Assessment of Diurnal Signal Strength Penetration of Mobile Signals through Ceiling Materials

Abstract

Communication has been much easier since the onset of the global system for mobile communication (GSM). However, despite the advancement and several upgrades been deployed in GSM communication, it is also a known fact that signal loss is still being experienced in some buildings due to the different materials utilized in their construction including those of the roofing and ceiling. Hence, this work was aimed at analyzing the Mobile network signal strength penetration through three (3) of the most commonly used ceiling materials (POP, Hardboard and Glass) and the free Air column as control in Nigeria. An In-situ signal strength software installed on an android phone was used for signal strength measurement on the signal reception in buildings during the 09th, 12th, 15th, and 18th communication hours for twelve consecutive days. The data obtained were modelled using the Log distance model for path loss in wireless communication to estimate the pathloss exponent (n) of the signal and the penetration signal (attenuation) loss through for all the ceiling materials. The GSM service providers operating at frequencies 2120 MHz, 2130 MHz, 2140MHz and 2150MHz respectively  were used for analysis. The results showed the penetration loss and Path loss exponent ( n) for Glass; a maximum value of 9.25 dB and n of 3.61 for 09HR, 3.92dB and n of3.63 for 12HR, 12.22dB and n of 3.40 for 15HR and 0.91dB and n of 3.52, for POP; a maximum value of 13.15 dB and n of 3.68 for 09HR,3.96 dB and n of 3.57 for 12HR, 14.82dB and n of 3.70 for 15HR and 6.07dB and n of 3.79 , for Hardboard; a maximum value of 11.38 dB and n of 3.58 for 09HR, 3.01dB and n of 3.61 for 12HR, 13.41dB and n of 3.79 for 15HR and 4.21 dB and n of 3.60 for frequencies 2120 MHz, 2130 MHz, 2140MHz and 2150MHz respectively. The mean penetration loss obtained for glass was lowest at 18HR 12HR, and high at 09HR and 15HR, with value 0.63dB, 3.04dB and 3.41dB and 3.81 dB, POP with value 2.54dB, 2.547dB and 4.68dB and 6.25 dB and hardboard with value 1.93dB, 2.26dB and 4.90dB and 6.1081 dB respectively. It could be concluded that for all ceiling materials 18HR and12HR were best time to roam calls and to prevent data packet loss during the day.