Research On Smart Signal Repeater Of A Cell Edge Location

ABSTRACT

GSM Network performance and service quality evaluation are essential steps for mobile operators as the income generated and customer satisfaction is directly linked to network performance and quality. Mobile Network Service Satisfaction assessment, most importantly from the consumer’s perception is necessary to evaluate the network performance and maintain service quality standards.

This paper focuses on the investigation of GSM networks’ signal strength coverage in rural communities in the South-Eastern region of Nigeria. The Network Cell Info Lite application installed in two Gionee M5phones was used to carry out measurement of the signal strength received from the transmitting stations of various GSM networks. Signal strength obtained from the application was compared with the Gionee android used with smart signal repeater for authentication purposes. The signal strength measurements were conducted for MTN, ETISALAT, AIRTEL and GLO. The data obtained was analyzed to determine the GSM networks coverage levels, the availability of the networks, and the quality of the network provided in the aforementioned rural communities. The result of the study shows that most rural communities in the South-East region of Nigeria, like Amaigbo and Amasa, experiences a lot of periods of out of service as a result of poor network coverage level which was greatly improved when a smart repeater was installed.

WORDS AND MEANING

Signal strength (SS)

Quality of signal (QOS)

Short message services (SMS)

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)

Global System for Mobiles (GSM)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0      INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

• PROBLEM STATEMENT
• AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
• SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
• ADVANTAGES OF THE PROJECT
• RESEARCH QUESTION
• DEFINITION OF TERMS

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

• INTRODUCTION
• AN OVERVIEW OF MOBILE PHONE SIGNAL
• HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF A CELL–BASED MOBILE RADIO SYSTEM
• FACTORS AFFECTING SERVICE EFFICIENCY
• REVIEW OF THE STUDY
• REVIEW OF RELATED WORKS
• REVIEW OF GSM FREQUENCY USAGE AROUND THE WORLD
• FACTORS CAUSING SIGNAL STRENGTH VARIATION
• TYPES OF GSM REPEATER

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

• STUDY AREA
• METHOD
• MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1    RESULT AND DISCUSSSION

CHAPTER FIVE

• CONCLUSION
• RECOMMENDATION
• REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                         INTRODUCTION

1.1                             BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The introduction of cellular phones in Nigeria has allowed millions of Nigerians in urban and rural areas to be more connected than ever. Prior to the introduction of the Global System Mobile (GSM) telecommunication, Nigerians depended on the use of an automobile to commute between communities with a view to disseminating information (Olawole, 2013). GSM has been described as the major dividend of Nigeria’s evolution to democracy. This is due to the positive influence of GSM on the socio- economic development of the nation. However, GSM telecommunication is not without any challenge as in the past three years or more, there has been an enormous public uproar over the declining quality of service in the running of GSM enterprises (Ndukwe, 2006). Hence, this gave rise to the second generation (2G) of cellular telephones networks. This network can now carry more subscribers as against the analogue systems (Kuboye, Alese, Fajuyigbe & Adewale, 2011).

GSM signal proficiency and network quality assessment are critical steps for cellular telecommunication facilitators, as the profits spawned and client gratification is unswervingly related to the GSM signal quality and performance. GSM signal evaluation, most significantly from the customer’s point of view, is essential to assess the signal quality and sustain a standard quality of service (Nkordeh, Olatunbosun, Bob-Manuel & Oni, 2016). GSM signal which is also known as service and reception is the signal received by a phone from a network on the communication pathway. The GSM signal varies due to some factors such as the height of the antenna, transmitter power, nearness to the transmitting antenna, and obstructions like trees or buildings (Iwuji & Emeruwa, 2018). Most cellular phones use bars of increasing height to show the estimated strength of a received signal to the cell phone user. Usually, five bars are used to indicate the signal strength on most cell phones.

The numbers of bars on the cell phone is not always the best means to measure mobile phone signal strength. This is because the mobile phone signal is subjective across all carriers. Mobile phone signals are radio waves that operate within a definite frequency. The cell phone signals operate within the range of -50 dBm to -120 dBm (Bablu, Heena, Aswathy & Komal, 2017). A signal of -120 dBm is a dead zone or an extremely poor signal. This is applicable to all mobile devices both in Nigeria and other countries. Thus, measurement in dBm and not the number of bars on the phone is the best way to know the accurate strength of the signal on a cell phone. The signal strength of about -50 to -79 dBm (4 – 5 bars) outside an enclosed place is generally considered to be a very strong signal strength. Good signal strength ranges from -80 to -89 dBm (3 – 4). Signal strength within the range of -90 to -99 dBm (2 – 3 bars) are regarded as average signal and those within the -100 to

