Cell breathing, quantitively speaking

[ajax]

I keep hearing about cell breathing and how it can cause one to lose connectivity. Being sceptical, I would like to know exactly how much a 3G signal can drop in strength compared to the number of users, or is it not possible to say?

I've been looking at my signal with celltrack on my 6680 and to be honest, I have never really seen the signal lower than what I am used to. It usually hovers around -87 dBm. Possibly 3G isn't that big in Stellenbosch yet, or is it that the signal strength does not vary that much compared to the number of users?

 

[vodacom3g]

I keep hearing about cell breathing and how it can cause one to lose connectivity. Being sceptical, I would like to know exactly how much a 3G signal can drop in strength compared to the number of users, or is it not possible to say?

I've been looking at my signal with celltrack on my 6680 and to be honest, I have never really seen the signal lower than what I am used to. It usually hovers around -87 dBm. Possibly 3G isn't that big in Stellenbosch yet, or is it that the signal strength does not vary that much compared to the number of users?

I'll see what I can find in terms of white papers. I can also ask the engineering guys but after two sentences from these guys my head starts hurting....

I suspect we're not approaching the number of users that will generate the amount of interference required (to show 'breathing') in most of the cells and that's why you're not seeing the effect.

I'm on the very edge of the cell that serves me (Panorama) and I often work with 1 or less(!) bars and stay connected for days on end and getting max throughput. So if there was cell breathing, I'd be the first to be kicked off.

And as this area (Plattekloof) has been declared ADSL-free by our friendly Telco, I'd assume a large number of 3G users.

Obviously in highly dense cells it'll be a different matter.

But it's a good question. Will see what I can dig up. Have you tried to Google for the info?

 

[ajax]

Have you tried to Google for the info?

Ja, haven't found anything in numbers yet. I've read thru a couple of pdf's and a thesis or two, but all I can find are equations.

A lot of users seem to be worried about cell breathing, but it is my (untested) opinion that it is mostly not relevant at the moment. What I would be most interested in to know is how many users are required to give you a signal drop of 1 bar (that is 5dB AFAIK). Judging from what I've read, the answer may be a bit complicated, but maybe your radio guru's have done a few tests?

If not, I would be keen to test, v3g, can't you organise me say 50 laptops with 3G datacards?