Distributed antenna system with built-in power-free diagnostic detection device and method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a diagnostic detection device for detecting an RF signal outputted from an antenna, wherein an RF signal transmitted from a repeater is received and outputted as the RF signal into the air by means of the antenna via a transmission line. The diagnostic detection device may comprise: a broadband energy harvester coupling an RF signal transmitted via the transmission line to acquire RF power for each of a plurality of broadband bands; an energy management system managing the RF power acquired via the broadband energy harvester and storing the RF power as DC energy; and a communication module having a corresponding power detection port monitoring a DC voltage for each frequency band of the broadband energy harvester, and monitoring output power in each frequency band via the power detection port.

Description

Distributed antenna system and method with built-in power-free diagnostic detection device

[0001] The present invention relates to a distributed antenna system in a mobile communication system, and more specifically, to a power-free diagnostic and detection device for diagnosing and detecting a distributed antenna and a distributed antenna system using the same.

[0002] This invention is the result of research conducted under the 2025 project "Development of Class-F Energy Harvester using 20W-class POI GaN Semiconductor for DAS Efficiency Improvement" with funding from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Institute of Technology Information (RS-2024-00509014).

[0003] In order to provide wireless coverage and to provide wireless network services smoothly without dead zones within a building, a distributed antenna system is used, as shown in Fig. 1. In particular, a distributed antenna system is utilized in in-building structures where radio waves cannot efficiently reach due to obstacles such as walls, glass floors, and separation, as well as in common tunnel structures within subway terminals.

[0004] Furthermore, as communication frequencies are increasing to secure wider channel capacity, the utilization of distributed antenna systems is becoming increasingly important to expand wireless coverage, as higher frequencies result in shorter propagation distances and insufficient coverage.

[0005] The distributed antenna system of FIG. 1 has a plurality of antennas (21, 22, 23) installed in a repeater (10), and each antenna (21, 22, 23) provides a service by transmitting a signal received from the repeater (10) into space and transmitting the signal to a terminal. At this time, the distributed antenna (21, 22, 23) located at the end of the distributed antenna system is a simple antenna component connected to a cable, and since the antenna is a passive element that passively performs only the function of transmitting and receiving signals, it is impossible to determine the strength of the signal entering the antenna or to diagnose a fault in the antenna.

[0006] In addition, existing distributed antenna systems require antennas to be placed throughout every room and hallway within a building to provide wireless coverage, and there was the inconvenience of having to manually measure wireless signals at each location to check the operation and maintain these antennas.

[0007] Accordingly, as a prior art patent, Korean Registered Patent No. 2342474 presents a solution by providing an antenna monitoring system (200) that detects and monitors the output of an antenna (205), as shown in FIG. 2.

[0008] However, the antenna monitoring system (200) of FIG. 2 includes batteries (221, 222) and has no description of the implementation for broadband operation, and is structured in such a way that it is not possible to check which band power is supplied. In particular, there is a problem that it is difficult to apply in practice because there is no power control circuit, the battery voltage situation is unstable, and the power detector (240) is structured to operate only when voltage is supplied.

[0009] There are also issues with the power detector. First, it uses a power detector that requires a separate power supply. Second, in broadband signals, it is impossible to determine the signal strength by frequency, and it can only detect the strongest signal.

[0010] In addition, using a separate power detector and a separate coupler presents problems such as increased cost, larger area, and degraded performance.

[0011] Meanwhile, the aforementioned background technology is technical information that the inventor possessed for the derivation of the present invention or acquired during the process of deriving the present invention, and it cannot necessarily be considered publicly known technology disclosed to the general public prior to the filing of the present invention.

[0012] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by providing convenience in the maintenance and management of a distributed antenna system through a distributed antenna device including a power-free diagnostic detection circuit and a system utilizing the same, thereby enabling individual distributed antennas in the distributed antenna system to detect RF signal strength and diagnose whether the antenna is faulty.

