GSM Repeater what and How to Use

Repeater units are designed to receive signals from a donor site, amplify and rebroadcast the
donor sites signals into poor coverage areas or to extend the coverage range of the donor site.

Repeater :
These repeaters are bi-directional and do not translate frequency and subsequently are
limited in output power and gain.
Repeaters provide between 50 to 80 dB of gain.
There are two types of repeater band selective and channel selective.
Band selective repeater amplifies a band of frequency. Hence it amplifies any
frequency that falls within its band.
Channel selective repeater allows selection of a number of individual channels to
amplify and rebroadcast.
Typically a channel selective repeater allows selection of 2 to 4 channels.
If the GSM900 or DCS1800 network incorporates frequency hopping, then only band
selective repeaters should be used.
Since repeaters are non-frequency translating, the isolation between the donor-side
and mobile-side antenna needs to be much greater than the gain of the repeater.
If antenna isolation is less than or equal to the repeater gain, the repeater will begin to
amplify its own feedback and oscillate. This condition must be avoided.
The isolation between the antennas needs to be at least 10 dB greater than the gain of
the repeater.
o I
so
= G
rep
+ 10dB
Following equation can be used to calculate antenna isolation
o Vertical separation I
so
= 28 + 40log( d / l )
o Horizontal separation I
so
= 22 + 20log( d / l ) (G
A
+ G
B
)
o where d = Separation distance(feet)
o l = Wavelength
o G
A
= Gain of donor-side antenna in direction of Mobile side antenna.
o G
B
= Gain of mobile-side antenna in direction of donor- side antenna.
Separation type is based on site type. If the site is a roof, then horizontal separation
should be used while if the site is on a tower vertical separation should be used.
If directional antennas are used then the required horizontal spacing is given by
o I
so
= 22 + 20log( d / l ) (G
amax
G
aback
) (G
bmax
G
bback
)
o and
o I
so
= G
rep
+ 10dB
o If gain of the directional antenna is 17dBi and front-to-back >25dB and the
repeater( gain of 80dB) is used on GSM900 then
o 80 + 10 = 22 + 20log(d/1) (17-25) (17-25)
o 90 = 22 +20log(d) + 8 + 8
o 22+20log(d) = 74
o 20log(d) = 52
o log(d) = 2.6
o d = 398 feet
Hence a horizontal separation of 398 feet is required to provide a isolation of 90dB
between the donor-side and the mobile-side antenna which is quite unreasonable.
Large antenna separation produces large cable losses and reduces repeater output
power.
Some obstruction should be in between both the antennas to reduce this separation.
If vertical spacing is given by
o I
so
= 28 + 40log( d / l )
o and
o I
so
= G
rep
+ 10dB
o if the repeater is used on GSM900 then
o 80 + 10 = 28 + 40log(d/1)
o 90 = 28 + 40log(d)
o 40log(d) = 62
o d = 35.48 feet