Definition

RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) is the power of the reference signal received by the mobile device (UE), measured in dBm. It is the primary coverage indicator in 4G LTE and 5G NR networks, used for cell selection, handover and radio link quality assessment.

Glossary

What is RSRP?

Q: What is a good RSRP value in 4G LTE?

A good RSRP in 4G LTE ranges between -80 and -90 dBm. Above -80 dBm the signal is excellent. Between -90 and -100 dBm it remains acceptable. Below -110 dBm the connection becomes unstable with a risk of dropped calls.

Q: What is the difference between RSRP and RSSI?

RSRP measures the power of the reference signal per Resource Element, while RSSI measures the total received power across the entire bandwidth including useful signal, interference and thermal noise. RSRP is a more precise indicator of cellular coverage.

Q: How can you improve a weak RSRP in the field?

To improve a weak RSRP, move closer to the cell tower, position yourself near a window indoors, check for obstacles between the device and the base station, or consider a signal repeater or Femtocell. A tool like HiCellTek allows you to map coverage areas and identify weak spots.

Reference Signal Received Power: the fundamental coverage indicator in 4G and 5G mobile networks.

Detailed explanation

RSRP represents the average power received on the Resource Elements carrying the cell-specific reference signals (CRS in LTE, SSB in 5G NR). Unlike RSSI which measures the total power across the entire bandwidth, RSRP isolates the useful signal component, making it a more reliable indicator of actual coverage.

In practice, the device (UE) continuously measures the RSRP of the serving cell and neighbouring cells. These measurements are used by the network to trigger handovers (A3 event), select the best cell and adapt mobility parameters. A low RSRP generally indicates distance from the antenna or the presence of significant obstacles.

The theoretical RSRP range extends from -44 dBm (maximum signal) to -140 dBm (sensitivity threshold). In 5G NR, RSRP is measured on SSBs (Synchronization Signal Blocks), enabling per-beam evaluation in multi-beam configurations. The term SSB-RSRP specifically designates this 5G measurement.

The relationship between RSRP and RSSI is defined by the formula: RSRP = RSSI - 10 x log10(12 x N_RB), where N_RB represents the number of Resource Blocks of the bandwidth. This relationship is particularly useful for converting between the two measurements during field diagnosis.

RSRP reference thresholds

Level	RSRP (dBm)	Field impact
Excellent	≥ -80	Maximum throughput, high modulations (256-QAM)
Good	-80 to -90	Stable performance, normal usage
Fair	-90 to -100	Reduced throughput, cell edge
Weak	-100 to -110	Risk of drops, high latency
Critical	< -110	Unstable or no connection

How HiCellTek measures RSRP

The RF Monitor module in HiCellTek displays RSRP in real time for serving and neighbouring cells across 2G to 5G technologies. Measurements are GPS-geolocated and exportable in QMDL, Excel and CSV formats for post-processing. In 5G NR, the module displays SSB-RSRP per beam, enabling detailed multi-beam coverage analysis.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good RSRP value in 4G LTE?

A good RSRP in 4G LTE ranges between -80 and -90 dBm. Above -80 dBm the signal is excellent. Between -90 and -100 dBm it remains acceptable. Below -110 dBm the connection becomes unstable with a risk of dropped calls.

What is the difference between RSRP and RSSI?

RSRP measures the power of the reference signal per Resource Element, while RSSI measures the total received power across the entire bandwidth including useful signal, interference and thermal noise. RSRP is a more precise indicator of cellular coverage.

How can you improve a weak RSRP in the field?