Would it be possible to make a small amplifier for a bluetooth signal to extend the range of the device.

By on May 26th, 2009

I have an iPod with a plug-in Sony bluetooth transmitter chip that sends out wireless signals. If I leave my iPod in most rooms of my house, the signals reach all rooms except our back room, which was added onto the house, and is separated by about 8 inches of brick. I think that the house used to have lead based exterior paints, which were covered before the room was added on (I don’t know if it makes a difference, but it’s worth mentioning). If the iPod is transmitting from the room, the signal for whatever reason is only extended to the basement (which does not lie under the room at all), and is greatly distorted. The doorway into the room has door, and there is a large window that was removed when the room was put on, leaving it open between the back room and the adjacent kitchen. For some reason, the signal does not seem to make it through either, even when lined up so that there is a direct path through the air into the room (I have done some experiments to determine this). I want to know if I could make a small device to hang in either the window frame or the door to either amplify existing signals at that point so that they would reach the room, or receive signals on one side and resend them on the other without distorting them. The reason for this is that I often have several people listening to my iPod with wireless headphones in various rooms, and the back room is a sort of a lounge. If I want to listen while doing schoolwork, but my sister wants to listen while playing video games in the back room, it is impossible. I am in eighth grade, but I have extensive background in electronics, and can build just about anything when I have the components I need (including ICs). Being just a student, however, I do not have access to the things needed to make my own circuit boards. I do have a soldering iron and solder. I have a good amount of money, and I live within walking distance of a Radio Shack, which I can use for basic components and standardized circuit boards. Please give me a detailed description of the device, including a detailed list of components. Schematics would definitely be useful, so either give me a link to existing schematics online, or draw and scan or digitally create you own and email them to me (I will give my email below). If I need to get any ICs, please give all relevant information (brand, serial number, where to buy, etc.). The same goes for any other components not available at Radio Shack. If any of the ICs or unavailable components can be easily scavenged from any common electronics, I’m all for it. Finally, I would like to know the estimated cost and assembly time of the device.

Email: julianerandolph@gmail.com