What are Repeaters? Functions and Differences with Routers

Have you ever had trouble connecting your device to a WiFi network because it was out of range? Interference like this often occurs due to limited capabilities of WiFi transmitters where networks can only be captured within a certain radius. Repeater is the best solution to overcome this.

It is common knowledge that the farther the device is from the transmitter location, the worse the WiFi network it is accessing. In addition, a room with many partitions can also affect transmission quality. The impact is not only on internet speed, but your device may have difficulty detecting the network. Additional devices such as repeaters are needed so that the transmitted signal is stronger and wider.

Definition of Repeaters

Repeaters is a special tool or device that functions to receive and extend the range of WiFi signals. In order to use this tool, you must at least be in the main WiFi coverage area first. Then only then the signal can be strengthened with the help of a repeater. Interestingly, the use of repeaters does not affect the quality of data transmission between nodes at all.

Apart from WiFi, other types of repeaters are also often used for cable. Cable repeaters function to amplify the signal transmitted via network cables. Usually, within a certain range of distances you need to install this tool to maintain data signal strength. The use of cable repeaters allows two slightly distant locations to be linked effectively.

Apart from that, repeaters have several other names based on their functions and uses. As a signal booster, most people call a repeater a WiFi booster. As for some people call a repeater as a WiFi extender because of its function as a means of extending the range of a WiFi signal.

Repeater Function

Repeaters have various functions, including the following:

1. Expanding reach

As previously mentioned, the main function of a repeater is to extend the range of a WiFi signal. This tool is able to increase and expand the power of network data transfer while producing a maximum connection. Without a repeater, a WiFi network can only be accessed in certain areas and cannot be spread as a whole.

2. Speed ​​up the receipt and transmission of data

The next function of the repeater is to speed up the reception and transmission of data. This function can be felt directly by the user when surfing the internet. Various browsing activities can be carried out at smooth speeds according to bandwidth, including during the download and upload process.

3. Strengthen WiFi signal

The method of repeating data transfer on a repeater serves to strengthen and optimize the WiFi signal. This tool is able to capture and add a signal to the internet network access. That way, users can still access the WiFi network optimally even though they are a little far from the transmitter.

4. Reduce the use of cables

The use of network cables is generally quite expensive. The existence of a repeater can replace the role of network cables as a network link in an area. Besides being more practical, using a repeater is also relatively cheaper than using a network cable.

5. Capture and maximize signal

The next function of the repeater is to forward and maximize the signal. This tool will work by capturing, managing, amplifying, and forwarding signals to various network devices around the area of ​​this tool.

Repeater Type

There are several types of repeaters that are commonly used to improve the performance of an internet network:

Telephone repeater is a type of repeater that has a function to strengthen telephone signals that are weakened due to long distances. This tool is usually installed on long-distance telephone lines so that the signal received between users can always be good.

• Optical communication repeater

Optical communication repeater or optical communications repeater has a function to amplify the signal on a fiber optic cable.

This type of repeater functions to receive radio wave signals and retransmit while amplifying the received signal. Radio wave signals that can be amplified by this type of repeater include signals on WiFi networks.

This type of repeater device generally has several antennas, and each antenna on this repeater device has a role as a signal receiver and transmitter or signal retransmitter.

How Repeaters Work

The repeater functions to extend the range of the wifi network. This is done by receiving a data signal and then transmitting it again. Before being broadcast again, the signal that has entered the repeater is amplified first.

Basically a repeater has two types of components in it. The first component is responsible for receiving signal data from the transmitter. While the second component functions to re-transmit the signal data. But before the signal data is retransmitted, the hardware on this repeater will change the frequency so that the transmitted data signal becomes stronger. Thus, the signal will become stronger and the range will be wider.

In processing the data signal that goes into it, the repeater has two systems that are generally used. Those systems are analog repeater and digital repeater. In an analog repeater, the data signal is sent in the form of analog data where the consumption of electric power is directly proportional to the amplitude or magnitude of the signal sent. Meanwhile, digital repeaters transmit data signals in digital form. Digital data is sent in binary form, which is represented by the numbers 1 and 0. In addition, the digital repeater also performs additional processing on the processed signal data.

The difference between repeaters and routers

At first glance, a repeater has a function that is almost similar to a router, which is to transmit network signals. However, both are two different devices, both in terms of function and process. To better understand, below is the difference between a repeater and a router:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Repeaters

1. The advantages of repeaters

The advantages that you can get when using a WiFi repeater are:

• You can use these digital tools to amplify, reshape, and even combine any of the functions of the digital input signal in the retransmission.
• The repeater will work on the actual physical signal, so never try to interpret the data being sent.
• Can amplify and stabilize signals for weak areas.
• A repeater is an analog device that amplifies a signal’s input regardless of the nature (analog or digital).
• No network cable needed.
• Configurable quickly and easily.
• One extender can accommodate up to 50 devices at a time. Depending on the type and specifications you use.

2. Lack of repeaters

There are also disadvantages of a WiFi repeater tool, namely:

• Copper for fiber.
• Extends the physical distance of network devices.
• Repeaters should be located high and unobstructed.
• Not too serious to affect the performance of a particular network connected with different media.
• Network speed may decrease if there are many devices.
• Depends on the central network (server) on the main router.

Should You Buy a Repeater?

To decide whether you need to buy a WiFi repeater, you should first check the existing Wi-Fi coverage in your home or office. If your internet speed is fine and stable then there is no need to use a repeater.

But when you move around the building with your smartphone in hand and notice that the wireless signal is lost in some areas. Then a WiFi repeater can help. Also, even if the signal is caught throughout the house but is too weak, resulting in a slow connection, it may be worth buying a WiFi repeater.

You can now quickly check the actual internet speed by using one of the various apps or websites to check your network speed.

Before deciding where to install the WiFi repeater, it is important to check the position of your WiFi router, which should ideally be installed in the middle of the room. For example, that is a large room or open area that is free of obstructions or thick walls.

Materials such as reinforced concrete walls will absorb signals imperceptibly, this will reduce the effectiveness of the WiFi extender against your computer network devices.

This repeater should be installed in a location that provides maximum coverage. For example, put a router on the ground floor to cover the basement and upstairs using this device.