How to check Signal Strength

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vodacom3g

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(A converged post for the FAQ from everyones contributions. Feel free to submit corrections.)

You can get a signal strength reading by issuing an AT+CSQ to the modem. You will get a number on a scale of 0 to 31 with 0 being worst (< -113db) and 31 (> -51db) being best.

To calculate the actual receive level, issue the AT+CSQ command to the card. Take the number before the ,99 and multiply it by 2. Subtract that figure from -113dBm and that will give you your signal reading in dBm.

For example, a value of 13 results in -113dBm - (13x2) = -87dBm

and 17 in -113dBm - (17x2) = -79dBm.

For those who need to START -> RUN -> CALC to figure this out, here's the easy way...

0 < -113 dBm
1 -111 dBm
2 -109 dBm
3 -107 dBm
4 -105 dBm
5 -103 dBm
6 -101 dBm
7 -99 dBm
8 -97 dBm
9 -95 dBm
10 -93 dBm
11 -91 dBm
12 -89 dBm
13 -87 dBm
14 -85 dBm
15 -83 dBm
16 -81 dBm
17 -79 dBm
18 -77 dBm
19 -75 dBm
20 -73 dBm
21 -71 dBm
22 -69 dBm
23 -67 dBm
24 -65 dBm
25 -63 dBm
26 -61 dBm
27 -59 dBm
28 -57 dBm
29 -55 dBm
30 -53 dBm
31 > -51 dBm

Marginal - Levels of -95dBm or lower. At these sort of levels, it is very likely that you may suffer low throughput and disconnects due to cell loading/breathing even with an outdoor antenna.

Workable under most conditions - Levels of -85dBm to -95dBm. Probably worth considering an outdoor gain type antenna. Could suffer poor throughput and disconnects due to cell loading/breathing.

Good - Levels between -75dBm and -85dBm - normally no problem holding a connection with this sort of level (even with cell breathing) without the use of an external antenna.

Excellent - levels above -75dBm. Should not be affected by cell breathing/loading and should not require an external antenna.
 
vodacom3g said:
You can get a signal strength reading by issuing an AT+CSQ to the modem.
Click to expand...

If you do not know how to issue the AT+CSQ command, here is more info on how to go about it.

1. Open Hyperterminal (normally found under "Accessories" and then "Communications" in HexP.
2. If you have not used Hyperterminal before and not configured "Dial-up Networking" it will pop up the dialling properties box where you can fill in the dialling code. After that it will open Hyperteminal and launch the New Connection Wizard.
3. On the first Wizard screen, type anything in the "Name:" block and click on OK
4. On the next screen, choose the datacard modem in the "Connect using" pull-down list and click on OK
5. Click cancel on the next screen and you should come up with a blank Hyperteminal window
6. Type AT and press "Enter" and modem should reply with "OK"
7. Fire away with the AT+CSQ command.

Follow directions in V3g's post to determine signal level.
 
I'd only add to disconnect from your service provider and close your card software before using Hyperterminal.

Plus it should be remembered that you are measuring received signal level. You should aim to get it better but do not aim for perfection as received efficiency does not necessarily equate to radiated (transmitted) efficiency, i.e. the received signal from your modem at the cell itself.
 
JimM said:
I'd only add to disconnect from your service provider and close your card software before using Hyperterminal.
Click to expand...

Quite correct JimM, unless you are using one of the Novatels - they need the software to initialise the card. But even with them, you must be disconnected before going through the AT+CSQ sequence mentioned before.
 
Remember to use a 3G or gprs ONLY profile so you can keep the card on the signal you're trying to test.

No good trying to get 3G results and the prefered profile drops you to GPRS...
 
Last edited:
Yes,There would be.Ive used your older version many times and would definitly use a new version for the hsdapa cards/..
 
vodacom3g said:
(A converged post for the FAQ from everyones contributions. Feel free to submit corrections.)

You can get a signal strength reading by issuing an AT+CSQ to the modem. You will get a number on a scale of 0 to 31 with 0 being worst (< -113db) and 31 (> -51db) being best.

To calculate the actual receive level, issue the AT+CSQ command to the card. Take the number before the ,99 and multiply it by 2. Subtract that figure from -113dBm and that will give you your signal reading in dBm.

