Global Foxcom IRIDKIT01C Compact Iridium Optical Repeater Kit

Iridium Communication Inside Enclosed Facilities

Iridium devices normally require access to overhead satellites. This repeater kit places dedicated transmit and receive antennas outside, then carries the signal to indoor distribution antennas so supported Iridium equipment can operate inside shielded or enclosed spaces.

The system is suitable for command centers, military bunkers, ships, submarines, offshore platforms, mines, underground facilities, and other locations where personnel must maintain satellite communication without moving outdoors.

RF-over-Fiber Connection

The outdoor unit converts incoming and outgoing Iridium radio signals for transmission over single-mode optical fiber. The compact indoor unit converts the optical signal back to RF and connects to the two ceiling-mounted indoor antennas.

Fiber provides electrical isolation between the outdoor and indoor equipment and avoids the signal loss associated with long coaxial cable runs. The supported optical link distance is up to 3 kilometers with an optical loss budget of up to 2 dB.

Fiber cable is not included because the required length depends on the facility. Pre-terminated fiber can be supplied separately for the installation.

Compact Indoor Equipment

Unlike the rack-mounted IRIDKIT01 configuration, the IRIDKIT01C uses a compact, DC-powered indoor unit that can be installed on a wall or shelf. This makes it suitable for locations where a standard 19-inch equipment rack is unavailable or unnecessary.

The indoor unit connects to two ceiling-mounted omnidirectional antennas through the included 10-meter coaxial cables. The antennas can be positioned to distribute coverage through the intended operating area.

Separate Uplink and Downlink Antennas

The kit uses two outdoor Iridium antennas: one for the satellite downlink path and one for the uplink path. Separate antennas help prevent feedback between transmitted and received signals.

For proper performance, the outdoor antennas must be mounted with suitable vertical and horizontal separation and an unobstructed view of the sky. The indoor antennas should also be positioned according to the site design and desired coverage area.

System Capacity and Expansion

The optical repeater supports simultaneous uplink and downlink operation across the Iridium 1616–1626.5 MHz frequency range. The standard system is rated to support up to three simultaneous satellite phone calls under suitable installation conditions.

Additional indoor antennas, RF dividers, or dual-zone equipment may be used when coverage is required across multiple rooms or larger operating areas. GPS/GNSS and Inmarsat repeater equipment can also be integrated as separate system components.

Professional Installation and Service Planning

Coverage depends on facility construction, room layout, antenna spacing, cable losses, fiber routing, and the separation between indoor and outdoor antenna systems. A site-specific design is recommended before installation.

The repeater carries Iridium signals but does not provide satellite service by itself. Compatible Iridium phones, terminals, SIM cards, and active airtime plans are required separately.