Iridium Optical Repeater
Global Foxcom’s Iridium Optical Repeater brings live Iridium satellite access into enclosed facilities where direct sky view is not available. It separates the outside antenna location from the indoor operating area through an RF over Fiber link, helping teams maintain satellite handset access from protected spaces without relying on long coaxial runs. The kit consists of the IP65-rated G4000 Series outdoor unit (ODU), a 7190M Series chassis with dual power supply (PS), dual outdoor Iridium antennas, and dual indoor ceiling-mount antennas.
Features & Benefits
- Operates across the 1616-1626.5 MHz Iridium frequency range
- Supports concurrent uplink and downlink transmission paths
- RF input signal range up to -20 dBm on uplink and downlink paths
- Low noise floor with a noise figure under 5 dB
- IDU/ODU VSWR performance maintained at 1:1.6 dBm
- Utilizes dual SMF-28 or equivalent single-mode fiber optic cabling
- Supports extended link distances up to 3 km with under 2 dB optical loss
- Minimum IDU/ODU optical power output rated at -3 dBm / 0.5 mW
- Operates at 1310 ±10 nm optical wavelength
- Equipped with low-reflection FC/APC optical connectors
- Indoor unit physical interface – single SMA Female connector
- Outdoor unit physical interfaces – dual N-Type Female connectors
In heavily shielded or subterranean environments, such as military bunkers, maritime vessels, submarines, and offshore oil platforms, personnel can lose access to vital satellite networks. This Global Foxcom system uses dedicated outdoor TX and RX antennas to manage uplink and downlink traffic, converting RF signals through the G4000 Outdoor Unit into optical signals for transmission over single-mode fiber.
The signal is carried indoors to a chassis with redundant power supplies, then distributed through ceiling-mounted omni-directional antennas for standard Iridium handsets. By using RF over Fiber technology, the system preserves signal quality over long distances, supports communication across large facilities, and helps maintain connectivity when terrestrial networks fail. Fiber infrastructure also provides galvanic isolation to help protect indoor equipment from lightning strikes and electrical surges.
Basic Details
| RF Specification | Value |
| Frequency Range – Bandwidth | 1616-1626.5MHz |
| Noise Figure | <5dB |
| Input Signal Range – Total Power | Downlink: up to -20dBm; Uplink: up to 0dBm |
What applications is the Iridium Optical Link designed for?
The system is ruggedized and optimized for environments stripped of direct sky access, including:
- Military bunkers and command centres
- Underground mining and transit facilities
- Submarines and naval maritime vessels
- Offshore oil rigs and energy platforms
Can we expand this system to support other satellite services over the same infrastructure?
Yes. Global Foxcom builds expandable architecture. If your facility expands its operational requirements to include GPS/GNSS tracking or Inmarsat communication alongside Iridium voice and data, this setup integrates cleanly into our broader satellite repeater
What are the mechanical dimensions of the indoor and outdoor units?
The system is designed with compact indoor and outdoor units suitable for practical installation:
- Indoor Compact Unit (IDU): 20.8cm L x 13.2cm W x 6cm H
- Outdoor Unit (ODU): 36 cm L x 29 cm W x 13.5 cm H
What operating temperatures can these units withstand?
The system is built to survive harsh deployment environments:
- Indoor Unit: -20°C to +55°C
- Outdoor Unit: -30°C to +55°C
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