Understanding RSRP and SINR in LTE and Their Equivalents in 5G

 Understanding RSRP and SINR in LTE and Their Equivalents in 5G

➖RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power):

Definition:

RSRP represents the power level of the downlink reference signals transmitted by the LTE base station (eNodeB) as received by the user equipment (UE).
It focuses on the power of specific reference signals.

Measurement Unit:

RSRP is measured in dBm (decibel-milliwatts).

Typical Range:

-Good RSRP values range from around -44 dBm (strong signal) to -140 dBm (weak signal).
-Higher values indicate better signal strength.

Usage:

RSRP provides an indication of the signal strength from the serving cell.
A lower RSRP value indicates weake signal strength, while a higher value suggests stronger signal strength.
It is typically reported on a per-frequency basis.

➖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.
It quantifies the quality of the received signal in the presence of interference and noise.

Measurement Unit:

SINR is expressed in dB.

Typical Range:

Excellent SINR: Above 20 dB
Good SINR: From 13 to 20 dB
Fair SINR: From 0 to 13 dB
Poor SINR: Below 0 dB

Usage:

SINR provides a more comprehensive view of signal quality compared to RSRP.

It considers both signal strength and the impact of interference and noise.
Operators use SINR to calculate the CQI (Channel Quality Indicator) reported by the UE to the network.

Equivalent Metrics in 5G:

In 5G NR (New Radio), the terminology changes slightly:
➖SS-RSRP (Secondary Synchronization Signal Reference Signal Received Power): Similar to RSRP, but associated with synchronization signals (SS) in 5G.
➖SS-SINR (Secondary Synchronization Signal Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio): Equivalent to SINR, considering SS signals.
➖CSI-RSRP (Channel State Information Reference Signal Received Power): Similar to RSRP, but associated with CSI reference signals.
➖CSI-SINR (Channel State Information Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio): Equivalent to SINR, considering CSI reference signals.
These measurements help assess signal quality, interference, and noise levels in 5G networks.

📌ًRemember that while RSRP provides a basic signal strength indication, SINR and its equivalents in 5G offer a more comprehensive assessment of signal quality. 📶