[0013] To this end, one aspect of the present invention is a diagnostic detection device for receiving an RF signal transmitted from a repeater and outputting it as an RF signal into the air through an antenna via a transmission path, and detecting the RF signal output from the antenna.

[0014] The above diagnostic detection device is,

[0015] A broadband energy harvester that couples RF signals transmitted through the above transmission path to acquire RF power for multiple broadband bands;

[0016] An energy management system that manages RF power obtained through the above-mentioned broadband energy harvester and stores it as DC energy;

[0017] A power-free diagnostic detection device is provided, comprising: a power detection port for monitoring the DC voltage for each frequency band of the broadband energy harvester, and a communication module for monitoring the output power in each frequency band through the power detection port.

[0018] Preferably, the broadband energy harvester may include a matching circuit that matches RF power transmitted through a coupler corresponding to each frequency band in the transmission path, and a rectifier circuit that converts the RF power signal output through the matching circuit into DC energy.

[0019] Preferably, the internal diode voltage node for each frequency band in the rectifier circuit can be used as a power detection port for detecting radio waves output through the antenna in the corresponding frequency band, and can be connected to the corresponding power detection port of the communication module.

[0020] Preferably, the matching circuit is configured such that a plurality of matching circuits corresponding to each broadband frequency are arranged in parallel according to a plurality of divided broadband frequency bands, and

[0021] When passing the F1 frequency band, the F2 and F3 frequency bands are matched to high impedance, and

[0022] When passing the F2 frequency band, the F1 and F3 frequency bands are matched to high impedance, and

[0023] When passing the F3 frequency band, the F1 and F2 frequency bands can be matched to high impedance.

[0024] Preferably, the energy management system can charge the DC energy input from the broadband energy harvester into the capacitor over time.

[0025] Preferably, the system may include a switch connecting the DC energy output terminal of the energy management system and the capacitor, and a switch control unit that turns off the switch to remove the DC energy input when the voltage of the capacitor reaches a peak value, and turns on the switch to provide the DC energy input when the voltage of the capacitor drops below a predetermined threshold value.

[0026] Preferably, the DC output terminals of the broadband energy harvesters operating in each band of the broadband band can be connected to a single terminal to combine the DC energy, which can then be stored in the energy management system.

[0027] Preferably, the communication module can transmit a unique identification code (ID) of the diagnostic detection device assigned along with output power information for each frequency band through digital modulation.

[0028] Preferably, the broadband energy harvester and the communication module may share a coupler that couples RF signals transmitted through the transmission path.

[0029] Another aspect of the present invention is a distributed antenna system comprising the above-mentioned power-free diagnostic detection device, wherein the antenna is provided as a plurality of distributed antennas, and the power-free diagnostic detection device may be installed by being embedded in or integrated into each of the distributed antennas.

[0030] Another aspect of the present invention is a method of operation of a diagnostic detection device for receiving an RF signal transmitted from a repeater and outputting it as an RF signal into the air through an antenna via a transmission path, and detecting the RF signal output from the antenna.

[0031] The above diagnostic detection device,

[0032] (a) A step of coupling RF signals transmitted through the transmission path to obtain RF power for multiple broadband bands;

[0033] (b) a step of managing the RF power obtained in step (a) above and storing it as DC energy;

[0034] (c) a step of providing a corresponding power detection port for monitoring DC voltages for multiple broadband bands in step (a), and monitoring output power in each frequency band through the power detection port; the method of operation of a diagnostic detection device is provided.

[0035] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of operation for a distributed antenna system equipped with a diagnostic detection device, wherein the antenna is provided with a plurality of distributed antennas, and (d) the distributed antenna system further comprises the step of remotely diagnosing the operating status of the distributed antennas through monitored output power information transmitted in step (c) and unique ID information of the diagnostic detection device.

[0036] Preferably, the remote diagnostic step may further include a step of diagnosing a fault by determining that the distributed antenna is normal if the output power level monitored in each broadband band through the power detection port is greater than or equal to a set normal value, and determining that the antenna is abnormal otherwise.

