I've seen some people post regarding less/lower signal bars when updating to the new radios which come with 4.3 and you have LTE.
At first I said "WTF" but then I realized... the bars are now sort-of working as intended...
Let me explain,
If you're connected to LTE, the bars are now based off your LTE signal strength. I noticed even at roughly -110 to -100 I only get one bar. I believe the bars start going up dramatically once you have a signal strength greater than -100 (for example, -95db, -85db) And we all know -130db is the cutoff before we lose LTE.
I figured this out once I turned the phone to "CDMA only" to test. Once on "CDMA only" I had almost full bars, (-70-75db for 3G/1x)
To conclude, if you're on LTE and only have 1 bar, you most likely/probably have great cell phone coverage as that 1 bar is determining signal strength for only LTE. When connected to LTE, you're also still connected to 1xRTT which is used for voice. LTE is only used for Data at the moment.
If you really want to test your cell phone coverage, you can get one of those programs to tell you both your 1x signal and 4G signal simultaneously.
Edit: I forgot to mention, Considering the LTE radio and 1x/3g radio are seperate, you're going to get mixed results depending on signal penetration through walls, trees, etc. From what I've seen so far, as of right now 1x/3g penetrates a bit better than LTE. But, really depends on your surroundings
Thanks for the info. Someone else tipped me off about this, and a few SpeedTest checks confirmed it. In fact, 1 bar with the 4.3 ROM produced slightly better results than the 4.1 ROM with 5 bars.
ED2O9 said:
Thanks for the info. Someone else tipped me off about this, and a few SpeedTest checks confirmed it. In fact, 1 bar with the 4.3 ROM produced slightly better results than the 4.1 ROM with 5 bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, which makes sense because when connected to LTE on 4.1 the 5 bars are based off your voice coverage, not LTE strength.
Still seems kind of dumb. I'd rather know what signal I have to make a phone call rather than what kind of data I can expect.
Thanks for info !
Sometimes just 1 bar but internet working well, but 4-5 bars it is not working/slower !
Related
So if we have root finally can someone tell me if there is any way to resolve the signal strenght problem?? It looks like Droid 3 has different perception of signal strenght than my Motorola Milestone... When my milestone has signal about -83dB it has all 4on4 bars of signal strenght, and on Droid 3 -80dB means 2x4 bars...
the problem is when the signal is around -90 dB... Milestone has than 2on4 bars and Droid 3 has 1on4 bars or is Out of service...
Is there any file in the system that manage D3's perception of signal???
Hope You can help me somehow...
When I got this phone I wondered about that myself. But I never had any issues with calls.
I'd say a new rom might be the answer, but hey...
This sounds like the same issue with Droid 2 Global. Try switching to 2G and see if bars "increase" so to say. On D2g it is more of a cosmetic issue, even Cyanogenmod ROM for that phone applies fix, so bar count is displayed properly.
Edit: on Motorola XT860 this works normally (compared to D2g it seems to get better reception too). For non-Verizon users, I strongly recommend this version over the US D3
To which setting do you put your "Set preferred network type" under *#*#4636#*#* ?
Mine is set to "GSM Auto (PRL)"
Also, TELUS doesn't have a 2G network, so I can't test that option.
My phone is rarely at 5x5, mostly 3x5 or 4x5. My previous Milestone almost always had 4x4.
You can also check your signal strenght over time if you check your battery stats and click on the graph at the top of your screen.
The first bar should be Green, yellow, red or gray depending on your signal strength.
mikenius said:
So if we have root finally can someone tell me if there is any way to resolve the signal strenght problem?? It looks like Droid 3 has different perception of signal strenght than my Motorola Milestone... When my milestone has signal about -83dB it has all 4on4 bars of signal strenght, and on Droid 3 -80dB means 2x4 bars...
the problem is when the signal is around -90 dB... Milestone has than 2on4 bars and Droid 3 has 1on4 bars or is Out of service...
Is there any file in the system that manage D3's perception of signal???
Hope You can help me somehow...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had 3 replacements, first for out of service, then also screen and vibrate issues. All had the loss of service even with lots of towers near me. Usually a reboot fixes it but it's getting very annoying . Had a high level ticket opened with them and eventually was written off as a droid 3 issue and closed. They just don't want to help.
SX86 said:
To which setting do you put your "Set preferred network type" under *#*#4636#*#* ?
Mine is set to "GSM Auto (PRL)"
Also, TELUS doesn't have a 2G network, so I can't test that option.
My phone is rarely at 5x5, mostly 3x5 or 4x5. My previous Milestone almost always had 4x4.
You can also check your signal strenght over time if you check your battery stats and click on the graph at the top of your screen.
