Abstract: A system and method for amplifying cellular signals while maintaining the output power of the amplifier below a prescribed power limit. The network amplifier system may include a variable gain module having an input configured to receive an uplink signal from a handset and configured to apply an amplification factor to the uplink signal to generate an adjusted uplink signal. A detector is used for detecting a level of the uplink signal. A gain control module is configured to control the amplification factor in order to limit the output of the variable gain module to ensure that the level of the adjusted uplink signal does not exceed a predetermined limit. An antenna is coupled to the output of the variable gain module and is configured to transmit the adjusted uplink signal to a base station.

Abstract: A system and method for amplifying cellular signals and reducing interference introduced into a cellular network by the network amplifiers. The network amplifier includes an antenna configured to receive a downlink signal from a base station and a variable gain module for amplifying an uplink signal received from a handset. The variable gain module applies an amplification factor to the uplink signal to generate an adjusted uplink signal to be transmitted to the base station via the antenna. A processor is used for determining a value of the amplification factor, where the value of the amplification factor is a function of a level of the downlink signal. The amplification factor may be selected so that interference introduced into a cellular network by the transmission of the adjusted uplink signal is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: An amplification circuit that enables a network amplifier to amplify multiple mobile telephone signals transmitted at different frequencies. The amplification circuit includes a first diplexer which receives a first signal having a first frequency band and a second signal having a second frequency band. The first diplexer generates a combined signal containing both the first and the second signals. The combined signal is amplified by a single low noise amplifier to generate an amplified combined signal. A second diplexer receives the amplified combined signal and separates the amplified combined signal into a first amplified signal having the first frequency band and a second amplified signal having the second frequency band. The resultant signals can then be transmitted by the network amplifier to a target destination, such as a handset or base station.

Abstract: A system and method for optimal adjustment of gain of a network amplifier, and for substantially reducing oscillation produced by a network amplifier. The network amplifier includes first and second antennas for the transmission of signals between a handset and a base station. The signals are amplified by first and second variable gain modules by an amplification factor as determined by a control circuit. The control circuit determines the optimal value of the amplification factors by analyzing the signals. In the event that an oscillation is detected, the control circuit adjusts the amplification factors in a manner that substantially reduces the oscillation.

Abstract: A system and method for substantially reducing oscillation produced by a network amplifier. An exemplary method includes receiving a cellular signal at a first antenna of a network amplifier and applying a first amplification factor to the cellular signal. The resultant amplified cellular signal is transmitted to a target destination via a second antenna. A first signal level of the cellular signal is measured while the first amplification factor is being applied to the cellular signal. Then, a second amplification factor that is less than the first amplification factor is applied to the cellular signal, during which a second signal level of the cellular signal is measured. If the second signal level is significantly less than the first signal level, the first amplification factor is reduced by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An amplification circuit that enables a network amplifier to amplify multiple mobile telephone signals transmitted at different frequencies. The amplification circuit includes a first diplexer which receives a first signal having a first frequency band and a second signal having a second frequency band. The first diplexer generates a combined signal containing both the first and the second signals. The combined signal is amplified by a single low noise amplifier to generate an amplified combined signal. A second diplexer receives the amplified combined signal and separates the amplified combined signal into a first amplified signal having the first frequency band and a second amplified signal having the second frequency band. The resultant signals can then be transmitted by the network amplifier to a target destination, such as a handset or base station.

Abstract: A method and system for conserving power consumption within a network amplifier. The system includes a first communication device for receiving a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signal. The TDMA signal includes both broadcasting timeslots and non-broadcasting timeslots. A power amplifier amplifies the TDMA signal to generate an amplified TDMA signal. The TDMA signal is analyzed by a sensing circuit for detecting the presence of the broadcasting timeslots. The sensing circuit turns the power amplifier on during the broadcasting timeslots and off during the non-broadcasting timeslots so that the power amplifier only amplifies the TDMA signal during the broadcasting timeslots and does not amplify the TDMA signal during the non-broadcasting timeslots. The resultant amplified TDMA signal is then transmitted by a second communication device.

Abstract: A system and method for amplifying cellular signals while maintaining the output power of the amplifier below a prescribed power limit. The network amplifier system may include a variable gain module having an input configured to receive an uplink signal from a handset and configured to apply an amplification factor to the uplink signal to generate an adjusted uplink signal. A detector is used for detecting a level of the uplink signal. A gain control module is configured to control the amplification factor in order to limit the output of the variable gain module to ensure that the level of the adjusted uplink signal does not exceed a predetermined limit. An antenna is coupled to the output of the variable gain module and is configured to transmit the adjusted uplink signal to a base station.