[0037] The present invention enables the diagnosis of the strength of the RF power signal applied to the distributed antenna and whether the antenna is faulty by embedding or integrating a power-free diagnostic detection circuit into the distributed antenna in a distributed antenna system that provides wireless network services smoothly without dead zones within a building.

[0038] Furthermore, regarding the maintenance of distributed antennas located throughout a building, by utilizing a distributed antenna with a built-in diagnostic detection circuit according to the present invention and a system utilizing it, the operational status of all distributed antennas installed within the building can be remotely diagnosed from a repeater, making maintenance and management highly effective.

[0039] In addition, by proposing various methods to overcome the difficulties in technical implementation found in existing prior patents, ideas were provided to enable the related system to operate at much higher performance.

[0040] In addition, since miniaturization is possible, the entire system can be integrated into the antenna itself rather than a separate module, which is expected to contribute significantly to the commercialization of related technologies.

[0041] In a typical distributed antenna system, individual distributed antennas are passive devices that simply transmit and receive signals, making it impossible to detect the strength of RF signals applied to the antennas through cables or to diagnose whether there is a fault.

[0042] In addition, there is a difficulty in that it requires significant human resources to diagnose faults and perform maintenance in distributed antenna systems, as it is necessary to reach the location where each distributed antenna is installed and directly measure the wireless signals.

[0043] The present invention proposes a distributed antenna device including a diagnostic detection circuit and a system utilizing the same, enabling individual distributed antennas in a distributed antenna system to detect RF signal strength and diagnose antenna failures, thereby providing convenience in the maintenance and management of the distributed antenna system.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a typical distributed antenna system, and

[0045] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an antenna detection circuit presented in an existing prior art patent, and

[0046] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a distributed antenna system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

[0047] FIG. 4 is a system structure diagram showing the configuration of a power-free diagnostic detection device (100) in the distributed antenna system of FIG. 3, and

[0048] FIGS. 5 to 7 are drawings showing the configuration of a broadband energy harvester (120) in the power-free diagnostic detection device (100) of FIG. 4 in more detail, and

[0049] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structure in which three broadband energy harvesters (120a, 120b, 120c) in the power-free diagnostic device (100) of FIG. 4 are connected to an energy management system (130), and

[0050] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the energy management system (130) of FIG. 8 in more detail, and

[0051] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the configuration of the communication module (140) in the power-free diagnostic detection device (100) of FIG. 4 in more detail, and

[0052] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for the operation method of a power-free diagnostic detection device (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical or similar components regardless of drawing symbols are assigned the same reference number, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "unit" and "part" used for components in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the ease of drafting the specification and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of related prior art could obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, such detailed description will be omitted. Additionally, the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification; the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings, and it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0054] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components are not limited by said terms.

[0055] The above terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0056] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0057] A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0058] In this specification, terms such as “comprising,” “comprising,” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0059]

[0060] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a distributed antenna system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 3, in the distributed antenna system according to the present invention, a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitted from a base station is received from an antenna outside the building or an external communication device and distributed into the building via a repeater (101). Additionally, monitoring data related to distributed antennas (103a, 103b, 103c) can be received and processed from the repeater (101) and output through a user interface device (PC / user terminal, 350).

[0062] The user interface device (350) is a device for providing the antenna monitoring data to the user visually or audibly, and is connected locally or remotely to the repeater (101) and can output output power or unique ID information of the diagnostic detection device for the antenna being monitored, such as audiovisual.

[0063] Specifically, the user interface device (350) may display the output power level of the distributed antennas (103a, 103b, 103c) as a numerical value, or display the output power level as a shape of a different color for each level range, or selectively display the normal / abnormal status of the antenna, or display a combination thereof, and the content or output method of the user interface device (350) of the present invention is not specifically limited.

