Cell Phone Signal Booster Glossary

1. AGC (Automatic Gain Control): A feature of some boosters that automatically adjust the signal amplification based on the incoming signal strength to prevent overloading and interference.
2. Amplifier: The central unit of the cell phone signal booster that boosts the incoming weak signal and retransmits it to provide better coverage.
3. Analog Signal Booster: An older type of signal booster that amplifies analog signals. Modern boosters are designed for digital signals, such as 4G and 5G.
4. Antenna: The component responsible for capturing and transmitting cellular signals. A cell phone signal booster typically has an outside antenna to receive signals and an inside antenna to broadcast them within the building.
5. Antenna Mount: The method used to secure the outside antenna of a signal booster, such as pole mounting, wall mounting, or roof mounting.
6. Band: A specific range of frequencies used by a cellular network. Cell phone signal boosters are available in single, dual, or multi-band configurations to support different networks.
7. Bi-Directional Amplification: The process of amplifying both the signal received from the cell tower and the signal transmitted from the mobile device to ensure effective communication.
8. Bi-Directional Antenna: An antenna designed to send and receive signals in multiple directions, typically used with bi-directional signal boosters to ensure two-way communication.
9. Bi-Directional Booster: A type of cell phone signal booster that amplifies both uplink and downlink signals, ensuring two-way communication with the cell tower.
10. Bypass Mode: A feature in some signal boosters that allows the booster to be turned off to prevent interference or to meet regulatory requirements during emergencies.
11. Carrier Lock: Some signal boosters are ‘locked’ to a specific carrier or network, making them incompatible with other carriers. Ensure you choose an unlocked or multi-carrier booster if needed.
12. Carrier-Approved Booster: Signal boosters that have been officially certified by cellular carriers for use on their networks, ensuring compliance with network standards.
13. Cell Tower: A structure that transmits and receives cellular signals, connecting mobile devices to the cellular network.
14. Cell Site: A cellular tower or base station that communicates with mobile devices. Signal boosters work by enhancing the connection between these cell sites and mobile devices.
15. Cell Phone Signal Booster: A device designed to improve cellular signal reception and coverage by amplifying weak signals from cell towers.
16. Coverage Area: The specific area within a building or vehicle where the cell phone signal booster can improve signal strength and reception.
17. Coverage Expansion: The extension of cellular signal coverage within a building, vehicle, or other enclosed space achieved by a cell phone signal booster.
18. Coverage Map: A visual representation of the expected coverage area of a cell phone signal booster, helping users plan antenna placement for optimal results.
19. Daisy-Chaining: The process of connecting multiple amplifiers in a series to extend the coverage area or address specific signal distribution needs.
20. Data Roaming: The ability of a cell phone signal booster to support data roaming, allowing users to access data services when connected to a different carrier’s network.
21. dB (Decibel): A unit used to measure the gain or loss of signal strength. A higher dB value indicates stronger signal amplification.
22. dB Gain Adjustment: Some signal boosters offer adjustable gain settings to fine-tune signal amplification based on the incoming signal strength.
23. dBm (Decibels Milliwatts): A unit of measurement used to express signal strength. A positive dBm value indicates a strong signal, while a negative value indicates a weaker signal.
24. Downlink: The process of transmitting a boosted signal from the cell phone signal booster to the mobile device.
25. Femtocell: A device that creates a small, localized cellular network within a building, providing improved coverage but requiring a separate internet connection. It is an alternative to signal boosters.
26. Firmware: The software embedded in the signal booster’s hardware. Firmware updates can provide improvements in performance, features, and compatibility.
27. Frequencies: The specific radio frequencies on which cellular networks operate. Cell phone signal boosters are designed to work with specific frequency bands.
28. Gain: The measure of the signal strength improvement provided by a cell phone signal booster. It is usually expressed in decibels (dB).
29. Gain Control: The ability to manually adjust the signal booster’s amplification level, which can help fine-tune signal coverage and prevent over-amplification.
30. Indoor/Outdoor Antenna Switch: A feature that allows you to manually switch between indoor and outdoor antennas, useful for adjusting the signal booster’s performance.
