Research Study Report

Introduction

 A review on the usage of various wireless carriers indicates the existence of poor GSM connection inside the building especially when using carriers such as Verizon, Sprint and AT&T. When using these carriers inside the building, poor network connection or lack of network while using a smart phone is experienced indoors. Even where devices such as T-Mobile are used, it does not provide enough coverage in terms of network which makes communication very important. This report aims at looking into the various reasons for the problem and suggests various solutions that may be adopted or implemented. The cost that comes with implementation of these solutions is also highlighted in the report in order to obtain enough assessment of the issue.

Research on the cause of poor GSM network

The coverage black-spots results from various causes and some may be planned for, effects minimized or mitigated through the assistance of network operators and even others that may not be visible to the network. The experience of poor indoor network coverage can be attributed to the obstructions by the building since it stands in the radio transmission path , and therefore leading to fading of the any network connection. The building acts as a physical obstruction may be due to the penetrability of the materials used for its construction. Hence, radio transmissions bounce of such an object at very acute angle which leads to reflections of signals(Mishra,  25). These reflections of the signals also cause delay and any simple receiver would just act as interference. Therefore, having poor network inside the building regardless of sufficient coverage outside the building shows clearly that the building is the cause since signals are reflected by the materials in the building.  This means that during the construction of the building there was little regard was given to the need for indoor coverage and may be a sign that materials used for structural strength and insulation can be the greatest culprit in this obstruction.

 In other cases, the cell tower may not be too far but still signal remains weak even outside the building and this case; the cause is normally the broadcasting antenna angling which may reduce the focusing of the intended coverage area. In such a case, even the network inside the building will continue being affected and may even be worse at times. The use of a single Omni-directional antenna means that there is a capacity limit since the speed available and the extent of usage may be limited.

Results

To begin with,   it is necessary to have wireless solutions that are in-building which will be aimed at boosting the signal and this include the passive or active systems that will improve network connectivity from within.  Passive can achieve a coverage that is stronger since it strengthens the current signal from the closest tower cell . Active system can allow for an increase in capacity since it basically involves a construction of miniature cell site for the specified area. These two involves the use of an antenna to boost network connectivity inside the building. The antenna can be attached to the phone while inside the building so as to try to harness the network connectivity for that specific place(Mishra,  56).

A GSM modem is another option that provides a solution for lack of indoor network connection. The devise is a wireless modem that is compatible with GSM wireless network. Such a modem will act like a modem for dial-up even though both are different. While dial-up modem works through sending and receiving data by use of a fixed telephone line, wireless modem involves sending and receiving data by use of radio waves.  The GSM modem would need a SIM card provided by a wireless carrier so as to operate.  The device involves a technology that is packet-switched and is normally extended from GSM. The device comes with a specific serial interface that can be used to control the modem by use a command interface for AT. In addition, a power adapter and even antenna is also provided, and has basic modem working segregation that consist of SMS, GSM Data Calla, GPRS and even voice calls.  The SMS involves using the modem to provide various features including SMS transmission that is pre-stored while the transmission of SMS can be done on specific trigger events in a system that is automatic (Mishra,  25). Inside the building, it is also possible to make data calls using phone line and one advantage over SMS is that it allows communicating parties to send or receive data using their terminals. The data calls are essentially made for the purpose of sending and receiving data streams between devices such as PC’s or even embedded devices.

 

It is possible to establish calls using terminals at either receiving or send side while starting the data calls. In other cases, GPRS modem can be used for data transmission and where the modem is not able to reach the required speed. The GPRS can achieve higher speed in data transmission than GSM.

The building can also be rebuilt so as to use materials that will not obstruct the transmission of signals or using materials that will not reflect the radio signals required for network connectivity. Or rather the building can use the Distributed Antenna System where a rooftop donor antenna can be connected to an Optical Transfer System and an amplifier at the basement whereby the signal is then routed to various ceiling antennas.

The use of this principal can be combined with various multiple antennas or Smart Repeaters to enable the extension of network coverage in many floors of the building.  In all these cases, the angle of the antenna and tilting of the antenna can be done to ensure there is sufficient GSM network coverage. The tilting can be done so that it faces below horizon and hence power is focused at specified coverage area.

Criteria for the solutions

 The criteria for selecting the best solution involve time, cost and possibility of adopting the solution. The cost and time factors normally interact with each other and a tradeoff can be achieved. If the implementation of the solution is achieved earlier, more funds especially on additional personal and overtime will be required. The cost for reconstructing the building is expected to be higher than that of installing devices such as GSM modem and Distributed Antenna System.

Conclusion

 The loss or disruption of GSM network connectivity in the building can be attributed to the materials used in its construction which reflect any signals. The various alternatives available includes restricting the building, using a GSM Modem and Distributed Antenna System. GPRRS can be used where GSM modem fails to solve the problem

 

Recommendation

In this case it would be efficient to implement the GSM Modem so as to save on cost. Moreover, the re-construction of the building to allow for internet connectivity may take a lot of time hence, the choice for installing new improvement devices.

Works cited

Mishra, Raj Gaurav, ed. HCTL Open International Journal of Technology Innovations and Research (IJTIR): Volume 2, March 2013. HCTL Open Publications Solutions, India, 2013.25, 56