[0064] In addition, the RF signal passing through the repeater (101) is distributed to multiple distributed antennas to provide wireless coverage so that there are no dead zones within the building. In this way, the distributed antenna system can provide wireless coverage by smoothly providing wireless network services without dead zones within the building.

[0065] Here, at least one distributed antenna system may be installed between a base station or repeater (hereinafter collectively referred to as "repeater" (101)) and multiple distributed antennas (103a to 103c). In general, mobile communication or RF communication (hereinafter referred to as RF communication) utilizes at least one repeater to receive and amplify weakened signals in the middle of the communication system and retransmit them, or to shape the waveform of a distorted signal and adjust or reconstruct the timing for transmission, in order to resolve service outage areas and improve service quality. Furthermore, an antenna refers to a wire installed in public to radiate radio waves into space or to induce an electromotive force by radio waves for wireless communication, and there are various types of antennas depending on their shape, function, etc.

[0066] In addition, the present invention enables a distributed antenna system in which a power-free diagnostic detection device (100a, 100b, 100c) is embedded in each of the plurality of distributed antennas (103a, 103b, 103c) located within a building, and the embedded power-free diagnostic device is used to simultaneously diagnose and detect each distributed antenna. That is, in a distributed antenna system, a diagnostic detection circuit is embedded in each of the plurality of distributed antennas (103a, 103b, 103c) to enable remote detection of the strength of the RF signal applied to each distributed antenna or diagnosis of whether the antenna is faulty.

[0067] In the following, a power-free diagnostic detection device (100) in the above distributed antenna system is described in detail. The power-free diagnostic detection device is denoted by the reference numeral 100, and 100a, 100b, and 100c are indicated to distinguish them when multiple units are configured. 100, 1001, 100b, 100c, etc. describe power-free diagnostic detection devices equipped with identical components. Additionally, the reference numerals 120, 120a, 120b, and 120c describing a broadband energy harvester have the same configuration. Furthermore, the reference numerals 150, 150a, 150b, and 150c describing a coupler have the same configuration.

[0068] FIG. 4 is a system structure diagram showing the configuration of a power-free diagnostic detection device (100) in the distributed antenna system of FIG. 3.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 4, the power-free diagnostic detection device (100) may be implemented inside the distributed antenna (103) or integrated with the antenna (103). In this case, the power-free diagnostic detection device (100) may be connected to the input port of the antenna (103) and may be connected to the antenna (103) so as to be able to transmit a signal by a signal transmission means such as a coaxial cable, such as a transmission path (102) of the distributed antenna system.

[0070] Additionally, the above-described power-free diagnostic detection device (100) comprises: a broadband energy harvester (Harvester, 120) that acquires RF power for multiple broadband bands (band 1 to band 3) by coupling RF signals (power) transmitted from a repeater (101) through a transmission path (102) via a coupler (150); an energy management system (130) that stores and manages the RF power acquired through the broadband energy harvester as DC energy; and a communication module (140) that monitors the output power in each broadband band through the power detection ports, and has corresponding power detection ports (P1, P2, P3) that monitor the DC voltage for each broadband band of the broadband energy harvester (120).

[0071] At this time, the broadband energy harvester (120) has first to third matching circuits for matching to obtain RF power transmitted through first to third couplers (150a, 150b, 150c) corresponding to each broadband band (Band 1, Band 2, Band 3) in the transmission path (102), and first to third rectifier circuits for converting the RF power output through the first to third matching circuits into DC energy.

[0072] In addition, multiple internal diode voltage nodes for each broadband band in the first to third rectifier circuits can be used as power detection ports that detect power output through the antenna in the corresponding broadband band, and can be connected to the corresponding power ports (P1, P2, P3) of the communication module (140).

[0073] The above-described power-free diagnostic detection device (100) is implemented by coupling the RF power obtained from the first to third broadband energy harvesters (120a, 120b) covering different broadbands of the first to third broadband bands (Ban1, Band 2, Band 3) to the transmission path (102) leading to the antenna, respectively, with the first to third couplers (150a, 150b, 150c). The RF power signals thus coupled are energy harvested according to each broadband frequency, stably combined through the energy management system (130), and the combined RF energy is converted into DC energy. The DC energy thus converted can be used as an energy source for the operation of the communication module (140).

