RF repeaters for time division duplex cordless telephone systems

An RF repeater for interfacing with a base station for exchanging transmit signals from the base station and receive signals from a cordless handset in a time division duplex cordless telephone system, said RF repeater comprising:

• first signal exchange means for exchanging the transmit and receive signals with said base station;
• second signal exchange means for exchanging the transmit and receive signals with said cordless handset;
• a multicarrier amplifier having an input and an output;
• switch means connected to said amplifier output, said amplifier input and said first and second signal exchange means and having first and second states;
• said switch means connecting said second signal exchange means to said amplifier input and said amplifier output to said first signal exchange means in said first switch state;
• said switch means connecting said first signal exchange means to said amplifier input and said amplifier output to said second signal exchange means in said second state;
• means for controlling the operation of said switch means so that the transmit and receive signals are alternately amplified by said amplifier;
• and
• a signal detector responsive to the receive signal passing through said amplifier and controlling said switch means so as to squelch the receive signal when the receive signal power is below a predetermined value;
• said signal detector comprising means for comparing the receive signal and noise from a known noise source to provide a comparison signal for controlling said switch means.