11/23/22, 11:44 AM What is SINR (Signal to Interference & Noise Ratio)?

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What is SINR?
SINR (Signal to Interference & Noise Ratio) measures signal quality: the strength of
the wanted signal compared to the unwanted interference and noise. Mobile
network operators seek to maximize SINR at all sites to deliver the best possible
customer experience, either by transmitting at a higher power, or by minimizing
the interference and noise.

In communications theory, the Shannon’s Limit is the theoretical maximum

bandwidth of a channel and is a function of the SINR. Thus, optimizing SINR leads
to more base station capacity, allows higher order QAM modulation (which are
more spectrally efficient), resulting in higher peak data rates, fewer dropped calls,
and ultimately improved customer satisfaction.

All types of interference are reflected in the SINR value. For specific types of
interference also see:

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Passive Intermod

Narrow/Wideband

Common Sources of
Interference and Noise
High traffic volume

High density of cell sites

Small cells and DAS

TV broadcast towers and CATV amplifiers

ICI (inter-cell interference) at the cell edge

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)

Other mobile operators and licensed users

Military communications

Why Optimize SINR?

Poor network quality is the second or third reason most cited by subscribers
when asked why they switched to another mobile network operator. While
different metrics are and can be used to indicate network quality, SINR is one of
the most fundamental and useful. Similar to how a person’s body weight is

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indicative of susceptibility to a wide range of health issues, SINR is an excellent

indicator of overall network health.

A healthy SINR is critical to maximizing data capacity and throughput. Even though
two subscribers may use the same amount of spectrum (i.e. the number of
OFDMA sub-carriers), their respective signal quality (SINR) determines their
throughput. This is because the higher the SINR, the higher the QAM modulation
that can be achieved, and hence the higher the data rate that the subscriber will
experience. In the lower frequency bands and for busy cell sites, a low SINR has
an outsized negative impact so SINR optimization is particularly important in these
cases.

Case Study
High Traffic Sites

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The Problem The Outcome

+17% Downlink traffic volume
A Tier 1 US mobile operator was
experiencing poor KPIs at busy sites +16% Downlink throughput
located near a major tourist
+53% Uplink traffic volume
attraction.

The Solution
+8% Uplink throughput

ISCO’s Link Conditioning was

+14% Average # of subscribers

deployed on 159 LTE sectors, with the

goal of a 10% improvement in KPIs.

Benefits of ISCO’s Link Conditioning®

Deliver more traffic
Improved throughput means a better customer experience. In addition when
adding a new RF carrier to upgrade capacity at a busy cell site is being
considered, the use of Link Conditioning to improve capacity can defer the
immediate need for an upgrade.

Better performance at the cell edge

The larger the overlap between two cells, the greater the possibility of Inter-
cell Interference (ICI). In urban areas with a high density of base stations, up
to 30% of a sector’s footprint may overlap with other sectors. In such cases
improving cell edge performance leads to a significant improvement overall.

Improved spectral efficiency

Wireless spectrum is a mobile network operator’s core asset and must be
managed carefully. This is particularly true for low and mid frequency bands,

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which are already crowded and will continue to be so despite the availability
of new spectrum from spectrum auctions.
How it Works
The Link Conditioning® algorithm analyzes each connection and MIMO path
independently, looking at the signal within each PRB to determine the types
of interference present in the uplink. This granular approach is combined with
macro level analysis across the band in order to apply the appropriate set of
SINR optimization techniques. The algorithm adapts automatically as RF
conditions change.

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Link Conditioning Resources

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Case Study Data Sheet

Maximizing Capacity and QoS Link Conditioning
Through SINR Optimization

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Want to learn more about
SINR Optimization?

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IL, 60173

630-283-3100

info@iscointl.com

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