[0074] FIGS. 5 to 7 are drawings showing the configuration of a broadband energy harvester (120) in the power-free diagnostic detection device (100) of FIG. 4 in more detail.

[0075] FIGS. 5 and FIGS. 6 are drawings showing a single-band energy harvester (110) structure and a broadband energy (120) harvester structure, respectively, in the power-free diagnostic device (100) of FIGS. 4.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 5a, a single-band energy harvester (110) may be composed of a matching circuit that receives RF energy coupled through a coupler with each broadband band frequency and performs impedance matching, and a rectifier circuit that rectifies the RF energy matched through the matching circuit.

[0077] For example, the matching circuit may be configured as an impedance matching circuit connecting two LC filter circuits, and the rectifier circuit may be configured as a combination of two capacitors and diodes connected to the matching circuit. The rectifier circuit may further include a rectifier section for half-wave or full-wave rectifying the matched RF signal, a smoothing section for smoothing the rectified signal using an LPF, etc., and a converter for transforming (boosting or stepping down) the voltage of the smoothed signal. Accordingly, the energy harvester (110, 120) provides a voltage regulated by the converter, for example, a voltage of 5V, to the energy management system (130), so that it can be used as a driving power source for a communication module (140) that monitors the output power in each broadband band through the power port.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 5b, the signal input to the energy harvester through the matching circuit in the single-band energy harvester (110) shows a narrow band operating range of about 8%. More preferably, the required bandwidth is a wide frequency reaching 100% of the operating frequency, and to cover all bands using the single-band energy harvester structure, about 10 harvesters and couplers are required. This can cause problems of increased cost, increased area, and increased loss.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 6a, there is a broadband energy harvester (120) structure. At this time, it is configured with the same configuration as the single-band matching circuit in FIG. 5a, but can be configured by connecting three identical matching circuits in parallel. At this time, the matching operation is configured such that when passing the F1 band, the F2 and F3 bands are configured with high impedance, when passing the intermediate F2 band, the impedance in the F1 and F3 frequency bands is made high impedance, and when passing the lower F3 band, the F1 and F2 frequency bands are matched with high impedance, thereby allowing the passing RF signals to be selectively sent for each matching.

[0080] In this broadband energy harvester (120) structure, as illustrated in FIG. 6b, broadband energy harvesting can be enabled with a structure having an operating bandwidth of 30% or more. Through this broadband energy harvester (120) structure, a system with a fractional bandwidth of 30% can be covered by three broadband energy harvesters. This enables RF energy harvesting, which operates in a narrowband of 8% or less with a single-band energy harvester, to operate in a broadband.

[0081] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of a broadband energy harvester (120) in the power-free diagnostic device (100) of FIG. 4 in more detail.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 7, in the internal structure of the broadband energy harvester (120), the internal diode node between the two diodes of the rectifier circuit is used as a power detection port.

[0083] That is, since the internal diode node voltage of the broadband energy harvester is used as the power detection port, it is possible to monitor DC energy power at the power detection port simultaneously with DC energy harvesting.

[0084] At this time, the power detection port is isolated from the DC power port through the diode, so that RF power information input to the broadband energy harvester can be provided without using a separate detector, unlike the conventional detection device of FIG. 2. This allows efficiency and performance to be maximized by changing the structure of the power source detector in the conventional technology to a power source-free power detection configuration.

[0085] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structure in which three broadband energy harvesters (120a, 120b, 120c) in the power-free diagnostic device (100) of FIG. 4 are connected to an energy management system (130).

[0086] Referring to FIG. 8, the outputs of broadband energy harvesters (120a, 120b, 120c) operating in three different broadband bands (bands 1 to 3) are combined and connected to an energy management system (130), so that the energy management system (130) can stably harvest energy by combining all the DC energy input from each broadband band (bands 1 to 3). In addition, unlike conventional methods, multiple batteries are not used, and this can be replaced with a single ceramic capacitor (131).