The first bar should be Green, yellow, red or gray depending on your signal strength.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am with Rogers and signal indicator is most of the time on 5 bars. I've seen it go down to 4, usually indoors, very seldom down to 3 or 2. I am yet to see 1 bar only or no bars at all (which wasn't at all unusual on my D2G
In that case, it must be a phone model vs cell towers (Bell/TELUS, Rogers) issue.
leobg said:
This sounds like the same issue with Droid 2 Global. Try switching to 2G and see if bars "increase" so to say. On D2g it is more of a cosmetic issue, even Cyanogenmod ROM for that phone applies fix, so bar count is displayed properly.
Edit: on Motorola XT860 this works normally (compared to D2g it seems to get better reception too). For non-Verizon users, I strongly recommend this version over the US D3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried to change it to 2G only and it works and it shows 4/4 bars... however I use internet so 3G/HSPA is my preffered network and on 3G it shaws usually 1-2 bars and from time to time it drops the signal... It has to be software problem because when I change it to GSM Auto PRL from GSM only and it was at 2G showing full range it stays at 2G but shows 2 bars... so another MOTO bug... :/ but i would like to find out how to change it...
I have performed many APN, ROM, and baseband experiments and have successfully routed out every variable contributing to signal loss on data, voice, drop call, and signal blackout. I can produce a full detailed on this if anyone wants. Will just take me some time to collect all my data.
To the limits of not be a Dev nor a coder I believe the issue is with how the phone handles frequency changes based on signal strength or data. There must be a code or script that tells the phone to switch to a lower band if the primary band is below a certain strength. If there is it can be changed to allow the band to be switched more effectively automatically if any of the Lowe bands exceed the primary bands signal strength beyond a certain tolerance. Thus insuring a constant signal strenght between all 3 bands that can be used automatically. The function is allready there and in use but it needs to be found and hacked.
This is where the Devs we rely on come in. The above is all theory and is the limit of my knowlage of how it works. Its the Devs that can take this idea and realise it. I am fairly sure this is the direct cause for the majority of our in call problems. I would be more than happy to vigorously test this and offer full reports if given the chance. If I'm wrong and I'm barking up the wrong tree here let me know please. I want to help but I really don't want to lead anyone the wrong way.
Thanks
[BUMP]
Developers (you know who you are) . Trying my best to help on this but it needs to be confirmed at minimum. Really need someone with more knowlage on this.
Thanks in advance oh wise and powerful developers. Consider your posteriors kissed. Lol
Thanks for taking the initiative on this. I have a couple questions:
How did you collect your data? (Not looking for a detailed answer, just a quick rundown)
Did you use a control?
So, im a little confused on what your looking for exactly. Are you asking if there is a way to hot switch the base bands on the fly automatically when signal strength is low?
I am interested to see what you have, but want to fully understand what your looking for.
Colbur
The majority of my data is notes. As a control I used the stock baseband, stock rom. Completely cleaned the phone of any app and used it solely for phone called during the day. I noted the signal strength changes when traveling in and out of various coverage zones. 2g 3g 4g . Made note of how long it took to change then moved again. Seemed very erratic in how the phone decides what signal to use. Couldn't seem to understand why in some cases it would stay on a 4g band when a 3g was twice as strong in the dame spot.
So after changing roms and apn's I cunducted the same experiment with the same average results. Used the same rout and time in stops.
Changed baseband same rom. Same experiment. Got the same average.
Changed baseband and rom again. Again same results.
I think the problem is how the phone decides what band is best at any given time. If its set to pic a band with a higher data rate then it would stick on 4g even though a 3g signal is much stronger. How often it changes is also an issue. Polling to often will drain the battery and depending on how the variables are set it will swing rapidly across bands while in use. It would be great to crack open the files that decides this so we can tweek it to fit our geographic location better.
An update
This specific behavior is in direct relation to the Baseband. While the APN is dealing with credentials the baseband in our case determines the hand shake and frequency from quadrant to quadrant when rolling past towers .
The other eminent and probably the most important is the refresh rate of the network. The more frequent its set to refresh the more it uses battery . If its set to low then you loose signal more often.
Cab121 said:
An update
This specific behavior is in direct relation to the Baseband. While the APN is dealing with credentials the baseband in our case determines the hand shake and frequency from quadrant to quadrant when rolling past towers .
The other eminent and probably the most important is the refresh rate of the network. The more frequent its set to refresh the more it uses battery . If its set to low then you loose signal more often.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm assuming that this is going to be for a particular region as where I am, I never have experienced the issues with the phone as others have.
Detailing your region and the exact method you used to test this would be a good idea as well, that way others in different regions can test it out and see if they get the same results.