Abstract: A system and method for amplifying cellular signals and reducing interference introduced into a cellular network by the network amplifiers. The network amplifier includes an antenna configured to receive a downlink signal from a base station and a variable gain module for amplifying an uplink signal received from a handset. The variable gain module applies an amplification factor to the uplink signal to generate an adjusted uplink signal to be transmitted to the base station via the antenna. A processor is used for determining a value of the amplification factor, where the value of the amplification factor is a function of a level of the downlink signal. The amplification factor may be selected so that interference introduced into a cellular network by the transmission of the adjusted uplink signal is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A system and method for substantially reducing oscillation produced by a network amplifier. An exemplary method includes receiving a cellular signal at a first antenna of a network amplifier and applying a first amplification factor to the cellular signal. The resultant amplified cellular signal is transmitted to a target destination via a second antenna. A first signal level of the cellular signal is measured while the first amplification factor is being applied to the cellular signal. Then, a second amplification factor that is less than the first amplification factor is applied to the cellular signal, during which a second signal level of the cellular signal is measured. If the second signal level is significantly less than the first signal level, the first amplification factor is reduced by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A system and method for optimal adjustment of gain of a network amplifier, and for substantially reducing oscillation produced by a network amplifier. The network amplifier includes first and second antennas for the transmission of signals between a handset and a base station. The signals are amplified by first and second variable gain modules by an amplification factor as determined by a control circuit. The control circuit determines the optimal value of the amplification factors by analyzing the signals. In the event that an oscillation is detected, the control circuit adjusts the amplification factors in a manner that substantially reduces the oscillation.

Abstract: An antenna minimizes radiation from the outer conductor (44) of a coaxial cable (40) that is coupled to the antenna by providing a balancing tab (90) that lies near the connection (72) of the cable outer conductor (44) to the antenna. One antenna includes a Yagi structure (12) constructed of a plate of metal that forms a long boom (20) and a plurality of directors (28) extending laterally across the boom, with an electrical coupling loop mounted at a rear region of the Yagi structure. The coupling loop includes a folded dipole in the form of a metal coupling plate that forms a loop (54) with a gap (70), the loop having a laterally elongated front loop end (60). The Yagi structure is formed with a balancing tab (90) that lies forward of the loop, that has a lateral length (D) less than half that of one of the directors, and that extends from only one side (22) of the boom which is the side to which the outer coax conductor (44) is connected to the loop.

Abstract: Apparatus for boosting the signal between a cell phone (14) and a cell site (16), which includes an amplifier (64) that continually operates at a fixed gain. A power detector (72) controls an attenuator (62) that can be switched to pass the amplified signal through an attenuator (74) of moderate resistance, or through an attenuator (60) of zero resistance so the power output is boosted within the limits allowed under cell phone system standards.

Abstract: An antenna can efficiently radiate at both the lower cell phone frequency band of about 850 MHz and the higher cell phone frequency band of about 1920 MHz that are in current use. The antenna includes a vertical conductor with an upper portion (32) of a length that is about ½ wavelength at the lower frequency to effectively radiate at that frequency. An upper PRD (phase reversal device) (40) located along the upper conductor portion divides it into top and bottom parts (60, 70) each of about ½ wavelength at the higher frequency, the PRD providing a 180° phase reversal at the higher frequency without affecting the lower frequency. A lower conductor portion (34) includes a coil (80) that produces a phase reversal at the lower frequency, a lower PRD (82), and a short straight conductor part (84). A lower conductor part (90) extends through the lower PRD (82) and connects through a mount member (130) to a coaxial feed.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for transmitting signals between a cell phone (P), through a coaxial cable (16) through a window inner coupling (20) mounted on the inner side (I) of a window, to an outer coupling (22) on the outer side (O) of the window which connects to an antenna (24), which efficiently couples signals of both the lower cell phone frequency band of about 850 MHz and the high cell phone frequency band of about 1920 MHz that are in current use. The window coupling includes an electrically conductive inner plate (30) lying substantially facewise adjacent to the window and a conductive box device (40) lying around the inner face of the inner plate. The inner plate is of substantially rectangular shape, with a plurality of sides (111-114) extending in series around the inner plate.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for transmitting signals between a cell phone (P), through a coaxial cable (16) through a window inner coupling (20) mounted on the inner side (I) of a window, to an outer coupling (22) on the outer side (O) of the window which connects to an antenna (24), which efficiently couples signals of both the lower cell phone frequency band of about 850 MHz and the high cell phone frequency band of about 1920 MHz that are in current use. The window coupling includes an electrically conductive inner plate (30) lying substantially facewise adjacent to the window and a conductive box device (40) lying around the inner face of the inner plate. The inner plate is of substantially rectangular shape, with a plurality of sides (111-114) extending in series around the inner plate.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for coupling to a hand-held transceiver such as a cellular phone that is being operated in a radio frequency-shielded environment such as in an automobile, to transfer energy between the transceiver and an auxiliary antenna that is not shielded from the surroundings. The apparatus includes a pair of capacitor coupling elements (30, 32) that are positioned adjacent to each of the two radiating elements (40, 54) of the hand-held transceiver, and a coaxial cable (20) that connects the coupling elements to the auxiliary antenna. Each coupling element includes a sheet of electrically conductive material lying adjacent to a corresponding radiating element of the transceiver without surrounding the transceiver.