyzing the signal strength performance
with different BS antenna height and Propagation models parameter.
1.5 Organization of study
This proposal thesis study is organized in to six chapters. In the first chapter; introduction,
background of study, statements of the problems, objective, scope and organization of the study to
be achieved are discussed. In chapter two, presents “Literature review”, it includes Cellular
Network, Network Generations, and Drive Test. a review of related literature relevant to this
project work, which has been investigated by different researchers, is given. Methodology of the
study and conditions are discussed in chapter three. The discussion is started with material
properties, different assumption and conditions of the study. In chapter four results of the analysis
are summarized and discussions are made based on the outputs. In chapter five the benefits and
beneficiary of the study is included. Finally chapter six gives the conclusion achieved from this
study work and propose.
4
2. Literature review
2.1 cellular network Any cellular network consists of many base stations including the respective
antennas that serve the nearby cell phones respectively mobile phones. A cell phone shall be called
mobile station within this project, therefore the abbreviation MS is comfortable. For the GSM network
the base stations are called Base Transceiver Stations (BTS). Some BTS are controlled by a Base
Station Controller (BSC). Functions of a BSC; One BSC may control up to 40 BTS (kept in
database) and switch calls from MSC to correct BTS and conversely.
Figure 2.1 general system of a cellular network.
In this project we are going to cover off the major differences between the different 'generation'
networks and check out some of the technical aspects of the different technologies.
2.2 Generation of network
1G Digital Introduced in 1987 by Telecom (known today as Telstra), Australia received its first
cellular mobile phone network utilizing a 1G analog system. The analog network was responsible
for those bulky handheld 'bricks' that you might have had the displeasure of using.
The technology behind 1G was the AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System) network.
Permanently switched off at the end of 1999, AMPS was a voice-only network operating on the
800MHz band.
5
2G Digital Fast forward to 1993 Telecom, now known as Telstra, introduces the digital network.
The Introduction came about to overcome many of the issues with the AMPS network, with
network congestion and security being the most important two motivators. With this new
technology came many of the services we now take for granted text messaging, multimedia
messaging, internet access, etc., and also introduced us to the SIM card.
This fancy new digital network is called GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) and
its technological backbone of choice is TDMA (similar to FDMA). The radio frequency band
utilized by GSM is the 900MHz spectrum and later introduced on the 1800MHz band.
3G the Mobile Broadband Revolution Three Mobile in conjunction with Telstra brought the 3G
standard to life in 2005, servicing major metropolitan areas initially and over the following years
expanding coverage to 50% of the Australian population. Leased out to Optus/Vodafone/Virgin,
the 2100MHz combined with a 900MHz network forms the basis of all non-Telstra mobile
broadband services, servicing around 94% of Australian residences.
The 3G standard utilizes a new technology called Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
(UMTS) as its core network architecture. This network combines aspects of the 2G network with
some new technology and protocols to deliver a significantly faster data rate.
4G -LTE-Advanced
Initially available in major cities, airports and selected regional areas in October 2011, Telstra's
4G network offers significantly faster speeds, lower latency, and reduced network congestion. The
4G network is based on Long term evolution (LTE)-Advanced. Naturally this is a very simplified
explanation (for more info read up on OFDMA and SCFDMA) but for our purposes it will suffice.
2.3 Drive Test
Drive Test is a method of measuring and assessing the coverage, capacity and Quality of Service
(QOS) of a mobile radio network (or Drive tests are the main source for collecting measurement
data from cellular networks). Drive test is applied when there is networking coverage or not in a
given area. Drive test requires high cost mainly subjected by measurement equipment’s and cars,
large amount of time to collect enough data, and well trained man powers.
6
3. Methodology
Primary
Problem data
identification
Data analysis Secondary
data
Conceptual
generation
Design
specification
Software
Detail
modeling
design
MATLAB
Numerical
analysis
Analysis
techniques
Simulation
analysis
Result and
discussion
Figure 3 flow chart Mobile Signal Strength Measurement and Analysis
7
4. System design of study
4.1 System setup
Figure 4.1 Schematic diagram of measurement set
The MS and BTS continually measure the signal strength or signal quality of the serving cell by
using the principle of cellular system.
Figure 4.2 Design of Mobile-terminal based signal strength measurement system
8
4.2 Simulation setup
The developed application software is MATLAB/MATLAB Production Server /R2015a/win64
was used to analyzing the system(or models)as well as . It is important for the analyzing the signal
strength of the models as it is used to the parameters.
5. Benefit of project
Measure signal strength performance of mobile networks.
specify the path loss in propagation models (Okuruma-hata propagation model,
COST231 propagation model and free space propagation model)
Identification and planning, signal strength measurements with coverage estimation for
the expansion of system.
The economic and development role of mobile network.
Challenges of the conventional drive test.
5.1 beneficiary of the project
All of the world who user mobile.
Tele communications and information technology organization.
9
6. Time frame of study
no task march april may june
1.data collection
2.proccess and analysis of data collect
3.problem identification
4.problem solving and modification
5.conceptual design
6.detail design in matlab
7.checking design
8.final report
Table 1.time frame according to Ethiopian calendar
10
7. Reference
[1] D. Person, “The Mobile Radio Propagation Channel”, New York: Halsted Press, 1992
[2] P. Saveeda, et al, “Received Signal Strength (RSS) Calculation for GSM Cellular System at
BSNL Pondicherry using Modified HATA Model”, International Journal of Science,
Engineering and Technology Research (IJSETR), 2013, Vol. 2, Issue 1, ISSN: 2278 – 7798
[3] A. Medeisis, A.Kajackas (May 2000), On the Use of the Universal Okumura- Hata
Propagation Prediction Model in Rural Areas, IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference
Proceeding, Vol. 3, pp. 450-453. Aragon, Alejandro. (August 2000). MCU Programmable RF
Transmitter. Centre for Communication Systems Research, 1.3.
[4] Okumura, et al., “Field strength and its variability in UHF and VHF land mobile radio.
[5] M. Hata, “Empirical Formula for Propagation Loss in Land Mobile Radio Services”,
IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. VT 29 August 1980
[6] Ethiopian Telecommunication Association. “Quality of Service Standard”: ETA-S-QoS Issue
1, 2008.
[7] ETSI. Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2); “Mobile radio interface layer 3
specification”: (GSM 04.08), 2004.
[8]. Tapan K. Sarkar, Zhong Ji, Kyungjung Kim, Abdellatif Medour, and Magdalena Salazar
Palma, "A Survey of Various Propagation Models for Mobile Communication", IEEE
Antennas and Propagalion Magazine, Vol. 45, NO. 3, June 2003.
11