From what I notice on my phone (CM7.2+, v21E), when the signal strength goes below -110dB on 3G, it switches to 2G. My phone is the P920 so there's no 4G. I think using empirical data with hard numbers is better than using the number of bars as a gauge, since according to the P920 service manual:
In 3G
4 bars: over -88dBm +-2dBm
3-4 bars: -88dBm +-2dBm
2-3 bars: -96dBm +-2dBm
1-2 bars: -104dBm +-2dBm
0-1 bar: 110dBm +-2dBm (at this point it switches to 2G mode automatically)
In 2G
4 bars: over -91dBm +-2dBm
3-4 bars: -91dBm +-2dBm
2-3 bars: -99dBm +-2dBm
1-2 bars: -103dBm +-2dBm
0-1 bar: -105dBm +-2dBm
As seen from the above, there's a pretty large range between each bar of signal so numbers are better I think. Furthermore when you factor in the fact that dBm is calculated in logarithmic form, an increase of -10dBm (-80dBm --> -90dBm) would mean a 10000 fold decrease in performance.
This is fantastic data and a great post. What are you using to log your signal data?
Been using a few maps but I'm uncertain of there accuracy .
The LG stock rom only allows you to use the bars as a gauge of your signal strength. I'm using CM atm, it allows you to display your signal strength in dBm instead which is very helpful for things like this.
i recently unlocked, rooted and s-off my htc one, on stock i used to get around 5/4 signal bars and now i only get two/three.
im currently running trickdroid 7.5 rom 4.2.2.
so im looking for a radio which would work for orange/EE in the UK.
please can someone help, or point me into the right direction
this is the one for the 4.2.2 firmware
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=42139108&postcount=18404
Are you sure that it is not the same level? Don't be fooled by the bar looking different, remember that it might show 2 bars of LTE but that could still be better than 5 bars of H+ (as an example).
So if you used to get 5 bars of 3G but your now getting 2 bars of H or H+ then you are better off even though its less bars.
Please do not take this as me treating you as if you are stupid, I am not, I have come across a lot of people recently who thought the same, and it turned out to just be a different type of signal.
fixed
okk i just flashed 1.29.401.12 Radio and it's back to normal.
i found it here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2245615
Lennyuk said:
Are you sure that it is not the same level? Don't be fooled by the bar looking different, remember that it might show 2 bars of LTE but that could still be better than 5 bars of H+ (as an example).
So if you used to get 5 bars of 3G but your now getting 2 bars of H or H+ then you are better off even though its less bars.
Please do not take this as me treating you as if you are stupid, I am not, I have come across a lot of people recently who thought the same, and it turned out to just be a different type of signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the input but!
i never said i was using my data connection,
Same principle applies even with data off.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Lennyuk said:
Are you sure that it is not the same level? Don't be fooled by the bar looking different, remember that it might show 2 bars of LTE but that could still be better than 5 bars of H+ (as an example).
So if you used to get 5 bars of 3G but your now getting 2 bars of H or H+ then you are better off even though its less bars.
Please do not take this as me treating you as if you are stupid, I am not, I have come across a lot of people recently who thought the same, and it turned out to just be a different type of signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I have 5 bars when set to "GSM" only but 2-3 when set to "GSM/CDMA" .. that's as good?
I'm being serious btw, I normally set mine to just GSM as I seemed to have more signal but if there isn't any point then I won't bother lol ..I'm in the UK btw and on a network that doesn't support LTE (I think)
AllAboutTheCore said:
So if I have 5 bars when set to "GSM" only but 2-3 when set to "GSM/CDMA" .. that's as good?
I'm being serious btw, I normally set mine to just GSM as I seemed to have more signal but if there isn't any point then I won't bother lol ..I'm in the UK btw and on a network that doesn't support LTE (I think)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can confirm the 'type' of signal you are getting at any time in the menu > settings > about part of the phone.
Your phone will automatically switch to whatever the best signal is available at any time, you don't really need to change your GSM/WCDMA settings, unless you really want to force it away from 3G connections (again this does not mean you have to have data turned on).
Cool, I'm not too fussed about what data type it uses as I rarely have data turned on, I just naturally assumed that by switching it from GSM'CDMA Auto to just GSM, meant that I'd have better reception, being that the signal bars went from 2/5 to 5/5 ... You learn something new everyday lol
EDIT: I checked my signal, and I mean my reception, not the data connection type, when switched between GSM/WCDMA Auto and GSM Only and there is a huge difference. I found this guide:
dB Signal - A basic guide
-50 to -60 (very strong, near a cell tower)
-60 to -70 (extremely good, rare)
-80 to -85 (normal downtown)
-90 to -95 (getting on the weak side)
-95 to -98 (weak, dropping calls)
-98 to -100 (bad, hard to stay connected)
-100+ (basically no usable signal)
When I set my phone to GSM Only I hover around -70, which is good, when I switch to GSM/WCDMA Auto it is a different story. I know it changes and finds the best signal, which I might add drains more battery on an already power hungry beast, but I was hovering at -100 which is terrible and often calls were dropping or people were saying it was engaged when infact I hadn't used it.