For example, a value of 13 results in -113dBm - (13x2) = -87dBm

and 17 in -113dBm - (17x2) = -79dBm.

For those who need to START -> RUN -> CALC to figure this out, here's the easy way...

0 < -113 dBm
1 -111 dBm
2 -109 dBm
3 -107 dBm
4 -105 dBm
5 -103 dBm
6 -101 dBm
7 -99 dBm
8 -97 dBm
9 -95 dBm
10 -93 dBm
11 -91 dBm
12 -89 dBm
13 -87 dBm
14 -85 dBm
15 -83 dBm
16 -81 dBm
17 -79 dBm
18 -77 dBm
19 -75 dBm
20 -73 dBm
21 -71 dBm
22 -69 dBm
23 -67 dBm
24 -65 dBm
25 -63 dBm
26 -61 dBm
27 -59 dBm
28 -57 dBm
29 -55 dBm
30 -53 dBm
31 > -51 dBm

Marginal - Levels of -95dBm or lower. At these sort of levels, it is very likely that you may suffer low throughput and disconnects due to cell loading/breathing even with an outdoor antenna.

Workable under most conditions - Levels of -85dBm to -95dBm. Probably worth considering an outdoor gain type antenna. Could suffer poor throughput and disconnects due to cell loading/breathing.

Good - Levels between -75dBm and -85dBm - normally no problem holding a connection with this sort of level (even with cell breathing) without the use of an external antenna.

Excellent - levels above -75dBm. Should not be affected by cell breathing/loading and should not require an external antenna.
Click to expand...

OLD THREAD ALERT

Sorry I am reviving a very old thread.

I recently moved to a farm and I am using a 3G connection I am getting around 2meg down which is slow but liveable so my question is around the signal strength and the speed I can expect on 3G.

The signal strength shows as -73 to -71 dBm I haven't moved it around too much so I was wondering if that is OK would I gain much by getting an external aerial ?
 
herbertk said:
OLD THREAD ALERT

Sorry I am reviving a very old thread.

I recently moved to a farm and I am using a 3G connection I am getting around 2meg down which is slow but liveable so my question is around the signal strength and the speed I can expect on 3G.

The signal strength shows as -73 to -71 dBm I haven't moved it around too much so I was wondering if that is OK would I gain much by getting an external aerial ?
Click to expand...
Hoping my reply is of value to your situation. Your signal looks good without an external antenna.
As far as download/upload speeds concerned the following should also be considered.
Your signal is transmitted from a BTS (Tower) serving your area as part of its footprint.
The BTS is connected to a RAN (Radio Access Network) via links.
The Links (Provisioning) can consist of Microwave Radio link, Optical Fiber and Telkom Copper wire each of these methods having their capacity limits.
In the cities the networks normally self provision by fiber, rural areas normally use Telkom Copper wire where the network cannot self provision.
For example your area will only transmit LTE where the network is able to self provision with fiber links.
The slow speeds in rural areas can be put down to the Telkom Copper links in general in spit of good signals.
 
Ivanr said:
Hoping my reply is of value to your situation. Your signal looks good without an external antenna.
As far as download/upload speeds concerned the following should also be considered.
Your signal is transmitted from a BTS (Tower) serving your area as part of its footprint.
The BTS is connected to a RAN (Radio Access Network) via links.
The Links (Provisioning) can consist of Microwave Radio link, Optical Fiber and Telkom Copper wire each of these methods having their capacity limits.
In the cities the networks normally self provision by fiber, rural areas normally use Telkom Copper wire where the network cannot self provision.
For example your area will only transmit LTE where the network is able to self provision with fiber links.
The slow speeds in rural areas can be put down to the Telkom Copper links in general in spit of good signals.
Click to expand...

This make sense yes, I would imagine the link to the tower is possibly the issue.

Thanks!
 
herbertk said:
This make sense yes, I would imagine the link to the tower is possibly the issue.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
We can only but hope that networks will be permitted to self provision fiber links all over the rural/city areas in time plus increase radio freq spectrum.
 
Ivanr said:
We can only but hope that networks will be permitted to self provision fiber links all over the rural/city areas in time plus increase radio freq spectrum.
Click to expand...

If they can get rid of the old TV spectrum... so perhaps 2025 ? or is that optimistic ?
 
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