[0087] In addition, the above-described broadband energy harvester is shown to have a structure connected to each broadband band (Band 1 to Band 3). By using mutually isolated power detection ports, it becomes possible to provide a structure that allows the input energy level of each broadband band to be measured separately. Unlike conventional methods, this makes it possible to resolve the issue where it was previously impossible to know how much energy was input in a specific frequency band.

[0088] In addition, by configuring the connection of the capacitor (131) connected to the energy management system (130) for power management, it is possible to maintain a stable output voltage even in energy harvesting situations across multiple frequency bands, and this eliminates the need for a structure using a conventional supercapacitor or battery, thereby providing a compact configuration.

[0089] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the energy management system (130) of FIG. 8 in more detail.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 9, the energy management system (130) charges DC energy input from the first to third broadband energy harvesters (120a, 120b, 120c) into a connected ceramic capacitor (131) over time. At this time, to ensure a stable DC supply, the energy management system (130) and the ceramic capacitor (131) are connected via a switch (not shown). Additionally, an energy control unit (not shown) is further provided to connect or disconnect the energy management system (130) and the capacitor (131) by controlling the on / off state of the switch. Furthermore, a switching converter and a linear regulator may be provided.

[0091] For example, the energy control unit is configured to turn off the switch connected to the energy management system (130) and the capacitor (131) to remove the harvested DC input when the charged energy value reaches a peak value (Critical Point). Then, the switch is connected to recharge when the capacitor output voltage drops below a set threshold. Here, a small ceramic capacitor (131) is used to eliminate the problem of limited lifespan due to charging and discharging compared to conventional batteries, and price competitiveness is also enhanced. Additionally, the energy management system (130) applies the following control algorithm to eliminate the problem of the capacitor being damaged due to too much energy being supplied to the connected capacitor (131). That is, the switch is configured to remove the harvested DC input when the capacitor voltage reaches the peak value. Then, the switch is connected to recharge when the capacitor output voltage drops below a set threshold.

[0092] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the configuration of the communication module (140) in the power-free diagnostic detection device (100) of FIG. 4 in more detail.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 10, the communication module (140) is equipped with power detection ports (P1, P2, P3) that monitor the DC voltage of the output power obtained through the first to third broadband energy harvesters (120a, 120b, 120c). The power detection ports (P1, P2, P3) are each connected to the internal diode voltage nodes (power detection ports) of the first to third broadband energy harvesters, thereby enabling accurate monitoring of the output power in each band (band 1, band 2, band 3). That is, the communication module (140) measures the output power received from a plurality of broadband energy harvesters through the power detection ports (P1, P2, P3), harvests energy, transmits the output power intensity of each broadband energy harvester (120a, 120b, 120c) to the repeater (101), and can accurately monitor the harvested energy.

[0094] In addition, the communication module (140) performs RF communication with the unique ID of the diagnostic detection device (100) along with the output power information of P1, P2, and P3 through digital modulation. In this way, even when multiple distributed antennas are provided, it is possible to accurately determine and analyze which distributed antenna system the information came from through the received output power information or the unique ID information of the diagnostic device.

[0095] Additionally, in FIG. 10, the band 2 energy harvester (120b) obtains the RF power by coupling the RF signal (power) transmitted from the repeater (101) to the antenna (103) through the transmission path (102) via the second coupler (150b). At this time, the band 2 energy harvester (120b) is equipped with a corresponding power detection port (P1, P2, P3) that monitors the DC voltage of the output power, and a communication module (140) that monitors the output power in each broadband band through the power detection port. At this time, the band 2 energy harvester (120b) and the communication module share a second coupler (150b), and one edge of the second coupler (150b) is coupled with the band 2 broadband energy harvester (120b) to receive the coupled RF power signal and process energy harvesting, and the other edge is coupled with the communication module (150) to transmit the output power information monitored in each broadband band and the unique ID information of the diagnostic detection device through the power detection port to the repeater (101) or external communication module (300).

