power reduction vs signal quality | Telit Cinterion IoT Developer Community
July 23, 2020 - 9:38am, 2374 views
Hi,
I'm using ELS61-E in solar powered machines that require the lowest energy setting.
Currently I'm using some setting to minimize the power consumption:
AT^SCFG="Radio/OutputPowerReduction", "4"
AT^SPOW=2,2000,30
However, in some areas with bad reception, we are considering the option of increasing the modem consumption (with some limitations) if that helps with the communications
These problematic areas show a really poor power signal , so I'm wondering whether some twaeks on the modem side might help.
My initial idea was changing the OutputPowerReduction to a lower value like 1-2
Any advice would be really welcome
Hello,
If you are using USB please also note that while a USB connection is active, the module will never switch into SLEEP mode only if the USB interface is suspended or detached.
Please check the current consumption ratings table in the hardware interface description document - radio access technology also has an influence on power consumption.
Regards,
Bartłomiej
Hi Bartłomiej,
I'm using serial only.
If OutputPowerReductionhas no influence on power consumption, what exactly is it used for?
BR
Toni
Hello,
I didn't write that OutputPowerReduction has no influence. I only wrote that radio access technology has also an influence, for instance 2G consumes less energy than 4G.
Regards,
Bartłomiej
Sorry Bartłomiej,
I think I didn't read your comment correctly
My question is, does decreasing OutputPowerReduction (thus increasing output power) help getting better signal?
Hello!
The output power reductuion setting will not give you any improvement in reception signal strengh. This parameter only control permissible nominal reduction of maximum output power, while transmitting on multiple uplink timeslots (and only in 2G). So improvment may be only noticible in the uplink performance. More than that, even if the output power reduction is enable, the module can still transmit with full power allowed by the BTS, when it is needed to keep connection stable.
The possible way to improve the reception signal level can be change or tune the antenna (with the matching circuit) for better performance in the affected band, but expexted gains can be in range of just single dBm's. Unfortunetly I don't think there is any way to improve reception level by changing any of the parameters by AT commands.
Best Regards