Reception effectiveness of 3G universal mobile telecommunication system

Mobile phones are wireless communication devices used by mobile users to communicate with each other by using cellular mobile telephone network. Nowadays, 3rd Generation (3G) technology have been widely adopted by telecommunication operators throughout the world. However, the 3G technology suffers several problems which need to be solved in order to give better quality of service to its users. Celcom Axiata Berhad has been selected for this project as it is the most popular telecommunication operator in Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia. This project carried out an investigation on 3G technology and next signal strengths were captured to study the fluctuation of power received at user equipment (UE) with variation of distance from Radio Base Station (RBS). Finally, an analysis was carried out based on collection of data and by using calculation. Spectrum analyzer (SA) was used as measuring equipment and Wide Antenna Base Station which used omni directional antenna to scan and detect the received signal. There were 12 selected places where measurement was done within four weeks period. In this project, the value of path propagation loss can be determined where places that received low signal strength by Celcom 3G can be identified and further action should be considered to improve the received signal quality. On the other hand, the best type of propagation model for Celcom 3G can be determined. Wrongly choose propagation model lead to the propagation signal from RBS not optimally received by the users. The Cost231- Walfisch/Ikegami was found to be a suitable propagation model for Celcom 3G at Batu Pahat Johor, Malaysia.