Live Screen Tip

Signal Strength and Network Monitoring on the IoT Portal Live Screen

Today’s development adds clearer visibility of mobile signal strength and network behaviour directly inside the iot-portal.com Live Screen, helping installers, support teams and system owners understand how each device is communicating in the real world.

What we added

We have added signal strength and network logging to the Live Screen, allowing the portal to record and display useful mobile network information from connected IoT devices. This means that instead of simply knowing whether a device is online, we can start to build a clearer picture of the network conditions around that device.

The system can now associate signal readings with the mobile network being used at the time, including details such as the current operator and radio access technology where available. This is especially useful for 4G, LTE-M, NB-IoT and mobile-connected alarm, access control and automation systems.

To get the network and Radio Access Technology (RAT) history, click the signal strength reading bar chart. This bring up the chart. By clicking the cursor over the reading, the signal strength and network is revelaed.

Ideally, the signal stregnth should remain fairly constant. It should also stay on the same network. Constant network changes would indicate an underlying issue such as the signal from the device to the tower being poor - external aerials would help!

Networks recorded

Any network we have access to (e.g. Vodafone, EE, 3, O2 and overseas; 3 Ireland, Meteor, JT etc...) will be recorded but the most interesting thing will be the technology. 0-7 in the list are standard mobile phone technology. 8 and 9 are specific IoT bands rolled out with 5G:

Why signal strength logging matters

Mobile IoT devices are often installed in challenging locations such as plant rooms, gate posts, meter cupboards, basements, industrial units and remote sites. A device may appear to work during installation, but later suffer from poor signal, network changes, operator roaming issues or intermittent communication.

By logging signal strength over time, the Live Screen can help identify patterns such as:

• Weak or unstable signal levels
• Changes between mobile operators
• Differences between network technologies
• Communication issues caused by site conditions
• Potential SIM, antenna or placement problems

A better support tool for installers and customers

This update makes the IoT Portal Live Screen more useful as a diagnostic and support tool. When a customer reports an issue, the support team can review the signal and network history rather than relying only on a snapshot taken at the time of the call.

For installers, this also helps prove whether a device has been fitted in a suitable location. If the signal is marginal, the data can support decisions such as moving the antenna, changing the SIM network, improving the installation position or selecting a more suitable communication option.

Today's Device

Whilst all IoT-Portal Alarm Diallers and IoT Monitoring and Control Systems will be able to use the logging, today's demo was done on a DR5 SMS and email sender with auto-dialler.

DR5 Industrial Alarm Diallers are available here