Distributed Antenna Reconfiguration Using Base Station Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for reconfiguring distributed antenna systems (DAS) are limited by the lack of access to comprehensive data, leading to suboptimal configurations that fail to meet changing capacity and performance requirements.
Innovation Solution
A controller is introduced to obtain higher-layer data from base stations, enabling it to determine and implement an updated configuration of the DAS using a control loop, adjusting sector profiles and zone allocations based on current performance parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional base station topology is used with base stations located within cells, then network coverage can be maintained, but network flexibility and adaptability to changing capacity requirements are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional base station functionality into separate components: a master unit that handles control and coordination functions, and multiple remote antenna units that handle radio frequency operations. This segmentation allows the network to be reconfigured by redistributing remote antenna units across different cells, providing flexibility without requiring physical relocation of entire base stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The master unit acts as an intermediary between the core network and remote antenna units. It manages the distribution of traffic and control signals to appropriate remote antenna units, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of network capacity and coverage without direct intervention in each remote unit's operation.
2Measurement precision
If DAS reconfiguration is performed without access to higher-layer base station data, then system complexity is reduced, but optimization precision and performance improvement are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors key performance indicators from base stations including throughput, load, and quality metrics. This feedback loop enables the controller to make informed reconfiguration decisions, dynamically adjusting DAS parameters to optimize network performance based on actual operating conditions rather than static pre-configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to handle multiple functions: collecting data from multiple base stations, analyzing performance metrics, making optimization decisions, and executing reconfiguration commands. This multi-functional design consolidates complexity into a single intelligent component rather than distributing it across multiple specialized systems.
3Productivity
If manual DAS reconfiguration is performed, then configuration accuracy can be controlled, but reconfiguration time and operational efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the controller autonomously monitors network performance, determines optimal configurations, and executes reconfiguration without human intervention. The automated controller accesses higher-layer base station data, analyzes performance metrics, and adjusts DAS parameters dynamically, eliminating manual configuration steps while maintaining optimization accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the number of remote antenna units per cell is fixed, then system stability is maintained, but capacity adjustment flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static configuration where the number of remote antenna units per cell is fixed, to a dynamic configuration where the controller can dynamically allocate and reallocate remote antenna units based on real-time network conditions. This dynamic capability allows capacity to be adjusted flexibly while the automated control mechanism maintains system stability through coordinated reconfiguration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A telecommunications system includes a distributed antenna system (DAS) having a master unit communicatively coupled to remote antenna units (RAUs) located remotely from the master unit, the master unit communicatively coupled to base stations; and a controller communicatively coupled to the base stations and the DAS. The controller is configured to obtain current base station performance parameter(s) including base station load data or overhead communications data from the base stations; determine an updated configuration for the DAS based on the current base station performance parameter(s), the configuration of the DAS comprising an assignment of the RAUs to one or more coverage zones and an assignment of a zone profile to each of the one or more coverage zones; and adjust the assignment of RAUs to the one or more coverage zones and/or the zone profile of each coverage zone to correspond to the determined updated configuration for the DAS.