Distributed Antenna Delay Management via Internal Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distributed antenna systems face complexity and cost issues in synchronizing delay values across remote units due to the use of location-based synchronization techniques like GPS, which adds overhead and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing delay in distributed antenna systems by discovering transport delay values between nodes, generating signal path delay values, and propagating them through the network, allowing each node to adjust its delay independently without relying on external timing references, using a distributed approach with delay monitor and management channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS-based synchronization is used to establish delay values for remote units, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from external GPS-based systems and implements it internally within the distributed antenna system itself. The host unit generates synchronization signals and delay values that are distributed to remote units through the existing network infrastructure, eliminating the need for external GPS receivers at each remote unit while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The host unit acts as an intermediary that centralizes the synchronization function. It calculates appropriate delay values for each remote unit based on their distances and distributes these delay values through the network, mediating the synchronization process without requiring each remote unit to independently access GPS satellites.
2Measurement precision
If GPS-based synchronization is used to establish delay values for remote units, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but operating cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive GPS hardware and associated operating costs from each remote unit by extracting the synchronization function and implementing it centrally at the host unit, which then distributes delay values through the existing network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-synchronization by having the host unit automatically calculate and distribute delay values to remote units based on their network distances, eliminating the need for external GPS services and reducing ongoing operating costs.
3Device complexity
If centralized delay management is implemented without distributed delay values, then system simplicity is maintained, but signal path synchronization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the delay management function by distributing individual delay values to each remote unit while maintaining centralized control at the host unit. This allows each remote unit to independently compensate for its specific signal path delay, ensuring precise synchronization without requiring complex centralized real-time control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The host unit performs preliminary calculations to determine the appropriate delay values for each remote unit based on their distances and network configurations. These delay values are pre-configured in the remote units before operation, enabling automatic synchronization without requiring complex real-time centralized control.
Data Source
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AI summary
A node (104) in a distributed antenna system (100), and a method for programming a delay for the node (104), are disclosed. The node (104) receives a selected path delay value for the node, wherein the selected path delay value identifies a desired end-to-end path transport delay between the node (104) and a host node (102) in the distributed antenna system (100); The node also receives a signal path delay, wherein the signal path delay value identifies a delay for signals communicated between the node (104) and the host node (102), the signal path delay value comprising an aggregation of at least one path transport delay calculated by at least one further node (104) adjacent to the node (104) for at least one segment of the distributed antenna system (100) between the node (104) and the host node (102), wherein each path transport delay of the at least one path transport delay of the aggregation identifies travel time between two adjacent nodes (104) in the distributed antenna system (100). A node processor (108) calculates an additional forward path delay and an additional reverse path delay necessary to meet the selected path delay value based on the signal path delay value and the selected path delay value.