Dynamic DAS Signal Routing via Software Configurable Radio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) face challenges in managing varying wireless subscriber loading throughout the day and across different days of the week, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and potential service quality issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a software configurable radio (SCR) within a DAS, utilizing coupled remote Digital Access Units (DAUs), allows for dynamic reconfiguration and efficient routing of signals, enabling flexible simulcast and automatic traffic load-balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed DAS architecture is used, then signal distribution is simple, but adaptability to varying subscriber loads is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of the DAS architecture by enabling remote DAUs to be dynamically associated with different base station sectors through software control. This allows the system to adapt to varying subscriber loads by redistributing remote units across different base station sectors based on real-time traffic conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and architectural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal DAS architecture where remote DAUs can serve multiple base station sectors dynamically. By implementing a pool of remote DAUs that can be allocated to different sectors based on load conditions, the system achieves multi-functionality, allowing the same hardware resources to serve different purposes at different times, thus improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If network resources are sized for peak load, then service quality during peak times is maintained, but resource utilization during low traffic periods is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the association between remote DAUs and base station sectors is not fixed but can be changed in real-time based on traffic conditions. During peak load periods, additional remote units can be allocated to heavily loaded sectors to maintain service quality, while during low traffic periods, resources are consolidated to improve utilization efficiency, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the DAS by dynamically adjusting which remote DAUs are associated with which base station sectors. This parameter change allows the system to optimize resource allocation based on varying load conditions, ensuring service quality during peak times while improving overall resource utilization during lower traffic periods.
3Productivity
If remote DAUs are interconnected, then traffic load-balancing is enabled, but signal routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism that manages the interconnection and signal routing between remote DAUs. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of routing and load-balancing decisions, allowing remote DAUs to be interconnected for traffic distribution while the control system manages the routing complexity, thus enabling load-balancing capability without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for routing signals in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) includes one or more local Digital Access Units (DAUs) located at a local location and one or more remote DAUs located at one or more remote locations. Each of the one or more local DAUs includes an optical port coupled to an upstream unit. The upstream unit includes at least one of a repeater, a baseband unit, a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), or a DAU. The one or more remote DAUs are coupled to the one or more local DAUs via one or more optical cables. A distance between the local location and each of the one or more remote locations is greater than two kilometers.