Comparative Analysis of GSM Network and IS-95 CDMA Network Using Signal Strength

This paper discusses the technical differences between the world’s two biggest wireless networks – GSM and CDMA. The experiment was based on a rural area in Lagos state, Nigeria called Agbado. It focuses on the quantitative comparison between the GSM networks standard and CDMA networks standard. However, comparative analysis was made in endeavor to distinguish the signal capacities (strength and quality) of both network standards using TEMS investigation software. The main focus was how to exploit the capacity potential to achieve the system features required. The overall picture is that a very careful system design in ideal conditions is necessary to utilize the full potential of CDMA as well as GSM systems. For the purpose of this work our range was from -110 to -10 dBm for the received signal level (Rx Level) and (Rx Power) and then from -18 to 0 dBm for the received signal quality (Rx Quality). But for the Energy per chip to Interference energy ratio (Ec/Io) our range was from -24 to 0 dBm. It was ascertained that the GSM analysis done, offered more signal strength in the area investigated (Agbado) compared to its CDMA counterpart, which offered less signal strength in the same region of Lagos state. (