Find the best signal position for the device by reading the signal strength (RSSI)
How to read signal strength in cellular modems?
All cellular modems supports the AT+CSQ command that returns the signal strength of the device. At+CSQ command returns signal strength value is the range of 1-30. Higher the number value returned by AT+CSQ command, better the signal condition.
What impacts the signal strength of the device?
Various factors impacts the signal strength of the device.
- Proximity to signal tower – Devices that are near the signal tower will have stronger signal.
- Interference – When the device is in a noisy environment such as inside a building or elevator, the signal condition will be weak.
- Antenna connector – In a development environment where the device is connected to an external antenna, the location of the external antenna and/or the device will impact the signal condition.
How to adjust device and/or antenna for better signal condition?
AT Command Tester tool provides an easy interface to read the signal condition while adjusting the device and/or external antenna location. By monitoring the signal condition reported the AT Command Tester tool, users can place the device and/or external antenna in a optimal location.
AT Command Tester tool, tool provides these configuration parameters for monitoring the signal condition,
- Maximum number of RSSI measurements
- Number of measurements to average
- Time between each RSSI measurement
