Distributed Antenna Delay Measurement Using End-to-End Pinging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for adjusting delay in distributed antenna systems are complex and costly, often relying on GPS or other positioning technologies, which add unnecessary complexity and expense.
Innovation Solution
A method for calculating delay in distributed antenna systems using end-to-end pinging to determine signal path delays between remote and host nodes, eliminating the need for additional positioning systems and allowing each remote node to adjust its transmissions independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional GPS-based positioning techniques are used to determine delay values for remote units, then delay adjustment accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the GPS positioning subsystem from the distributed antenna system. Instead of using external GPS receivers at each remote unit, the invention uses the existing communication infrastructure between host and remote units to measure and determine delay values through message exchange techniques, thereby removing the complex and costly GPS hardware while maintaining delay measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces communication messages (ping initiation messages, ping reply messages, delay request messages, delay response messages) as intermediaries to transfer timing information between host and remote units. These messages serve as carriers for delay measurement data, replacing the need for direct GPS satellite signals and enabling delay determination through the existing communication medium
2Measurement precision
If GPS positioning technology is deployed across all remote units, then delay synchronization precision is improved, but system cost increases due to additional hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing communication messages serve multiple functions: they carry both data transmission and timing measurement functions. The same communication infrastructure used for normal antenna signal distribution is also used for delay measurement, eliminating the need for separate GPS hardware and reducing overall system component quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed antenna system performs its own delay measurement and synchronization using its existing communication capabilities. Each remote unit can independently determine its delay value by exchanging timing messages with the host unit, making the system self-sufficient without external GPS infrastructure
3Measurement precision
If GPS receivers are installed at each remote unit, then delay measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased installation and maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the delay measurement function with the existing communication function. The same communication paths and protocols used for antenna signal distribution are combined with timing message exchange, eliminating separate GPS installation and maintenance requirements while maintaining measurement accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A method for calculating delay in a distributed antenna system includes sending a ping initiation message from a remote node to a host node in a distributed antenna system. The ping initiation message uniquely identifies a first communication port of the remote node to the host node with a unique identification. The method also includes receiving a ping reply message at the remote node. The ping reply message corresponds to the ping initiation message and also uniquely identifies the first communication port of the remote node with the unique identification. The method also includes determining, at the remote node, whether the ping reply message corresponds to the first communication port of the remote node based on the unique identification. The method also includes, when the ping reply message corresponds to the first communication port of the remote node, calculating the round-trip time delay between sending the ping initiation message and receiving the ping reply message at the remote node.