RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) is a measurement of the quality of the received reference signal in 4G LTE and 5G NR networks, expressed in dB. It combines RSRP and RSSI to indicate signal quality relative to noise and interference, used for cell reselection and handover decisions.
What is RSRQ?
Reference Signal Received Quality: the indicator that reveals signal quality relative to interference in mobile networks.
Detailed explanation
RSRQ provides a quality metric that RSRP alone cannot offer. While RSRP indicates absolute signal strength, RSRQ reflects the proportion of useful signal within the total received power. A cell may provide strong RSRP but poor RSRQ if the environment is heavily loaded or subject to interference from neighbouring cells.
The formula for RSRQ is: RSRQ = N x RSRP / RSSI, where N is the number of Resource Blocks of the measurement bandwidth. In logarithmic form: RSRQ (dB) = 10 x log10(N) + RSRP (dBm) - RSSI (dBm). Since RSSI includes all power sources (useful signal, interference, noise), a lower RSRQ indicates a higher proportion of interference.
RSRQ plays a critical role in mobility management. The network uses RSRQ thresholds alongside RSRP for cell reselection in idle mode and handover decisions in connected mode. In scenarios where multiple cells provide similar RSRP levels, RSRQ becomes the discriminating factor for selecting the best serving cell.
The RSRQ range extends from -3 dB (best quality, minimal interference) to -19.5 dB (worst quality). In 5G NR, the measurement is extended to SSB-RSRQ, measured on Synchronization Signal Blocks, with a wider reporting range to accommodate the diverse deployment scenarios of 5G networks.
RSRQ reference thresholds
| Level | RSRQ (dB) | Field impact |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | ≥ -3 | Minimal interference, optimal quality |
| Good | -3 to -10 | Stable performance, normal usage |
| Fair | -10 to -15 | Noticeable interference, reduced quality |
| Poor | < -15 | High interference, degraded experience |
How HiCellTek measures RSRQ
The RF Monitor module in HiCellTek displays RSRQ in real time for serving and neighbouring cells. The measurement is correlated with RSRP and RSSI to provide a complete picture of signal quality versus interference. All values are GPS-geolocated and exportable in QMDL, Excel and CSV formats.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good RSRQ value in 4G LTE?
What is the difference between RSRP and RSRQ?
How is RSRQ calculated?
See also
HiCellTek measures RSRQ, RSRP, SINR and all radio KPIs directly on Android smartphones with GPS precision.