Manufacturers produce various types of repeaters to improve mobile communications. As a rule, for each model, the manufacturer publishes detailed specifications, which are very easy to get confused about. So, the answer to how to get a better signal in school, hospital, or apartment does not seem so simple. This article will help you learn more about the features of different boosters to improve your mobile signal.
Wideband And Single-Band Boosters
Wideband boosters boost the entire frequency range of a specific communication standard. For example, a 2100 MHz amplifier supports frequencies of 1920–1980 MHz for transmission and 2110–2170 MHz for reception and works with all 3G networks of the UMTS-2100 standard, regardless of the operator. Most of the models on the market today are broadband.
In turn, single-band models amplify individual channels within the frequency range. Such repeaters can only improve the signal of certain mobile operators, for example, only Virgin or only Tesco. Nowadays, such amplifiers are quite rare on sale.
Another type of repeater is band selective. These devices support the entire frequency range of a particular communication standard but allow you to manually narrow the bandwidth to cut out unnecessary operators. Band selective repeaters are used to fine-tune the amplification system when it is necessary to avoid unwanted influence on the base station of a particular telecom operator.
Analog And Digital Boosters
The majority of repeaters are analog, they do not support remote control and are supplied without complex software. Changing any settings requires direct interaction with the device, which can be inconvenient when servicing a large number of objects.
These problems can be solved using special digital repeaters. Such devices are controlled using a connected computer or remotely via a local network. As a rule, digital models are band-selective: the user can set different gain levels for different channels within the same frequency range or completely turn off the frequency gain of individual operators. As we have already said, monitoring and programming are carried out completely remotely: to configure it, a specialist does not need to go to the site where such a device is installed.
Digital programmable repeaters are more expensive and belong to the class of professional equipment.
What Are Optical Repeaters?
While conventional repeaters work with RF signals transmitted over coaxial cables, optical models convert the input signal to transmit it over a fiber optic line. As a result, the length of the cable route between the receiving and distributing antennas can reach 20 km.
The optical repeater consists of two blocks: master unit and remote unit. The receiving antenna is connected to the main unit. The main unit converts the signal received from it and transmits it to the fiber optic cable. At the other end, the cable is connected to a second unit, which restores the signal and transmits it via an RF cable to the distribution antennas.
Optical boosters are professional equipment, most often used when the characteristics of the object require the separation of the receiving and distributing antennas over a very long distance.
Gain Level
Gain is measured in logarithmic units – decibels. This characteristic determines the degree of amplification of the original signal. The higher the gain, the weaker the signal the repeater can amplify to a satisfactory level. It should be taken into account that not only the useful signal is amplified, but also the interference. As a result, the amplification of a very weak noisy signal may not be justified.
As a rule, entry-level repeaters have a gain in the region of 60–65 dB. Such devices are installed in small rooms with a relatively good input signal. Amplifiers with a gain of 70–75 dB are used when the input signal is weak. They are suitable for covering large areas with communications. Finally, repeaters with a gain of 80–90 dB are industrial and are used with a very weak input signal and in huge areas.
Boosters With And Without Adjustment
The most primitive repeaters do not have adjustment tools and, when turned on, provide maximum signal amplification. But there are fewer and fewer such models on the market. In recent years, even cheap models have been equipped with automatic gain control. When an overload is detected, this subsystem independently reduces the gain by a certain number of decibels.
More efficient repeaters (with a gain of 70 dB and above) are equipped with manual adjustment. It allows the user to independently use switches or an LCD screen to reduce or increase the gain depending on the RF environment and current tasks.
Repeater Output Power
If you compare an amplifier to a pipeline, the power output is the diameter of the pipe from which the water flows. The larger the diameter, the more water the pipe can pass through per unit time. It’s the same with amplifiers: the maximum power determines how strong a signal can be sent to the output. The higher the output power, the larger the area the device can theoretically cover with a signal. A reading of up to 50 mW is considered low, a reading of 100–200 mW is considered medium, and a reading of 320-1000 mW is considered high.
However, one should not assume that high output power guarantees a large coverage area. The fact is that, as in a pipeline, in addition to the diameter of the pipe, the pressure is also important. In our analogy, water pressure is the strength of the output signal. It depends on two factors:
- On the strength of the input signal coming from the external antenna;
- From the repeater gain.
To utilize the full output power, the appropriate signal level must be generated by the amplifier. Therefore, most often in the range of repeaters, the output power increases in parallel with the gain. This is aimed at the optimal use of amplifier resources and providing maximum signal coverage.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a booster to get a better signal in an educational institution, apartment or office is an important step to ensure stable and high-quality communication in conditions where the operator’s standard coverage is insufficient. It is worth considering many parameters, including the technical characteristics of the booster, the place where the device is used, and the communication standard that needs to be strengthened. To install boosters, it is best to contact specialists. UCtel is a reliable British company that provides services to improve the mobile signal of popular mobile operators, including Three, Tesco, and Vodafone in offices, apartments, schools, warehouses, and other premises.
