ichnaea.models.cell

Cell Networks

As part of the public API and the internal models, we define unique keys and additional data for each cell network. Depending on the cell radio network type, these records contain different information.

The classification of radio types is based on the Android TelephonyManager constants. A similar classification exists for Firefox OS devices with the MozMobileConnectionInfo API.

GSM

If the network is either GSM or any high-data-rate variant of it, the radio type should be specified as gsm. This includes GSM, EDGE and GPRS.

Example:

{
    "radio": "gsm",
    "mcc": 123,
    "mnc": 123,
    "lac": 12345,
    "cid": 12345,
    "signal": -61,
    "asu": 26,
    "ta": 10
}
radio (required)
The string gsm.
mcc (required)
The mobile country code. An integer in the range of 1 to 999.
mnc (required)
The mobile network code. An integer in the range of 0 to 999.
lac (required)
The location area code. An integer in the range of 1 to 65533. According to TS 24.008 10.5.3 both 0 and 65534 are reserved values indicating a deleted state.
cid (required)
The cell id. An integer in the range of 1 to 65535.
signal
The received signal strength (RSSI) in dBm, typically in the range of -51 to -113 (optional).
asu
The arbitrary strength unit. An integer in the range of 0 to 31 (optional). Unknown values can be marked with a value of 99. The formula: RSSI [dBm] = (2x ASU) – 113.
ta
The timing advance. An integer in the range of 0 to 63 (optional).

WCDMA

If the network is either WCDMA or any high-data-rate variant of it, the radio field should be specified as wcdma. This includes UMTS, HSPA, HSDPA, HSPA+ and HSUPA.

Example:

{
    "radio": "umts",
    "mcc": 123,
    "mnc": 123,
    "lac": 12345,
    "cid": 123456789,
    "psc": 123,
    "signal": -68,
    "asu": 48
}
radio (required)
The string wcdma.
mcc (required)
The mobile country code. An integer in the range of 1 to 999.
mnc (required)
The mobile network code. An integer in the range of 0 to 999.
lac (required)
The location area code. An integer in the range of 1 to 65533. According to TS 24.008 10.5.3 both 0 and 65534 are reserved values indicating a deleted state.
cid (required)
The cell id. An integer in the range of 1 to 268435455.
psc
The primary scrambling code as an integer in the range of 0 to 511 (optional).
signal
The received signal code power (RSCP) in dBm, typically in the range of -25 to -121 (optional).
asu
The arbitrary strength unit. An integer in the range of -5 to 91 (optional). Unknown values can be marked with a value of 255. The formula: RSCP [dBm] = ASU - 116.

A special case exists for WCDMA cells, to send data about neighboring cells. For these it is acceptable to omit the lac and cid fields if at the same time a valid psc field is submitted.

LTE

Example:

{
    "radio": "lte",
    "mcc": 123,
    "mnc": 123,
    "lac": 12345,
    "cid": 12345,
    "psc": 123,
    "signal": -69,
    "asu": 71,
    "ta": 10
}
radio (required)
The string lte.
mcc (required)
The mobile country code. An integer in the range of 1 to 999.
mnc (required)
The mobile network code. An integer in the range of 0 to 999.
lac (required)
The tracking area code. An integer in the range of 1 to 65533. According to TS 24.301 9.9.3.32 both 0 and 65534 are reserved values indicating a deleted state.
cid (required)
The cell identity. An integer in the range of 1 to 268435455.
psc
The physical cell id as an integer in the range of 0 to 503 (optional).
signal
The received signal strength (RSRP) in dBm, typically in the range of -43 to -140 (optional).
asu
The arbitrary strength unit. An integer in the range of 0 to 97 (optional). The formula: RSRP [dBm] = ASU – 140.
ta
The timing advance. An integer in the range of 0 to 63 (optional).

A special case exists for LTE cells, to send data about neighboring cells. For these it is acceptable to omit the lac and cid fields if at the same time a valid psc field is submitted.

CDMA

We classify CDMA networks and their EVDO variants as cdma. This includes 1xRTT, CDMA, eHRPD, EVDO_0, EVDO_A, EVDO_B, IS95A and IS95B.

Note

Since CDMA networks are rare and only available in a minority of regions, this project does not support them.