Uplink and Downlink Interference

Introduction

The objective of this report is to highlight the difference between uplink and
downlink external interference.

The principle of a jammer is to generate a radio signal at a higher power than the
radio signal which trying to jam or block. For example, if a device is emitting a radio
signal at 900MHz, then all you need to do is emit a strong signal at 900MHz near the
receiver. The receiver may be a mobile phone if jamming is downlink and it is base
station when the jamming is uplink. Since the receiver will receive your stronger
jamming signal in preference to the weaker genuine signal, you will have blocked the
receiver’s ability to receive that broadcast.

Uplink interference

Line of Sight (LOS)

UpLink – Line of Sight

No Line of Sight Jammer

Average tower height is 20m in Baghdad, as a result of that line of sight (LOS) is there
even jammer is far away as per above picture. Even towers are far away there is high
possibility to have LOS since base station antennas are placed on a tower or a top of
the building.
Uplink path loss calculation

Average downlink RX Level distribution in Baghdad as above which has the mean
value of -68 dBm as per above graph.

Average uplink receiver level is -78 dBm since normal different between uplink and
downlink is 10 dB since output power of mobile is much less than the base station.

As per GSM standards C/I ratio should be better than 12 dB to have a good
communication.

Then, C/I = 12 dB

Asiacell’s average uplink signal strength is -78 dBm, then acceptable interference
level is,

-78 / I = 12 dB  I = - 78 – 12 dBm = -90 dBm

If interference receives interference higher than -90 dBm then base station unable to
decode the signal correctly.

Assume the specification of the interference source is as below,

Transmit power = 20 W
Antenna Gain = 10 dBi

Then if the interference source locate 2 km away, receive strength is -90 dBm by the
base station in uplink. Which means 50% of mobiles will be effected within 2km
radius due this interference. (Calculation can be done in
http://www.k5rmg.org/tech/FreeSp.html)
12 BTSs will be severely affected by one uplink jammer located in Green zone as per
above map.

Downlink interference

Line of Sight

20m

No Line of Sight Jammer

Average tower height is 20m in Baghdad, as a result of that line of sight (LOS) is there
even jammer is far away as per above picture. But most of mobile stations are
located on 1m above the ground with people. Then most of mobile phones are
blocked and there is no line of sight as above picture.
Downlink path loss calculation

As per GSM standards C/I ratio should be better than 12 dB to have a good
communication.

Then, C/I = 12 dB

Asiacell’s average uplink signal strength is -68 dBm,

Then acceptable Interference is,

-68 / I = 12 dB

I = - 68 – 12 dBm = -80 dBm

If interference receives interference higher than -80 dBm then base station unable to
decode the signal correctly.

If the specification of the interference source as same,

Then if the interference source locate 500 m away receive strength is -80 dBm which
means 50% mobiles will be effected within 125 m radius due this interference.
Conclusion

 Jammer has line of sight to towers even far away base stations since
antennas are placed well above the ground level (normally 20m).
 Jammer does not have line of sight to far away mobile stations since most of
them are blocked by buildings or by other obstructions.
 Average uplink MS receiver level is -90 dBm. Then even jammer locate 2 km
away 50% of mobiles will be jammed within radius of 2km. Which means
 Average downlink MS receiver level is -80 dBm. Then jammer should locate
less than 125m as per above calculations.
 Therefore downlink jamming is much better than uplink interference from
operator point of view.