Processor controlled variable gain cellular network amplifier

A network amplifier, comprising:

• an antenna for receiving a downlink signal from a base station;
• a communication device for receiving an uplink signal from a handset;
• a first variable gain module connected with the communication device, wherein the first variable gain module applies a first amplification factor to the uplink signal to generate an adjusted uplink signal, the adjusted uplink signal transmitted to the base station via the antenna;
• a second variable gain module connected to the antenna, wherein the second gain module applies a second amplification factor to the downlink signal to generate an adjusted downlink signal, the adjusted downlink signal communicated to the handset via the communication device;
• a first detector that receives the downlink signal from the antenna and determines a level of the downlink signal;
• a processor for executing computer-readable instructions;
• and
• one or more computer-readable media having stored thereon the computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine a value of the first amplification factor, the value being a function of the level of the downlink signal, and being selected so that the adjusted uplink signal is transmitted with sufficient power to reach the base station.

In a network amplifier, one or more computer readable media having stored thereon computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, can cause the network amplifier to perform a method for variably amplifying a cellular signal, the method comprising:

• receiving a downlink signal from a base station via a first antenna;
• receiving an uplink signal from a handset via a second antenna;
• analyzing properties of at least one of the downlink and uplink signals to determine a required signal level at which a signal is to be transmitted by a network amplifier in order to reach the base station;
• determining an amplification factor such that when the amplification factor is applied to the uplink signal, an amplified uplink signal results that satisfies the required signal level;
• applying the amplification factor to the uplink signal to generate the amplified uplink signal;
• and
• transmitting the amplified uplink signal to the base station via the first antenna.