Which Values (High or Low) are better in Android's getGsmSignalStrength()

android gsm signal-strength
fernferret picture fernferret · Aug 6, 2010 · Viewed 10.2k times · Source

I'm playing around with reading the signal strengths in a small Android App, and was wondering if anyone has tested this (or just knows) of the documented values (0-31, 99) which value is better.

By asking which is better, I mean, does 0 represent no signal, or perfect signal.

I'm running an HTC Incredible on Verizon, so I can confirm the 99 is no GSM antenna, but I could not find any other items on GSM

Answer

adamk picture adamk · Aug 6, 2010

The values are defined in the GSM standard TS 27.007, section 8.5 (Google it, or see here)

From the standard:

0        -113 dBm or less  
1        -111 dBm  
2...30   -109... -53 dBm  
31        -51 dBm or greater  

99 not known or not detectable

Which means - 0 is low, 31 is good.

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