[0096] However, referring to FIG. 4, unlike the second coupler (150b) which is shared with the communication module (150), the first coupler (150a) and the third coupler (150c) are each coupled with the band 1 energy harvester (1202a) and the band 3 energy harvester (120c) at one edge, respectively, and are not structured to be shared with each other edge being grounded.

[0097] In this way, by reusing the second coupler (150b) of Band 2, which uses a frequency similar to that of the communication module (140) in the Band 2 wideband, to transmit the output power monitoring signal and unique ID information of the communication module (140), the communication module (140) does not require a separate coupler, thereby enabling a compact configuration with reduced size and improved performance simultaneously.

[0098] Here, the communication method of the communication module (140) is not specifically limited, but examples may include WLAN (Wireless LAN), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access), Bluetooth, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee, NFC (Near Field Communication), LoRa (Long Range), etc.

[0099] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for the operation method of a power-free diagnostic detection device (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the operation method of a power-free diagnostic detection device (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention is to receive an RF signal transmitted from a repeater (101) and output it as an RF signal into the air through an antenna (103) via a transmission path (102), and to detect the RF signal output from the antenna (103).

[0101] The method comprises a step (S100) of coupling RF power transmitted through the transmission path (102) to obtain RF power for each of the multiple broadband bands, a step (S200) of managing RF power obtained through the broadband energy harvester (120) and converting it into DC energy to store it in an energy management system (130), a step (S300) in which the communication module (140) is equipped with a corresponding power detection port that monitors the DC voltage for each frequency band of the broadband energy harvester (120), and the method comprises a step of monitoring output power in each broadband band through the power detection port, and a step (S400) in which the distributed antenna system remotely diagnoses the operating status of the distributed antenna through the monitored output power information transmitted through the communication module and the unique ID information of the diagnostic detection device.

[0102] At this time, the remote diagnosis step (S400) can determine that the distributed antenna is normal if the output power level monitored in each broadband band through the power detection port is greater than or equal to a set normal value, and otherwise determine that the antenna is abnormal to diagnose a fault.

[0103] However, the steps illustrated in FIG. 11 or the steps according to other embodiments of the present invention described above are not essential, so a method of operation of a power-free diagnostic detection device having more steps or fewer steps may be implemented.

[0104] Since the explanation for each step overlaps with what was previously mentioned, it will be omitted and replaced with the above.

[0105]

[0106] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. The description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will understand that other specific forms can be easily modified without changing the technical concept or essential features of the present invention.

[0107] Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description above, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning, scope, and equivalent concepts of the claims should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0108] <Explanation of Symbols>

[0109] 100, 100a, 100b, 100c: Power-free diagnostic detection device

[0110] 101: Repeater

[0111] 102: Transmission path

[0112] 103, 103a, 103b, 103c: Distributed antennas

[0113] 110: Single-band energy harvester

[0114] 120, 120a, 120b, 120c: Broadband energy harvester

[0115] 130: Energy Management System

[0116] 140: Communication module

[0117] 150, 150a, 150b, 150c: Coupler

[0118] The present invention relates to a distributed antenna system that expands wireless coverage to provide smooth wireless network services without dead zones.

[0119] In addition, the present invention provides a power-free diagnostic and detection device for diagnosing and detecting distributed antennas and a distributed antenna system using the same, thereby expanding wireless coverage in in-building structures where radio waves cannot efficiently reach due to obstacles such as walls or glass interlayer isolation, as well as in-cabinet tunnel structures within subway terminals, and enabling its use in mobile communication systems in various fields.