It's clear to me that in my case, GSM Only is the far better option if I actually want to use my phone to make calls ... Data speeds I'm not arsed about so EDGE is just fine with me.
I have noticed that with 5.1 while I normally got just 1-2 bars at home of signal I am now getting 3-4 and better speeds. At first I thought I was now getting Band 12(tmobile) but LTE Discovery says that I'm still on Band 4.
Anyone else seeing this?
knitler said:
I have noticed that with 5.1 while I normally got just 1-2 bars at home of signal I am now getting 3-4 and better speeds. At first I thought I was now getting Band 12(tmobile) but LTE Discovery says that I'm still on Band 4.
Anyone else seeing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I am in a very weak signal area, I am definitely getting a better LTE signal. But voice/calling (GSM) is worse on AT&T. Where I could make a call previously, on a very weak signal, now I get nothing.
Just finished flashing 5.1 and setting it up - and I'm definitely getting higher single indicators for LTE now (T-mobile Band 4) - I rarely used to get 1 bar in my house, but now it constantly shows 2-3 bars. Whether the coverage is actually improved is yet to be determined...
5.1 is definitely giving me a better radio signal in my house as I usually only had 0 to 1 bars. Now i'm getting 3 to 4 bars and my messages are sending without without delay now. I'm on AT&t.
@OP
Not for me!
Disconnecting
I'm getting better "signal" on 5.1 (more bars) However my lte speeds are horrible now Was 15-20 mbps and now its consistently 3-5 mbps on Tmobile.
Indicators can be changed to always look good. Actual signal probably didn't change.
mzrdisi said:
Indicators can be changed to always look good. Actual signal probably didn't change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
Its showing 3-4 bars of LTE in my house now, where before lucky to have 1.
But dbms are literally the same for me at least.
At work, inside thick concrete walls, inside of more thick concrete walls...I used to be able to keep a solid 4G signal. Now it barely keeps connected, and when it does it never goes off of EDGE. I'm on TMO btw.
I think I'll be switching back to the last radio. Not impressed with this new one from the 5.1 update.
Another thought is the transition from LTE to HSPA might be improved. I wasn't able to make a phone call in my basement at my desk. Now after the 5.1 update I was able to call and hold a conversation in the same spot.
SuperMan(Alex) said:
@OP
Not for me!
Disconnecting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same for me. Signal is worse, drops down to edge.
updated mine yesterday. i had 0-1 bars, now i have 3-4 in my home
SuperMan(Alex) said:
@OP
Not for me!
Disconnecting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me Too
The 47E radio is the best radio so far (for me at least).
Like the title says, I'm looking for a solution on the Nexus 6 to get rid of the useless signal bars and have signal strength in dbm. Sadly I can't seem to find any solutions for this.
AOKP stopped developing and they are the only mainstream rom that ever had signal strength in dbm and displayed the signal type as well.
Cyanogenmod had dbm in the past but it never displayed 2g, 3g, or LTE/4g so you never knew what you were on, and they dropped that in Lollipop anyway.
Xblast Tools had this feature, but it never seemed to work on any KitKat roms right, I know I had it on some roms working at some point, but whenever dbm went weaker than -115 dbm it would display 0 or some weird number depending on the rom, so it didn't really work so well.
If anyone has any ideas, I'm open to suggestions, at this point I think editing the systemui.apk might be my only option since no one seems to have anything developed, but I wouldn't even know where to begin there.
I don't suppose anyone is working on this as a feature for an xposed module? It's the one thing I've felt gravity box was really missing.
I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure cataclysm rom has it
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
You can install the SignalCheck Pro app. It shows dBm as well as cellular band in a small icon in the notifications bar.
Kroniq said:
I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure cataclysm rom has it
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately Cataclysm on 6.0 on the Nexus 6 doesn't seem to. I checked a video that goes through settings and their thread and I think when I had a nexus 6 a bit over a month ago, I tried that one and it didn't have that feature. Thanks for the suggestion though.
boomerbubba said:
You can install the SignalCheck Pro app. It shows dBm as well as cellular band in a small icon in the notifications bar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know but then I always have a notification, it displays this squished text, and I still have signal bars, plus I have no way of knowing if the app is draining battery running all the time checking the current signal strength. I really just want to replace the signal bars the way I was able to do in every version of android until kitkat/lollipop when the feature started to disappear.
Maybe I'm wrong but I thought pure nexus had something like that. It's listed as network traffic meter options on the OP thread
Have you tried this? Quick glance at the thread looks like mixed results, but some Nexus devices and someone said it works on MM. But perhaps it works?
Ditto
Started looking for the same today as the cell and wifi icons are terrible. I'd even be happy without the signal strength text and to just have some bars and get rid of that triangle. I came from a note 3 and it at least had bars in the triangle instead of a solid block with like 3 levels of fill for the strength.