Distributed Antenna Power Balancing for Multi-Band Indoor Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distributed antenna systems face challenges in providing satisfactory wireless coverage, especially with signals from different frequency bands or operators, and have high construction costs and inflexibility, which are exacerbated by the weak penetration and interference issues of 5G millimeter waves in indoor environments.
Innovation Solution
An improved distributed antenna system that includes a power regulating unit to balance power across different frequency bands, supporting multiple frequency bands and operators, and uses optical fiber transmission for enhanced coverage and flexibility, with components like power balance master units, attenuators, detectors, and optical network extenders to ensure consistent signal power and wideband transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If outdoor base stations are used for indoor coverage, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but signal coverage performance deteriorates due to weak penetration and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the antenna function by separating the base station into a central control unit and multiple distributed antenna nodes. Each antenna node is independently deployed in the coverage area, enabling localized signal transmission that overcomes penetration issues while maintaining system-level cost efficiency through shared infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional outdoor base station coverage to three-dimensional indoor coverage by distributing antenna nodes throughout the indoor space. This spatial redistribution enables signals to be transmitted from multiple elevations and locations, improving penetration through buildings and obstacles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If current distributed antenna systems support multiple frequency bands and operators, then system versatility improves, but system complexity and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna nodes are designed with universal functionality to handle multiple frequency bands and operators through a single unified platform. The central control unit manages signal routing and power allocation across different bands, eliminating the need for separate hardware systems for each operator or frequency band.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions (power amplification, signal processing, frequency band handling) into integrated antenna nodes. By combining these functions at the node level and using a centralized control unit for coordination, the system reduces overall complexity while maintaining multi-band and multi-operator capabilities.
3Reliability
If power is increased to improve signal penetration, then coverage performance improves, but interference and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing power across all antennas, the system applies local quality by allowing each antenna node to transmit at optimized power levels based on its specific location, surrounding environment, and coverage requirements. The central control unit dynamically adjusts individual node powers to achieve adequate penetration without generating excessive interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power control where the central control unit continuously monitors signal conditions and adjusts the transmit power of each antenna node in real-time. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to maintain adequate penetration capability while minimizing interference and power consumption by transmitting at the lowest necessary power levels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves improved wireless coverage and performance by regulating power across various frequency bands, supporting multiple operators, and reducing costs through efficient power management and optical fiber transmission, thereby enhancing indoor 5G signal coverage and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
uses optical fiber transmission for enhanced coverage and flexibility
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a distributed antenna system. The distributed antenna system comprises: a plurality of ports configured to receive downstream signals or transmit upstream signals; a plurality of first antennas configured to transmit the downstream signals or receive the upstream signals; a power regulating unit coupled between the plurality of ports and the plurality of first antennas and configured to transfer and regulate the downstream signals or the upstream signals, wherein the power regulating unit comprises: a plurality of first links respectively corresponding to different frequency bands, and a first power regulating section configured to regulate power of link signals transferred over each first link, such that link signals of different frequency bands transferred over the plurality of first links have substantially the same power. The solution of the present disclosure can support input of signals at multiple frequency bands, achieve power balance and improve system performance and wireless coverage effects.