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Cellular Signal Boosters For Digital Signage

If there’s one characteristic that’s defined my career in consumer electronics, even as the decades have passed, and I’ve worked in different channels, it’s been this: problem solving. I’m obsessed with it. Every problem has a solution, even if you don’t yet know what it is, and it’s been my life’s goal to find them.

To that end I’ve always displayed a greater enthusiasm for dongles, adaptors, and various problem-solving devices than I have for what most people consider the Main Attraction of AV: displays, projectors, and speakers.

All too often the problem that AV pros need to solve is getting signal from one place to another, and this is particularly true for digital signage. While most DS installations make use of either or both Ethernet and Wi-Fi, it’s not out of the question that some installations may require a wireless data connection, whether as a backup, or as primary connection for mobile installations.
When your hardware requires a wireless data connection, you’re at the mercy of signal strength, but as an AV pro you do have hardware that can rescue you from low signal.

A couple of months ago I addressed the topic of cell signal boosters here, and it’s a good topic to review if you missed it.

Disclaimer: I work for Hitfar Concepts Ltd, a Canadian distributor of Wilson Electronics signal boosters.

Why I’m bringing this up is that Wilson has debuted a new unit, the DataPro Direct Connect Signal Booster, a cellular signal booster that has been developed specifically for machine to machine (M2M) installations for equipment that is dependant on a cellular signal such as ATM machines, mobile installations and of course, digital signage.

The dual-band DataPro connects to the CDMA modem in M2M installations to provide strong, reliable cellular signal that ensures successful M2M data transfer, and it works out of the box on all North American CDMA networks.

The DataPro’s compact form factor is small, about the size of a deck of cards, minus the power supply and antenna, which makes it simple to find room to install it in an enclosure. And because it’s powered by 5V DC, it’s simple to power it even in small or mobile installations.

AV pros can pair it with a cellular antenna for maximum system gain to overcome a weak signal, whether it’s caused by distance to the cell site, or obstructions such as buildings or terrain. It’s FCC/IC rated and approved, and no licence is required for its installation and operation.

For more information, you can contact Wilson Electronics.

Lee Distad is a rAVe columnist and freelance writer covering topics from CE to global business and finance in both print and online. Reach him at lee@ravepubs

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