Abstract: A wireless repeater includes a directional donor antenna and a display that can be used to indicate the downlink signal strength experienced by the wireless repeater. When placed in a signal strength test mode, the wireless repeater shuts down or attenuates the gain of the uplink channel to a nominal, sets the downlink gain a test value, determines the signal strength of the downlink channel, and displays an indication of the signal strength of the downlink channel. Alternatively, the wireless unit may display the downlink gain setting and the measured downlink signal strength at the same time to give the user a better understating of the operational conditions of the unit.

Abstract: A low-cost user portable signal enhancer unit for extending service coverage of wireless communications to a user in a desired area of limited coverage. The enhancement supports an increase of signal power levels to allow wireless communication usage in a location, such as a small office or home office environment where the original cellular signals are weak or unreliable. A base station signal is enhanced by a bi-directional amplifier device (BDA), which receives a base station signal, amplifies the signal power and retransmits the amplified signal in a first signal path to a user in close proximity. The bi-directional amplifier also receives a user signal, amplifies the signal power and retransmits the amplified signal to the base station in a second separate signal path. Dual polarized antennas can receive and transmit the respective signals at opposite polarizations to increase isolation of the signals.