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Beware, if you respond quickly, you might end up missing. This is because the correct answer is ... it
depends! The Signal Strength is a very important and essential measure for any technology (GSM, CDMA,
UMTS, LTE, etc.). However, it is not the only one: let's talk a little today about another magnitude, equally
important: the Signal Noise Ratio.
Although this ratio is of fundamental importance to any cellular system, is not well understood by many
professionals. On the opposite side, professionals with a good understanding of this ratio are able for
example, to correctly assess the RF links, and also to perform more extensive optimizations, obtaining the
best possible performance of the system.
So, let's see a little about it?
Eb and No
To begin, we define the basic concepts of Eb and No. They are basic for any digital communication system,
and generally we talk about it when we deal with Bit Error Rate and also Modulation techniques.
Simply put:
Eb: Bit Energy.
o It represents the amount of energy per bit.
No: Noise Spectral Density.
o Unit: Watts/Hz (or mWatts/Hz)
Which brings us to the classic definition of Eb/No:
Eb/No: Bit Energy on the Spectral Noise Density.
o Unit: dB
It did not help much, does it?
Do not worry. Indeed, only with the theoretical definition is still very difficult to see how this ratio is used, or
how
it
can
be
measured.
But okay, let's walk a little further.
To understand how this ratio can be measured, let's imagine a simple digital communication system.
The ratio Eb/No is measured at the receiver, and serves to indicate how strong the signal is.
Depending on the modulation technique used (BPSK, QPSK, etc.) we have different curves for Bit Error Rate
x Eb/No.
These curves are used as follows: for a certain RF signal, which is the bit errors rate that I have? Is this bit
error rate acceptable for my system?
Whereas the gain that digital has, then we can set a minimum criterion of signal to noise ratio, in order to
have each service (Voice/Data) operating acceptably.
In other words, we can theoretically determine how the performance would be for the digital link.
Note: it is worth remembering here that this is a very complex subject. As always, we try to introduce to
you the most simplified possible through the use of examples and simple concepts. Okay?
For example, a concept that could be explored here - since we are talking about digital communication
system - is the Noise Figure. But we do not want to repeat here all the theory explained in the University.
Nor was it to have mentioned the noise figure here, but as we talked about it, just understand as a noise
level that every receiver has, and that it is due to the process of amplification and processing of signal.
Concepts like this, and other even more complex, can be studied, if you wish. But now, let's continue with
our signal to noise ratio.
The concept of Eb/No applies to any digital communication system. But today we are talking specifically to
Ec/Io, which is a measure of evaluation and decisions of CDMA and UMTS.
Note: all the technology uses signal-interference ratio. For example, in GSM, we use C/I.
As we are speaking of codes, it becomes easier to understand the concepts by observing a simplified
diagram of Spread Spectrum Modulation.
In red, in transmitter have a narrowband signal with data or voice modulated. This signal is spread and
transmitted. And spreads through the middle (air). In the receiver, the signal is despread - using the same
sequence that was spread - and thus recovering the base narrowband signal.
To proceed, we must know some more definitions. However, this point is quite delicate, as we enter a
conceptual area where we have differences between authors, differences in translations/countries, where
differences in technologies are applied, etc..
Let's try to define in a generic way, and only the main.
No: Spectral Density of Noise;
o Noise generated by the RF components of the system, the air, among others.
Io: Interference is the Broadband; Interfering co-channel, including yourself setor.
E: is the signal (average) energy - do not confuse it with the sinal (average) power.
b, c, s. ..: Energy are the power points in time, therefore related to the measure or 'length' of the
time (the average power is independent of time ).
o Hence it comes Eb, Ec and Es, respectively relating to Bit Chip and Symbol in different
times.
Note: With these concepts, several formulas can be derived with different numerators and denominators.
For example, Es = Eb * k, where k = number of bits per symbol. In QPSK modulation, where k = 2, Es = 2
* Eb. And the derivations of formulas can reach far more complex equations, such as the definitions of
capacity of an AWGN channel, and further deductions for equivalences (Ec/No, Eb/Nt, etc. ...). Again, it is
not our purpose here today. We only mention a few concepts, related.
Then come back to the practical level - noting that theoretical approaches can be done more easily later,
after the basics are understood.
So let's keep today in ratios most common: Eb/No and Ec/Io.
As we defined Eb/No is the Average Energy of a bit signal, on the Spectral Density of Noise. It is primarily a
parameter related to the manufacturer for different bearers (based on the channel model). But it can also
vary with the environment (urban, rural, suburban), speed, diversity, use of power control, application type,
etc..
And now we can begin to define Ec/Io, one of the most important systems in CDMA and UMTS.
Note: An important observation is that often when we refer to Ec/Io, we are actually referring to Ec/(Io +
No). What happens is that for practical purposes, we only have Ec/Io, because the interference is much
stronger and the noise can be neglected. Otherwise: for CDMA interference is like a noise, then both can be
considered the same thing.
Okay, let's stop with the issues and concepts, and talk a little about the values of these indicators and their
use in practice.
Thus we have:
Ec = 2 W
Io = 0 + 2 + 2 = 4 W
Ec/Io = (2/4) = 0.5 = -3 dB
Now assume that several traffic channels are busy (eg use 6 W for traffic channels). This is a situation of
traffic load, we'll see how is Ec/Io.
Ec = 2 W
Io = 2 + 2 + 6 = 10 W
Ec/Io = (2/10) = 0.2 = -7 dB
Conclusion: As the traffic load in the sector increases, the Ec/Io worsens.
Let us now consider another situation. Instead of one, we have five sectors signal arriving at the mobile (for
simplicity, all with the same level of -90 dBm).
Now have Io = -83 dBm (which is the sum of five signals of -90 dBm). And the power of our pilot channel
remains the same (Ec = -96 dBm).
Thus: Ec/Io = -96 - (-83) = -13 dB
Conclusion: As many more sectors serves the mobile, the Ec/Io worsens.
This situation where we have many overlapping sectors, and with the same level of signal is known as Pilot
Pollution - the mobile sees them all at once - each acting as interferer to each other.
The solution in such cases is to eliminate unwanted signals, by setting power parameters or physical
adjustments (tilt, azimuth), leaving just dominant signals which should exist at this problematic place.
In practical terms, values of Ec/Io for a good evaluation of the network (in terms of this indicator) are shown
in the diagram below.
Conclusion
Today we had a brief introduction on the Ec/Io ratio, a measurement for decisions in CDMA and UMTS, and
used togheter with the measured Signal Strength.
We have seen that it represents the ratio of signal energy within the duration of a chip of the pilot channel,
on the Spectral Density of Noise + Interference.
This is a very important measure, which somehow ignores the overall strength of the signal, and focuses on
how best to evaluate the pilot channel signal is desired, in relation to noise that interferes with it.
Returning to our original question: A strong signal level does not necessarily indicate an strong Ec/Io: it
depends on the level of interference.