Multiple-port signal boosters
A system is disclosed that includes a first interface port, a second interface port, a signal splitter device, a main booster, and a front-end booster. The signal splitter device may include first, second, and third splitter ports. The signal splitter device may be configured such that a first direction signal received at either of the second and third splitter ports is output at the first splitter port and a second direction signal that is received at the first splitter port is output at each of the second and third splitter ports. The main booster may include main first and second direction amplification paths that are each communicatively coupled between the first splitter port and the first interface port. The front-end booster may include front-end first and second direction amplification paths that are each communicatively coupled between the second splitter port and the second interface port.
1. A signal booster, comprising:
a first front-end booster including:
a first signal power level detector configured to detect a first power level of a first signal; and
a first gain unit with a first adjustable gain configured to be applied to the first signal, the first adjustable gain adjusted based on the first power level;
a second front-end booster including:
a second signal power level detector configured to detect a second power level of a second signal; and
a second gain unit with a second adjustable gain configured to be applied to the second signal, the second adjustable gain adjusted based on the second power level;
a signal combiner device configured to:
receive the first signal after the application of the first adjustable gain;
receive the second signal after the application of the second adjustable gain; and
combine the first and second signals to form a third signal; and
a main booster including:
a third signal power level detector configured to detect a third power level ofthe third signal; and
a third gain unit with a third adjustable gain configured to be applied to the third signal, the third adjustable gain adjusted based on the third power level.
2. The signal booster of claim 1 , wherein the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal are downlink signals or uplink signals.
3. The signal booster of claim 1 , wherein the signal combiner device is an active or passive device and includes one or more of a signal splitter, a coupler, a tap, a resistive splitter, and a Wilkinson divider.
4. The signal booster of claim 1 , wherein the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal are uplink signals, wherein the signal combiner device is configured to split a fourth signal into a fifth signal and a sixth signal, the fourth signal, the fifth signal, and the sixth signal being downlink signals.
5. The signal booster of claim 1 , wherein each of the first gain unit, the second gain unit, and the third gain unit includes an amplifier chain that includes one or more amplifiers and a variable attenuator.
6. The signal booster of claim 1 , further comprising a control unit coupled to the first gain unit, the second gain unit, the first signal power level detector, and the second signal power level detector, the control unit configured to receive the first power level and the second power level and to adjust the first adjustable gain and the second adjustable gain.
7. The signal booster of claim 6 , wherein the control unit is configured to adjust the first adjustable gain and the second adjustable gain to cause the first power level and the second power level to be approximately equal.
8. The signal booster of claim 6 , wherein the control unit is configured to adjust the first adjustable gain and the second adjustable gain based on a signal loss of the signal combiner device.
9. A method, comprising:
detecting a first power level of a first signal;
adjusting a first adjustable gain based on the first power level;
applying the first adjustable gain to the first signal;
detecting a second power level of a second signal;
adjusting a second adjustable gain based on the second power level;
applying the second adjustable gain to the second signal;
after detecting the first power level, applying the first adjustable gain, detecting the second power level, and applying the second adjustable gain, combining the first and second signals into a third signal;
detecting a third power level of the third signal;
adjusting a third adjustable gain based on the third power level; and
applying the third adjustable gain to the third signal.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising comparing the first power level to the second power level, wherein the first adjustable gain is adjusted based on the comparison and the first power level and the second adjustable gain is adjusted based on the comparison and the second power level.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first and second adjustable gains are adjusted such that the first power level and the second power level are approximately equal.
12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising detecting an oscillation based on the first power level or the second power level.
13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising reducing the third adjustable gain based on a detected oscillation.