Coverage (telecommunication)
Encyclopedia
In telecommunications, the coverage of a radio station
is the geographic area where the station can communicate. Broadcasters
and telecommunications companies frequently produce coverage map
s to indicate to users the station's intended service area. Coverage depends on several factors, such as orography
(i.e. mountains) and buildings, technology and radio frequency. Some frequencies provide better regional coverage, while other frequencies penetrate better through obstacles, such as buildings in cities.
The ability of a mobile phone to connect to a base station
depends on the strength of the signal. That may be boosted by higher power transmissions, better antennae and taller antenna masts. Signals will also need to be boosted to pass through buildings, which is a particular problem designing networks for large metropolitan areas with modern skyscrapers. Signals also do not travel deep underground, so specialized transmission solutions are used to deliver mobile phone coverage into areas such as underground parking garages and subway trains.
It can be integrated in a mobile phone
also.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
is the geographic area where the station can communicate. Broadcasters
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
and telecommunications companies frequently produce coverage map
Coverage map
Coverage maps are designed to indicate the service areas of radiocommunication transmitting stations. Typically these may be produced for radio or television stations, for mobile telephone networks and for satellite networks. Such maps are alternatively known as propagation maps...
s to indicate to users the station's intended service area. Coverage depends on several factors, such as orography
Orography
Orography is the study of the formation and relief of mountains, and can more broadly include hills, and any part of a region's elevated terrain...
(i.e. mountains) and buildings, technology and radio frequency. Some frequencies provide better regional coverage, while other frequencies penetrate better through obstacles, such as buildings in cities.
The ability of a mobile phone to connect to a base station
Base station
The term base station can be used in the context of land surveying and wireless communications.- Land surveying :In the context of external land surveying, a base station is a GPS receiver at an accurately-known fixed location which is used to derive correction information for nearby portable GPS...
depends on the strength of the signal. That may be boosted by higher power transmissions, better antennae and taller antenna masts. Signals will also need to be boosted to pass through buildings, which is a particular problem designing networks for large metropolitan areas with modern skyscrapers. Signals also do not travel deep underground, so specialized transmission solutions are used to deliver mobile phone coverage into areas such as underground parking garages and subway trains.
Coverage noticer
A coverage noticer is a device that beeps (or vibrates) when in a zone that lacks coverage (white spot). This is fundamental for critical services (security, emergency and so on). When the user goes to a covered area, the noticer ceases beeping.It can be integrated in a mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
also.
See also
- FemtocellFemtocellIn telecommunications, a femtocell is a small cellular base station, typically designed for use in a home or small business. It connects to the service provider’s network via broadband ; current designs typically support 2 to 4 active mobile phones in a residential setting, and 8 to 16 active...
- Footprint (satellite)Footprint (satellite)The footprint of a communications satellite is the ground area that its transponders offer coverage, and determines the satellite dish diameter required to receive each transponder's signal...
- Indoor and outdoor
- Mobile phoneMobile phoneA mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
- Mobile computingMobile computingMobile computing is a form of human–computer interaction by which a computer is expected to be transported during normal usage. Mobile computing has three aspects: mobile communication, mobile hardware, and mobile software...
- RoamingRoamingIn wireless telecommunications, roaming is a general term referring to the extension of connectivity service in a location that is different from the home location where the service was registered. Roaming ensures that the wireless device is kept connected to the network, without losing the...
- Telecommunications networkTelecommunications networkA telecommunications network is a collection of terminals, links and nodes which connect together to enable telecommunication between users of the terminals. Networks may use circuit switching or message switching. Each terminal in the network must have a unique address so messages or connections...
- White spot
- WirelessWirelessWireless telecommunications is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not physically connected. Distances can be short, such as a few meters for television remote control, or as far as thousands or even millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications...