Distributed Antenna Remote Unit Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Distributed antenna systems (DAS) face challenges in efficiently processing both baseband channels for wireless communication and wideband data across the entire network spectrum, limiting their ability to optimize and configure system components effectively.

Innovation Solution

A DAS configuration that allows remote units to switch between baseband mode and measurement receiver mode, where in baseband mode, a subset of baseband channels are transmitted, and in measurement receiver mode, wideband data including measurement data for system configuration is transmitted, enabling the head-end unit to modify system configurations and optimize network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the remote unit transmits only a subset of baseband channels in baseband mode, then wireless communication information is efficiently transmitted, but additional information for system optimization and configuration is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork spectrum information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The remote unit dynamically switches between baseband mode and measurement receiver mode based on operational requirements. In baseband mode, it transmits only necessary communication channels for efficient wireless communication. In measurement receiver mode, it captures wideband data across the entire network spectrum for system optimization. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the transmission content to current needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The remote unit is designed with multi-functionality to perform both baseband channel transmission and wideband spectrum measurement. The same hardware infrastructure supports dual operational modes, allowing the system to efficiently transmit communication data when needed while also capturing comprehensive spectrum information for optimization, thus eliminating the trade-off between communication efficiency and information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the remote unit is configured to process both baseband data and wideband data, then system optimization capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem optimization capabilityVSAvoidremote unit configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remote unit employs dynamic mode switching between baseband mode and measurement receiver mode, allowing it to process only the required data type at any given time. This temporal separation of functions enables the system to achieve both baseband communication and wideband measurement capabilities without requiring simultaneous processing of both data types, thereby reducing the effective complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the remote unit transmits wideband data for system configuration, then network spectrum utilization is optimized, but transmission bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork spectrum utilizationVSAvoidtransmission data volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic switching between baseband mode and measurement receiver mode rather than continuous transmission of wideband data. The measurement receiver mode is activated periodically to gather spectrum information for optimization, while baseband mode handles continuous communication traffic. This periodic action reduces overall transmission data volume while still achieving spectrum optimization benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3108596B1Distributed antenna system measurement receiver
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3108596B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3108596B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3108596B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Certain features relate to configuring a remote unit in a distributed antenna system (DAS) to switch between a baseband mode of operation and a measurement receiver mode of operation. In the baseband mode of operation, the remote unit can transmit a subset of baseband channels to a head-end unit or an extension unit of the DAS. The subset of baseband channels can carry wireless communication information. In the measurement receiver mode, the remote unit can transmit wideband data to the head-end unit or the extension unit of the DAS. The wideband data can include one or more of a measurement data for additional baseband channels other than the subset of baseband channels and information for use by the head-end unit to modify a configuration of the distributed antenna system.