Enhanced Signal Indicators for LSMP Devices
The latest firmware update (version 25) for LSMP-2103 devices, identifiable by a device ID prefix '22' (e.g., 220000), introduces new signal strength and quality indicators within the ZenConfig mobile app's status page. These enhancements aim to provide clearer insights into the communication performance of your LSMP devices.
New Signal Indicators:
- RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator): This metric displays the power level of the received signal, helping you understand the strength of the radio signal at the LSMP device. RSSI is measured in dBm and typically presents negative values. A value closer to 0, such as -40 dBm, signifies a stronger signal, while lower values like -100 dBm indicate a weaker signal.
- SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio): This value represents the quality of the signal by comparing the level of the desired signal to the level of background noise, measured in dB. SNR can be both positive and negative:
- Positive SNR values mean the desired signal is stronger than the noise, indicating good signal quality.
- Negative SNR values suggest the noise level is higher than the signal, potentially leading to poor communication quality.
Understanding Signal Metrics:
These indicators are derived from downlink messages, which are communications sent from the gateway to the LSMP device. It's important to note that these downlink signal metrics typically present higher values than uplink signals (messages sent from the LSMP device to the gateway) due to the difference in transmit power capabilities between the gateway and the device. Despite this difference, there is a correlation between uplink and downlink signals, allowing these new indicators to serve as a reliable gauge for assessing the overall signal environment at your installation site.
How to Access Signal Indicators:
To utilize these new features, please ensure that your LSMP device is running on firmware version 25 or later and that the ZenConfig mobile app is updated to the latest version to view these indicators. Additionally, uplink signal indicators, which provide insights into the messages sent from the LSMP device to the gateway, are available on the Zenseio Diagnostics Portal within the Device Details dashboard. This comprehensive access to both uplink and downlink signal metrics empowers you to better evaluate and optimize the signal conditions for your LSMP devices, ensuring efficient and reliable performance.
By accurately interpreting RSSI and SNR values, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the signal strength and quality affecting your LSMP devices. This knowledge is crucial for troubleshooting, optimizing device placement, and enhancing overall network performance.
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