Claims

1. A diagnostic detection device for receiving an RF signal transmitted from a repeater and outputting it as an RF signal into the air through an antenna via a transmission path, and detecting the RF signal output from the antenna, The above diagnostic detection device is, A broadband energy harvester that couples RF signals transmitted through the above transmission path to acquire RF power for multiple broadband bands; An energy management system that manages RF power obtained through the above-mentioned broadband energy harvester and stores it as DC energy; A powerless diagnostic detection device comprising: a power detection port for monitoring the DC voltage for each frequency band of the broadband energy harvester, and a communication module for monitoring the output power in each frequency band through the power detection port.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above-described broadband energy harvester is a power-free diagnostic detection device comprising a matching circuit that matches RF power transmitted through a coupler corresponding to each frequency band in the transmission path, and a rectifier circuit that converts the RF power signal output through the matching circuit into DC energy.

3. In Paragraph 2, A power-free diagnostic detection device that uses an internal diode voltage node for each frequency band in the above rectifier circuit as a power detection port for detecting radio waves output through the antenna in the corresponding frequency band, and connects it to the corresponding power detection port of the above communication module.

4. In Paragraph 2, The above matching circuit is configured such that, according to a plurality of partitioned broadband frequency bands, a plurality of matching circuits corresponding to each broadband frequency are arranged in parallel, and When passing the F1 frequency band, the F2 and F3 frequency bands are matched to high impedance, and When passing the F2 frequency band, the F1 and F3 frequency bands are matched to high impedance, and A power-free diagnostic detection device that matches the F1 and F2 frequency bands to high impedance when passing the F3 frequency band.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above energy management system is a power-free diagnostic detection device that charges DC energy input from the broadband energy harvester into a capacitor over time.

6. In Paragraph 5, A switch connecting the DC energy output terminal of the energy management system and the capacitor, and A power-free diagnostic detection device comprising a switch control unit that turns off the switch to remove the DC energy input when the voltage of the capacitor reaches a peak value, and turns on the switch to provide the DC energy input when the voltage of the capacitor drops below a predetermined threshold value.

7. In Paragraph 1, A power-free diagnostic detection device that stores combined DC energy in the energy management system by connecting the DC output terminals of broadband energy harvesters operating in each of the above broadband bands into a single terminal.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above communication module is a power-free diagnostic detection device that transmits a unique identification code (ID) of the diagnostic detection device assigned along with output power information for each frequency band through digital modulation.

9. In Paragraph 1, The above-described broadband energy harvester and communication module are a power-free diagnostic detection device that shares a coupler for coupling RF signals transmitted through the transmission path.

10. In a distributed antenna system including the power-free diagnosis detection device of claim 1, The above antenna is provided in multiple distributed antennas, and The above-mentioned power-free diagnostic detection device is a distributed antenna system in which it is installed by being embedded in or integrated into each of the above-mentioned distributed antennas.

11. A method of operation of a diagnostic detection device for receiving an RF signal transmitted from a repeater and outputting it as an RF signal into the air through an antenna via a transmission path, wherein the RF signal output from the antenna is detected, The above diagnostic detection device, (a) A step of coupling RF signals transmitted through the transmission path to obtain RF power for multiple broadband bands; (b) a step of managing the RF power obtained in step (a) above and storing it as DC energy; (c) a step of providing a corresponding power detection port for monitoring DC voltages for multiple broadband bands in step (a) above, and monitoring output power in each frequency band through the power detection port; a method of operation of a diagnostic detection device.

12. A method of operation of a distributed antenna system equipped with the diagnostic detection device of claim 11, The above antenna is provided in multiple distributed antennas, and (d) A method of operation of a distributed antenna system, further comprising the step of remotely diagnosing the operating status of the distributed antenna through the monitored output power information transmitted in step (c) and the unique ID information of the diagnostic detection device.

13. In Paragraph 12, A method of operation of a distributed antenna system, wherein the remote diagnosis step further includes a step of determining that the distributed antenna is normal if the output power level monitored in each broadband band through the power detection port is greater than or equal to a set normal value, and determining that the antenna is abnormal otherwise, thereby diagnosing a fault.

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