# US 9,882,627 B2 · System for dynamically controlling the gain of a repeater > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,882,627 B2 - Document ID: US9882627B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/092,564 - Filed: 2016-04-06 - Published: 2016-10-06 - Granted: 2018-01-30 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-06 - Assignees: Nextivity, Inc. - Applicants: Nextivity, Inc. - Inventors: Ian Riphagen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9882627B2 ## CPC - H04B 7/15535: {Control of relay amplifier gain (amplifier gain control in general H03G3/00; gain control reducing self - or loop interference H04B7/15578)} - H04W 16/26: Cell enhancers {or enhancement}, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow - H04W 84/047: {using dedicated repeater stations} - Y02B 70/30: Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level - Y02D 30/70: in wireless communication networks - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE ## Abstract A repeater configured to dynamically affect the gain level of the repeater in response to the input signal power level over time. The repeater system includes a gain hold processor executing a gain hold algorithm. The gain hold algorithm preempts a large up-step in signal power level to follow a large down-step in signal power level. After a large up-step in input signal is detected, the system holds the gain level in response to a drop in input signal level after the large up-step. The gain is held at the level set by the large burst of input signal power to the repeater. In response to a larger up-step in signal power level, the system will lower the gain. In response to a large down-step in signal power after the larger up-step in signal power level, the system will hold the gain level of the repeater. During a prolonged low-power level or zero power signal at the input of the repeater, the system will slowly raise the gain level of the repeater over time. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of operating a cellular repeater having a variable-gain donor antenna adapted to communicate with a base station, and a server antenna adapted to communicate with a mobile device, the method comprising: receiving, at the cellular repeater, a signal, the signal having an input signal power level, the input signal power level dynamically changing; setting, at the cellular repeater, a gain of an amplifier to a predetermined first level, the amplifier configured to modify the input signal power level of the signal; detecting, at the cellular repeater, an increase in the input signal power level of the signal during receipt, at the cellular repeater, of a first data burst; dropping, at the cellular repeater and in response to the detecting, the gain of the amplifier from the predetermined first level to a second level less than the predetermined first level, the dropping of the gain of the amplifier being over one or more cycles of the signal; holding the gain of the amplifier at the second level until receipt of a second data burst having the input signal power level: and gradually increasing the gain of the amplifier from the second level to the predetermined first level in response to an expiration of a period of time during which no signal is received at the cellular repeater. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein a data burst is defined by a predetermined burst time period. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method in accordance with claim 2, further comprising holding the gain of the amplifier in response to an increase to the input signal power level taking longer than the predetermined burst time period. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second level is a predetermined level. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the predetermined second level is based on the input signal power level during a data burst. ### Claim 6 A system comprising: a cellular repeater having a variable-gain donor antenna adapted to communicate with a base station, and a server antenna adapted to communicate with a mobile device; at least one programmable processor; and a machine-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one programmable processor, cause the at least one programmable processor to operate the cellular repeater to at least: receive, at the cellular repeater, a signal having an input signal power level, the input signal power level dynamically changing; and set, at the cellular repeater, a gain at the variable-gain donor antenna to a predetermined first level, an amplifier configured to modify the first input signal power level of a first signal; detect, at the cellular repeater, an increase in the input signal power level of the signal during receipt of a first data burst; drop, at the cellular repeater and in response to the detection, gain of the amplifier from the predetermined first level to a second level less than the predetermined first level, the drop of the gain of the amplifier being over one or more cycles of the signal; hold the gain of the amplifier at the second level until receipt of a second data burst having the input signal power level; and gradually increase the gain of the amplifier from the second level to the predetermined first level in response to an expiration of period of time during which no signal is received at the cellular repeater. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system in accordance with claim 6, wherein a data burst is defined by a predetermined burst time period. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the cellular repeater is further configured to at least hold the gain of the amplifier in response to an increase to the input signal power level taking longer than the predetermined burst time period. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the second level is a predetermined level. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the predetermined second level is based on the input signal power level during a data burst. ### Claim 11 A system comprising: a cellular repeater having a variable-gain donor antenna adapted to communicate with a base station, and a server antenna adapted to communicate with a mobile device, the cellular repeater receiving a signal having a dynamically-changing input signal power level; and a gain hold processor comprising logic to dynamically control a gain of the received signal by the cellular repeater based on the input signal power level; the gain hold processor being configured to at least: set gain of an amplifier to a predetermined first level; detect an increase in the input signal power level of the signal during receipt of a first data burst; drop, at the cellular repeater and in response to detection, the gain of the amplifier from the predetermined first level to a second level less than the predetermined first level, the drop of the gain being over one or more cycles of the signal; hold the gain of the amplifier at the second level until receipt of a second data burst having the input signal power level; and gradually increase the gain of the amplifier from the second level to the predetermined first level in response to an expiration of a period of time during which no signal is received at the cellular repeater. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system in accordance with claim 11, wherein a data burst is defined by a predetermined burst time period. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the gain hold processor is further configured to at least hold the gain of the amplifier in response to an increase to the input signal power level taking longer than the predetermined burst time period. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the second level is a predetermined level. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the predetermined second level gain drop amount is based on the input signal power level during a data burst.