Morrisville Wireless Telecommunication Facilities Master Plan - 2013

Wireless Telecommunication Facilities Master Plan - Town of Morrisville, NC – Adopted July 23, 2013

Signal strength The theoretical maps to this point in the master plan illustrate general coverage area from identified sites. Propagation mapping is a process that illustrates the level of coverage from an individual antenna site. Signal strength, in this application, is a term used to describe the level of operability of a wireless phone. The stronger the signal between the elevated antenna and the wireless phone, the more likely the wireless phone and all the built-in features will work. A reduced signal decreases the opportunity for satisfactory service caused by dropped calls or failed calls on the wireless device. Distance between the wireless phone and the elevated antennas, in addition to existing obstructions such as topography, buildings, and the physical location of the person using the handset (indoors or outdoors) are variables that affect signal strength. The level of propagation signal strength is shown through the gradation of colors from yellow to blue. The geographic areas in yellow identify superior signal strength; green equates to areas with average signal strength; shades of blue symbolize acceptable signal strength; and gray shades show marginal or no signal strength. Generally, the closer the proximity to the antenna, the brighter shades of yellow within the geographic service area; which means the better quality of wireless service between the elevated antenna and the wireless handset. As distance increases between the handset and the antenna the green, blue, and gray shades appear indicating geographic service areas with average, acceptable, and no signal strength, respectively. Table 4 below provides further explanation of the color coding relative to propagation signals.

Signal Strength Color

Signal Strength Title

Signal Strength Description

Signal strength strong enough to receive signal in many buildings Signal strength strong enough to receive signal in a car, but not inside most buildings Signal strength strong enough to receive signal outside for many handsets, but no expectation of receiving a signal in a car or building

Yellow

Superior

Green

Average

Blue

Acceptable

Gray

No Service

Signal strength is marginal or no service

Table 4: Signal strength

Using the same random antenna locations identified in Figure 1 and Figure 2 Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the various levels of signal coverage from the theoretical antenna locations including terrain, network capacity and environmental variables. The areas in yellow identify geographic areas with superior signal strength; green equates to areas with average signal strength; shades of blue symbolize acceptable signal strength; and gray shades show marginal or no signal strength. While the industry standards identify green and blue shades as “average” and “acceptable” coverage; customers tend to indicate otherwise. Most early twenty-first century wireless subscribers are demanding superior signal strength (yellow) in their residences, schools, offices, and places frequented for shopping and entertainment. As consumers continue the trend of

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