-109 dBm (1 – 2 bars) are considered to be poor signals. Very poor signals are signal strength within the range of -110 to -120 dBm (0 – 1 bar) (Bablu, Heena, Aswathy & Komal, 2017). This implies that stronger signal strength for mobile phones are recorded when the signal strength of the device approaches zero (0). Generally, from -95 dBm and above, the signal strength is considered to be below average. However, from 100 dBm and above, the signal strength of the cell phone experiences some serious inconsistent service and weak signal reception (Elechi & Otasowie, 2015). The mobile phone signal booster   will   struggle   with   signal   strength   above   105   dBm. A numerical value proportional to the received signal strength measured by the cell phone is known as the Arbitrary Strength Unit (ASU). The actual signal strength measured in dBm can be calculated by using a specific formula. However, the formula used to estimate the actual signal obtained in dBm differs for 2G, 3G, and 4G networks (Onwuemele, 2011).

Information dissemination by individuals within the country, states, and local government areas are mostly carried out with the aid of GSM. This is done through a voice call, electronic mail, short message service (SMS), and watching of informative movies or electronic learning (Emeruwa, 2015). In some of these areas (especially in rural communities), effective and efficient dissemination of this information is not totally achieved. This may be due to average, poor or no signals, interference, obstruction, and congestion within the area.

To improve the network of a customer in any edge location, a smart signal repeater is used. A mobile phone repeater is a type of “active repeater” antenna. It’s a telecommunications device that takes a mobile signal and re-broadcasts it through a specific area, and are particularly useful in rural, regional and remote areas.

1.2                                          PROBLEM STATEMENT

People want to communicate with their family and friends and to be communicated with. This desire makes it all the more frustrating when the network is poor or doesn’t go through at all. There have been serious complains raised by GSM subscribers regarding poor quality of services (QoS) rendered by the GSM operators in this study area. The most annoying aspect of this is the fact that all the GSM subscribers irrespective of the operator are being affected (Joshua, 2010). Based on these customer complains, this study was embarked upon to find ways of proffering solutions of which using a smart signal repeater is one. Smart signal repeater takes a mobile signal and re-broadcasts it through a specific area.

1.3                             AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of this work is to carry out research on a smart signal repeater of a cell edge location. The objectives of this work are:

1. To study a smart signal repeater at low cost for an edge location.
2. To ensure the availability of the networks, and the quality of the network provided in the edge location

• To enhance good network coverage level in rural communities.

1.4                          SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Repeaters receive a mobile signal at a location where it’s strong (which includes via cables to a passive antenna on your roof), and broadcasts (or repeats) the signal in a circle centred on the repeater itself.

The scope of this study covers studying a cell phone signal repeater using very all-digital powerful baseband processors that clean the coverage prior to rebroadcasting. Smart reception amplifiers come with over 100 dB gains while their analog counterparts have 63-70 dB gains.

1.5                                    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Poor GSM network has resulted in the development of cellular signal repeaters that help in receiving the weak signal, amplifying and then re-transmitting it to reach the edge location. Boosters are now giving hope to the frustrated wireless users such as indoor users and those at the fringes of a cell site. It is hoped that this will serve as a one-stop shop for researchers and developers in the important field of wireless signal repeaters and extenders, who wish to know how GSM networks can be improved mostly in an edge location.

This study will also serve as an avenue for the student involves in knowing intensely about GSM networks.

This study would help operators to enhance coverage, improve quality and increase capacity in the days to come.

1.6                                       ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT

In a nutshell, a cell phone reception repeater:

1. Boosts the 4G LTE, 3G or 2G voice signals in your car or home.
2. Enhances the internet speed, text and talk quality.

• Maintains a reliable connection throughout.

1. Widens the reception area.
2. Diminishes coverage problems.

1.7                                           RESEARCH QUESTION

At the end of this work, student involved shall be able to provide answers to the following questions:

1. What is a signal repeater
2. How do you make a signal repeater?

• What is an operating principle of a smart signal repeater?

1. Can a smart signal repeater with all GSM networks?

1.8                                           DEFINITION OF TERMS

EDGE LOCATION: An edge location is the nearest point to the consumer (user) who is consuming the AWS service. In these locations, the server is not present but a small setup is there. They are located in major cities around the world.

GSM: GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) is a digital mobile network that is widely used by mobile phone users