Daisy-Chained DAS Remote Unit Rings for Self-Healing Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless network operators face challenges in maximizing DAS network capacity while maintaining cost-effectiveness and high remote unit availability, particularly due to issues with electronic and optical connections that can lead to failures and reduced availability.
Innovation Solution
A distributed antenna system with Digital Access Units (DAUs) and Digital Remote Units (DRUs) configured in daisy-chained ring configurations for fault tolerance, dynamic load balancing, and self-healing capabilities, using optical transport to manage packet traffic and optimize radio resource efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional DAS architectures are used with electronic and optical connections, then the system can be deployed, but connection failures occur leading to reduced remote unit availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the DAS network into multiple independent DAU units, each capable of operating autonomously. This segmentation isolates connection failures to specific segments, preventing system-wide outages and maintaining remote unit availability even when individual connections fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by rerouting traffic through alternative paths when connection parameters degrade. The intelligent transport layer monitors connection quality and adjusts routing parameters in real-time to maintain availability despite physical connection failures.
2Productivity
If DAS networks are deployed to meet high data-traffic growth rates, then network capacity increases, but deployment costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The DAU units are designed as universal, multi-functional components that can handle multiple radio access technologies and traffic types through a single platform. This universality allows networks to scale capacity by adding identical modular units rather than deploying specialized equipment for each function, reducing overall deployment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic resource allocation and flexible configuration that allows the network to adapt to varying traffic demands without rigid re-deployment. This dynamic capability enables capacity expansion through software configuration and intelligent routing rather than complex physical reconfiguration.
3Reliability
If redundant transport facilities are added to improve reliability, then self-healing capabilities increase, but installation and lease costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-healing capabilities through automated monitoring and routing functions that detect connection failures and reroute traffic without human intervention. This self-service approach provides robust reliability and self-healing without requiring expensive manual restoration services or overly complex redundant infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The intelligent transport layer acts as an intermediary that manages connectivity between DAU units and remote units. It provides cost-effective redundancy by intelligently routing traffic through available paths rather than requiring dedicated redundant physical infrastructure, achieving self-healing at lower installation and lease costs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is a novel utility of a software defined radio (SDR) based Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that is field reconfigurable and support multi-modulation schemes (modulation-independent), multi-carriers, multi-frequency bands and multi-channels. More specifically, the present invention relates to a DAS utilizing one or more Daisy-Chained Rings of Remote Units. The present invention enables a high degree of flexibility to manage, control, enhance, facilitate the usage and performance of a distributed wireless network such as Flexible Simulcast, automatic traffic load-balancing, network and radio resource optimization, network calibration, autonomous/assisted commissioning, carrier pooling, automatic frequency selection, frequency carrier placement, traffic monitoring, traffic tagging, pilot beacon, etc. As a result, a DAS in accordance with the present invention can increase the efficiency and traffic capacity of the operators' wireless network.