Cable and Accessories
Amplifiers

The U.S. FCC has laws that limit the use of amplifiers with a WLAN. An amplifier may only be used, if it is sold as part of a system. This means that the AP, amplifier, extension cable, and antenna are all sold as a system. These laws help to ensure that amplifiers are tested with certain products and legally marketed and sold.

Outdoors
The U.S. FCC ruling is designed to keep installers from adding an amplifier and interfering with other wireless spectrum users. Interference from improperly configured equipment is a big concern in a metropolitan area. Be aware of the local laws and of other systems in the area, which may be affected by an amplifier.

Figure illustrates an example of an outdoor, waterproof, bidirectional pole mounted amplifier for use with 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum radios and WLAN equipment. The device has a low noise receiver pre-amplifier and a transmit-power amplifier.

Indoors
When installing equipment indoors, it is preferred to install an additional access point rather than installing an amplifier. In rare instances, an amplifier may be needed indoors. Care must be taken to avoid interfering with nearby wireless spectrum users. Some amplifiers sold today are certified with entire product lines, which include all APs, cables, and antennas. Figure shows a bidirectional, indoor amplifier for use with 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum radio modem and WLAN equipment. Like the outdoor amplifier, it has a low-noise receiver pre-amplifier and transmit-power amplifier.


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