System and method for setting the reverse link gain of repeaters in wireless communications systems

A method and apparatus are disclosed for setting total reverse link gain between a repeater and a base station. The method and apparatus generally comprise setting total reverse link gain between a repeater and a base station comprises determining an operating point for the repeater; establishing a reverse communication link between the base station and a transceiver device within a coverage area of the repeater; determining if an increase in a reverse link gain is substantially equal to an increase in a noise figure of the base station, using a transmit power of the transceiver device; and adjusting the reverse link gain by an amount based on the operating point and based on a difference in reverse link gain values, if the increase in the reverse link gain is substantially equal to the increase in the noise figure of the base station, to set the total reverse link gain.