A GPS or GNSS Repeater is a device that re-transmits the outdoor satellite signals to indoor or underground areas where the satellite signal cannot reach. The repeater receives the signal via a coaxial or fiber optic connection from an outdoor receiving antenna that is placed outdoors in a location where the antenna has an unobstructed view of the sky and the satellites, often on the roof of a building or mounted in the top of a short mast or pole. In the following four key areas are introduced where GNSS Repeaters can provide a solution.

Aircraft Hangars

By installing a GNSS Repeater in an aircraft hangar you can avoid having to push the aircraft outdoors when you need to do any maintenance or testing & calibration of avionics or navigational equipment using GNSS signals. This will result in savings and increased safety as work can be performed inside the hangar and independent of weather conditions. For military aircraft and fighter jets it is imperative that no long satellite signal acquisition time is experienced when scrambling from the hangar. With a repeater provided live satellite signal inside the hangar no dire time is wasted on signal acquisition as the fighter is always locked on to the live signal.

Public Safety, First Responders and Fire Stations

Many Public safety vehicles are today equipped with computers or other equipment that relies on receiving a live GNSS signal. When these vehicles (fire engines, ambulances, police cars or other first responder vehicles) are parked inside a garage or fire station they often lose the live GNSS signal. The dispatchers will receive incorrect location data from these resources as the location eventually starts to drift from the real location when the signal is lost. By installing GNSS repeater systems in the garage or fire station all vehicles and even personnel carrying portable radios with GPS positioning will have a live signal while inside and when being dispatched they do not have to waste any valuable time for signal acquisition.

Transit and Bus Stations

Today many transit systems and bus services wish to provide their passengers with as accurate schedules and timetables as possible and rely on GNSS technology to provide this Real Time Information (RTI) to them. But when transit stations or bus terminals are underground or when the buses travel inside tunnels or inside parking garages the GNSS signals are of course lost, and this great tool is rendered useless as the RTI data will be incorrect. With GNSS repeaters installed in locations that don’t receive the live GNSS signal the service provider can assure uninterrupted and accurate timetable and scheduling service for their customers.

The positioning system in the vehicle transmits the real-time location to the RTI system computer which then in turn communicates this information to customers and passengers using several different interfaces such as:

* RTI displays at bus stops that show arrival times, service updates and delays.

* Transit service company websites that provide similar information.

* Transit company or third party provided mobile applications.

When vehicles enter tunnels, garages, or underground terminals the GNSS receiver loses the live signal from the satellites. The location data that is transmitted to the RTI computer is now incorrect as it will report the location as the last location where the receiver could receive a live signal or just before entering the structure. So, all information will be incorrect until the vehicle appears on the other side of the tunnel or exits the terminal or garage and emerges outdoors again. However, there can be a longer delay of up to 15 minutes before accurate location data is transmitted again due to the delay in acquisition of live GNSS signal again.

By installing GNSS repeater systems in locations without signal coverage the GNSS receivers in buses and vehicles will be always locked-on to a live signal and the real-time information sent to the RTI system is accurate at all times.

Manufacturing Plants / Test And Verification

In car manufacturing, airplane assembly plants, or any manufacturing or assembly line where the equipment being built includes devices or equipment utilizing GNSS timing or location or both testing and verification of these devices becomes somewhat of a challenge if you don’t have a live GNSS signal available. Typically, only a limited test and verification area of the plant would need to be furnished with GNSS repeaters to enable test & verification of any equipment or devices requiring the live GNSS signal. As a result of providing indoor live signal the general workflow can be greatly improved resulting in more efficient production and better ROI.

Check here https://steffesandco.com/gps-repeater-kits/ for some of our repeater kits or contact us to discuss your requirements in more detail. If you have a larger area that requires signal coverage, we can offer a customized system based on multiple repeaters and if necessary, including splitters, amplifiers and custom coaxial cabling or optical fiber transmission lines.