Repeatability of Received Signal Level Measurements in GSM Cellular Networks

Received signal level (RSL) measurements are frequently used to verify coverage and ensure quality of service in cellular communication networks. To accomplish these tasks, it is of the utmost importance that these measurements are reliable and repeatable. This paper presents a repeatability study conducted on a series of RSL measurements in the GSM 1900MHz frequency band. The measurements were collected with three different drive-test systems used in common engineering practice. Data obtained from the tests are analyzed using statistical tools and the extent of the RSL measurement repeatability is determined. The analysis provides a quantitative assessment of the RSL dependence on random changes in the propagation environment. Data analysis demonstrates a significant repeatability difference between the measurement systems