Digital Multiplexer Units for Distributed Antenna Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless network operators face challenges in managing high data-traffic growth rates and ensuring adequate wireless capacity and data throughput, particularly due to subscriber mobility and increased multimedia content demands, which conventional Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A Distributed Antenna System utilizing software-defined radio (SDR) with Digital Multiplexer Units (DMUs) and Digital Remote Units (DRUs) that route digital signals between Base Band Units (BBUs) and DRUs, eliminating the need for RF to digital and digital to RF conversions, thereby reducing hardware requirements, signal degradation, and system costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional Distributed Antenna Systems are used to provide wireless coverage, then basic signal distribution is achieved, but the system cannot effectively manage high data-traffic growth rates and subscriber mobility demands
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic resource allocation where digital signal paths can be reconfigured in real-time based on traffic demands. The digital multiplexer units allow flexible routing of digital signals to different antenna groups, enabling the system to adapt to changing subscriber patterns such as lunchtime cafeteria congestion or mobile user movements throughout the facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter from fixed RF signal distribution to dynamically reconfigurable digital signal routing. By maintaining signals in digital form and using software-controlled multiplexing, the system can rapidly adjust signal distribution parameters to match varying data traffic requirements without physical reconfiguration.
2Ease of operation
If RF to digital and digital to RF conversions are performed in the system, then signal distribution is achieved, but hardware complexity and system costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the RF conversion components from the signal distribution path. By keeping signals entirely in digital form from the base station through the multiplexer units to the antennas, the system removes the need for RF to digital and digital to RF converters, thereby reducing hardware complexity and system costs while maintaining full signal distribution capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If digital signals are routed between multiple Digital Multiplexer Units, then network flexibility and adaptability improve, but signal routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital multiplexer units are designed with universal functionality to handle multiple signal routing scenarios. Each DMU can route digital signals to different antenna groups based on configurable parameters, allowing the same hardware component to serve multiple functions and reducing overall system complexity despite the flexible routing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for routing signals in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) includes one or more Base Band Units (BBUs). Each of the one or more BBUs has one or more digital outputs. The system also includes a plurality of Digital Multiplexer Units (DMUs) coupled to each other and operable to route signals between the plurality of DMUs. Each of the plurality of DMUs is operable to receive one or more digital inputs from the one or more BBUs. The system further includes a plurality of Digital Remote Units (DRUs) coupled to the plurality of DMUs and operable to transport signals between the plurality of DRUs and one or more of the plurality of DMUs.