Many people have encountered a situation when mobile communication suddenly disappears. One of the main reasons for this is the impact of building materials on the passage of radio waves. The fact is that the power of the radio signal decreases when it passes through obstacles. Walls, ceilings, and glass can significantly worsen the quality of mobile communication and Wi-Fi. In this article, you will learn about which materials muffle the signal the most, as well as how to boost the phone signal in case of problems.
How Is Radio Signal Attenuation Measured?
Radio signal attenuation is usually measured in dB. This is a logarithmic value that simplifies mathematical operations in the analysis and calculations of amplification systems. Attenuation by 3 dB is equivalent to signal attenuation by 2 times (mW).
Factors that affect the quality of a mobile signal
The quality of a mobile signal can vary greatly depending on many factors. Among the negative factors, the following can be noted:
- Difficult terrain. In high-mountain areas, the terrain prevents the propagation of radio waves, which reduces the service radius of base stations, making it difficult to transmit voice and data services.
- Power outages. Frequent power outages in populated areas affect the operation of base stations, which leads to a load on stations located nearby and, as a result, to a failure of voice calls.
- Barriers in the form of solid metals: buildings, and mountains can cause interruptions in communication. A mobile signal is a radio frequency electromagnetic wave transmitted in coded form. When penetrating heavy barriers in the form of solid materials: cement, concrete, or wood, this wave quickly fades, which leads to an uneven load on base stations or no communication.
The Effect of Building Materials On Radio Permeability
The influence of building materials on radio transmittance varies depending on their physical and chemical properties, such as density, presence of metallic elements, and humidity. Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics that determine the degree of influence of a material on the attenuation of a mobile signal:
- Type of building material. Different building materials have different properties to radio waves. For example, drywall and plywood pass the signal relatively easily, creating minimal attenuation. Others, such as concrete and metal, can significantly weaken the signal. Metal structures, such as sandwich panels, almost completely block radio waves, turning buildings into a Faraday cage. In such conditions, the signal practically does not pass, which makes the use of voice communication and best mobile networks difficult.
- Thickness of the obstacle. The thicker the material the signal has to pass through, the greater the loss. For example, a standard plasterboard wall has less effect on the radio signal than a double brick wall. This factor is especially critical for high-frequency bands, such as 5 GHz for Wi-Fi.
- Signal frequency. Low frequencies, such as FM radio, penetrate walls and other obstacles better due to their longer wavelength. This explains why FM radio can work in basements and behind thick walls, where mobile communications and WiFi have problems. High-frequency signals have significantly worse penetrating ability. Even 3G/4G penetrates building walls differently, depending on the operating frequency.
- The influence of moisture and weather conditions. For example, wet brick or concrete weakens the radio signal much more than dry. This is especially true for the outer walls of buildings exposed to precipitation.
Different studies can show different attenuation values for the same materials. This is due to differences in testing methods and the specific types of materials used in the studies. For example, concrete can have different compositions and densities, which affects its permeability to radio waves.
How Different Building Materials Affect Mobile Signal Attenuation
Various building materials can affect radio frequency waves in different ways. Let’s consider the main materials and the degree of their influence:
- Simple glass has a minimal effect on the transmission of radio waves and reduces it by an average of no more than 0.5-3 dB. However, reinforcement, tinting or sun protection coating on glass seriously weakens the signal.
- Wood, plywood and plasterboard transmit radio waves quite well and can weaken them by a maximum of 3-6 dB, in rare cases – up to 10 dB. They do not lead to a critical deterioration in communication quality.
- Brick walls and masonry are a serious obstacle to radio waves, reducing the power of the radio signal by 15-20 dB. When using brick in combination with concrete, losses can increase significantly.
- Concrete and reinforced concrete walls are one of the most unfavourable materials for signal transmission. Concrete up to 100 mm reduces permeability to 25 dB, and at 200 mm – to 55 dB. Reinforced concrete structures have even worse attenuation rates, up to 63 dB.
- Metal cladding and sandwich panels almost completely block the radio signal. When passing through them, it can attenuate to 50-60 dB, making it impossible to use mobile communications.
How to Enhance a Phone Signal?
To overcome signal attenuation, you can use mobile signal boosters that transmit the signal from the street via cable, amplify it and transmit it to subscriber devices indoors. Such a mobile signal booster helps to bypass physical obstacles, improving the quality of the signal.
It works as follows:
- An external antenna is installed outside the building, mainly on a mast to receive a base station signal
- A booster amplifies a weak signal received by an external antenna and transmits it to internal antennas.
- The internal antenna distributes the signal inside the building, providing stable mobile communication.
Thus, boosters help to bypass obstacles, improving the quality of communication in rooms with poor reception. Using them, you can significantly improve the quality of communication in buildings with difficult conditions for the passage of radio waves.
Wrapping It Up
Mobile communications are an integral part of modern society, providing essential communication needs. However, physical barriers, especially building materials, significantly affect the quality of the signal and its penetration into buildings. To increase the telephone signal, you can use boosters. UCtel is a reliable company that provides services to improve the quality of the mobile signal of popular British operators at various sites.
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