Frequency Shifting in Multi-Frequency DAS to Reduce Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Distributed antenna systems (DASs) face interference issues due to non-linear signal processing components generating out-of-band harmonics, which can lead to frequency band interference, limiting dynamic range and requiring power reduction to mitigate these issues.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a frequency shifting mechanism in DASs to predict and shift communications signals, thereby moving interfering signal products outside the frequency range of other signals, allowing for higher signal-to-noise ratios without power limitations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If non-linear signal processing components are used in DAS, then signal processing capability is improved, but out-of-band harmonics are generated causing frequency band interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal processing capabilityVSAvoidout-of-band harmonics
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent predicts harmful harmonic frequencies generated by non-linear components and proactively shifts communication signal frequencies to avoid these harmful frequencies. This converts the potential harm of harmonics into a benefit by using the prediction information to optimize frequency allocation and prevent interference before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary prediction of harmonic frequencies before actual signal transmission. By calculating and identifying potential interfering frequencies in advance, the system can pre-adjust communication signal frequencies to avoid interference, rather than reacting to interference after it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If power reduction is applied to mitigate harmonic interference, then frequency band interference is reduced, but dynamic range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band interferenceVSAvoiddynamic range
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly reducing power across all signals, the patent dynamically changes frequency parameters of communication signals based on predicted harmonic locations. This allows maintaining optimal power levels and dynamic range while avoiding specific frequency ranges where harmonics would cause interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If frequency shifting is implemented to avoid harmonics, then frequency interference is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency interferenceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors actual signal conditions, compares them with predicted harmonic frequencies, and adjusts communication signal frequencies accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures interference avoidance while adapting to changing system conditions without requiring overly complex predetermined configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This approach effectively reduces frequency interference, enhancing signal quality and maintaining dynamic range by shifting signals to avoid harmonics, thus improving overall system performance.

Implementation Method 1

a first frequency shifting circuit configured to frequency shift the at least one first communications signal from a first frequency to a shifted first communications signal at a shifted first frequency based on a first frequency control signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency mixing: Heterodyne

Data Source

PatentEP3198732B1Frequency shifting a communications signal(s) in a multi-frequency distributed antenna system (DAS) to avoid or reduce frequency interference
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 CORNING OPTICAL COMM WIRELESS LTD
  • EP3198732B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3198732B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3198732B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Frequency shifting a communications signal(s) in a multiple frequency (multi- frequency) distributed antenna system (DAS) to avoid or reduce frequency interference is disclosed. Related devices, methods, and DASs are disclosed. Non-limiting examples of frequency interference include frequency band interference and frequency channel interference. As a non-limiting example, frequency interference in a multi-frequency DAS may result from non-linearity of a signal processing component generating an out-of-band harmonic of a first, in-use communications, signal in a first frequency band, within different frequency band(s) of other in- use communications signal(s). To avoid or reduce such interference, embodiments disclosed herein involve predicting frequency interference that may result from processing received, in-use communications signals in multiple frequency bands to be distributed in a multi-frequency DAS. Frequency shifting is performed to avoid or reduce any interfering signal products produced from the signal processing of any in-use communications signals, from interfering in the frequencies of other in-use communications signals,