Received Signal Strength Indication

The Receive Signal Strength Indicator ( RSSI) is an indicator for the received signal strength of wireless communication applications

Since the RSSI has no unit specified, the value must be interpreted depending on the particular application. There are various definitions, where a higher value represents a better reception even within the IEEE_802.11 standards. In measuring receivers the RSSI value can be output as an analog voltage to a separate connection for further processing. A device-dependent scale factor of the RSSI value can be expressed as a power level in the dimensionless unit dBm.

Use

This indicator is required of cellular phones, high-frequency modules, and other need of radio communication systems in order to find a usable channel for communication. If the signal strength, which is required for a successful communication is not reached on the currently used channel may be optionally changed using the RSSI value to a better channel. Usually allow current smartphones optionally sort the achievable Wi-Fi access points on the reception strength or alphabetical order.