31. Indoor Cable: The coaxial cable that connects the signal booster to the inside antenna, distributing the amplified signal within the building. Quality cables are crucial for maintaining signal strength.
32. Indoor Signal Strength: The signal strength measured within a building or vehicle after it has been amplified by the signal booster. This measurement is typically in dBm.
33. Inside Antenna: The antenna placed indoors to broadcast the boosted signal to mobile devices within the coverage area.
34. Interference: Any external factors or conditions that disrupt or weaken cellular signals, such as buildings, trees, or terrain.
35. Intermodulation: The generation of new frequencies when two or more signals combine within a signal booster, potentially causing interference or distortion.
36. Latency: The time delay between sending a signal and receiving a response. Lower latency is crucial for a better user experience, especially for real-time applications like video calls or online gaming.
37. Lightning Surge Protector: A device used to protect the signal booster from damage caused by lightning strikes or power surges by diverting excess voltage safely to the ground.
38. Local Regulations: Rules and guidelines set by local authorities or cellular carriers that may impact the installation and use of cell phone signal boosters.
39. MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output): A technology that uses multiple antennas for both the sending and receiving of signals, enhancing data throughput and improving signal quality.
40. Multipath Interference: Signal distortion caused by reflected signals arriving at the receiving antenna out of phase with the direct signal, potentially affecting signal quality.
41. Noise: Unwanted interference or background electromagnetic radiation that can affect signal quality.
42. Non-Residential Booster: Signal boosters designed for commercial, industrial, or public spaces, such as offices, warehouses, and stadiums, where larger coverage areas are required.
43. Oscillation: A feedback loop that occurs when the inside and outside antennas of a signal booster are too close, causing signal interference.
44. Outdoor Cable: The coaxial cable used to connect the outside antenna to the signal booster. It is designed to transmit the captured signal with minimal signal loss.
45. Outside Antenna: The antenna installed outside a building or vehicle to capture the cellular signal from the nearest cell tower.
46. Outside Signal: The existing cellular signal strength outdoors that is captured by the outside antenna of the signal booster. This signal is then amplified and rebroadcasted by the booster.
47. Peak Output Power: The maximum power output of a signal booster, typically measured in dBm, which indicates the booster’s ability to amplify signals.
48. Public Safety Bands: Frequencies reserved for use by public safety and emergency services. Some signal boosters are designed to support these bands to ensure public safety communications remain unimpeded.
49. Regain: The term used to describe the strength of the signal after it has been amplified by the signal booster, measured in dB.
50. Scalability: The ability to expand or adjust the coverage area of a cell phone signal booster by adding additional antennas or amplifiers to meet changing needs.
51. Self-Optimizing: Some signal boosters feature self-optimizing technology that continually monitors the signal strength and adjusts amplification to ensure consistent signal quality.
52. Signal Booster Kit: A complete package that includes all necessary components for a signal booster system, typically including outside and inside antennas, cables, and the amplifier.
53. Signal Power Level (SPL): The measurement of the strength of a cell signal, usually expressed in dBm (decibels milliwatts).
54. Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR): The ratio of the desired signal to unwanted background noise. A higher SNR indicates a cleaner and more reliable signal.
55. Smart Technology: Some modern signal boosters feature smart technology that allows remote monitoring and adjustments via mobile apps, optimizing performance and troubleshooting issues.
56. Splitter: A device used to split the amplified signal to multiple inside antennas, allowing signal distribution to different areas within a building.
57. Uplink: The process of capturing a weak signal from a mobile device and sending it to the cell phone signal booster for amplification.
58. Unidirectional Antenna: An antenna that radiates or receives signals in a specific direction, useful for focusing the booster’s coverage area.
59. Wireless Link: In some advanced signal boosters, the connection between the outside and inside antennas is wireless, eliminating the need for physical cables between the two.
60. Yagi Antenna: A directional outdoor antenna commonly used with cell phone signal boosters to capture signals from a specific direction or cell tower.

This glossary provides definitions for key terms and concepts related to cell phone signal boosters, helping users better understand how these devices work and how they can improve mobile signal reception and coverage.Also see Introduction to Cell Phone Signal Boosters