What is 5G NR Measurements: RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ and SINR

1. RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power)

Definition: RSRP represents the power level of the downlink reference signals transmitted by the 5G base station as received by the user equipment (UE).

Technical Details:

• Measurement: RSRP is measured in dBm (decibel-milliwatts).
• Purpose: It indicates the signal strength of the serving cell.
• Calculation: It is the linear average of the power contributions (in Watts) of the resource elements carrying the reference signals.
• Usage: RSRP is used for cell selection, handover decisions, and power control.

2. RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)

Definition: RSSI measures the total received signal power, including the power from all serving and neighboring cells.

Technical Details:

• Measurement: RSSI is also measured in dBm.
• Components: It includes the power of the desired signal, interference, and noise.
• Purpose: Provides a broad view of the overall signal strength at the UE.
• Influence: RSSI can be affected by interference from neighboring cells, noise, and other environmental factors.

3. RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality)

Definition: RSRQ provides information about the quality of the received reference signals relative to the interference and noise level.

Technical Details:

• Calculation: RSRQ is calculated as the ratio of RSRP to RSSI, typically expressed in dB. Mathematically,\text{RSRQ} = \frac{\text{RSRP}}{\text{RSSI}}.
• Purpose: Indicates the quality of the received signal compared to the total received power.
• Usage: Helps in assessing the level of interference and noise in the network.

4. SINR (Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio)

Definition: SINR measures the ratio of the received signal power to the sum of interference and noise power.

Technical Details:

• Measurement: SINR is expressed in dB.
• Purpose: Evaluates the quality of the received signal in the presence of interference and noise.
• Importance: A higher SINR value indicates a better quality of the communication link, as it suggests that the received signal power is significantly higher than the interference and noise level.

Summary

These measurements are crucial for evaluating and optimizing the performance of 5G NR networks. They help network operators and engineers monitor signal quality, strength, and interference levels, ultimately enhancing user experience and troubleshooting potential issues.