What Is a Repeater?

Repeaters can be used in many different settings--from a network that has to cover a large college campus to radio broadcasts that must cover hundreds of miles--and for many different kinds of signals. Installing repeaters can be much more cost effective than attempting to build an entire network over a huge amount of ground.

Function

A repeater operates at the physical layer of the Open Systems Interconnection Basic Reference Model, as it works on a physical medium rather than with a software program or network protocol. Repeaters take signals such as an Internet connection, radio communication or mobile phone calls and extend their range by preventing degradation and filtering out electrical noise that will interfere with the propagation of the signal.

Features

Repeaters overcome blocked lines of sight, difficult terrain and long-distance issues. The repeater is placed near the edge of the signal's normal range, captures it and then sends it on again. Repeaters can also be used in situations in which geography would normally prevent extending a signal by converting the signal into a microwave and then bouncing it off a relay onto other repeaters, or even a satellite.

Types

There's a huge array of repeaters, and each is meant for a different type of signal with a different range. The most commonly used repeaters are for networks of computers, to share an Internet connection or send files to and from one another. Repeaters are available in wired versions that connect to Ethernet cables or wireless versions that capture signals over the air. Wired repeaters are also distinguished by the number of ports. Repeaters with multiple ports for a larger number of connections are referred to as hubs.

Considerations

Lower-end repeaters that are intended for computer networks can only be used a small number of times before the signal can no longer be extended without a serious loss of quality. Digital signal repeaters have an average signal strength of 9,000 feet; analog signal repeaters have an average signal strength of 30,000 feet.

Benefits

Repeaters can be chained together to vastly extend a signal across continents and even oceans. Repeaters are frequently placed in submarines to reduce the loss of signals sent underwater, as a medium other than regular air degrades any signal much more quickly.

Resources

• Buy Repeaters at Biz Rate