DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A GSM-BASED MULTI-PURPOSE MEASURING DEVICE FOR UHF SIGNAL STRENGTH LEVELS.

It has become common for many business entrepreneurs to move with two or three mobile phones at any particular time in Nigeria. The reason is usually anchored on the epileptic reception of the telecommunications networks and their desire to keep in touch with their businesses. This burden can be made lighter if signal strength levels of Telecommunications’ operators can be periodically measured and predicted without resorting to the Network operator; like weather forecasting. The design and construction of this GSMbased multi-purpose measuring device for Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) signal strength levels was conceived as a pilot project to monitor signal strength levels of operating networks in any particular area. This programmable electronic controller can also be used for plethora of applications such as controlling and tracking of household appliances. In this study, it was tailored to exploit measurements of UHF signal, with a view to determining the response time of signal strength levels of operating networks within a location. Results obtained from test measurements shows that there were severe delays in some locations at certain time; while it was almost impossible to establish good communication link at some areas. It was further noted that the switching ability of this device took 03 to 04 seconds after the instruction had been given in areas of strong mobile signal strength levels. It also took 12 to 14 seconds in areas of weak signal strength levels; and at times, failed to respond under fluctuating and weaker signal conditions.