RF repeaters for time division duplex cordless telephone systems

Claim 1

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.