Distributed Antenna Protocol Conversion for Bandwidth Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed antenna systems face inefficiencies in transporting wireless network information due to the use of less efficient baseband IQ samples, which require higher bandwidth and are not optimized for existing infrastructure like Category building cabling.
Innovation Solution
Converting wireless network information into more efficient MAC PDUs for transport, allowing for lower bandwidth media usage such as Category 5 to Category 7 cabling, and utilizing a protocol layer conversion from physical to MAC layers to enhance bandwidth efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If baseband IQ samples are used for transporting wireless network information, then complete signal information is transmitted, but bandwidth consumption increases and existing infrastructure cannot be efficiently utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary control information from the complete baseband IQ samples by identifying and transporting MAC PDU fields that are essential for distributed antenna system operation. This selective extraction reduces bandwidth consumption while maintaining the reliability needed for system function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by converting baseband IQ samples into MAC PDU format, which uses a different data structure and encoding scheme optimized for distributed antenna transport. This parameter transformation reduces the quantity of data that needs to be transmitted while preserving essential signal control information.
2Reliability
If baseband IQ samples are used for transport, then full signal fidelity is maintained, but compatibility with existing infrastructure like Category building cabling is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the signal representation from baseband IQ samples to MAC PDU format, which is better suited for transport over existing infrastructure. This parameter change maintains compatibility with Category building cabling while preserving the essential control information needed for signal fidelity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complete baseband signal into discrete MAC PDU fields that can be independently transported and reassembled. This segmentation allows the information to be efficiently packaged for transport over existing infrastructure while maintaining the ability to reconstruct the original signal fidelity at the destination.
3Productivity
If MAC PDUs are used instead of baseband IQ samples, then bandwidth efficiency improves and lower bandwidth media can be used, but conversion complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by converting from baseband IQ sample format to MAC PDU format, which achieves superior bandwidth efficiency. The conversion process, while adding some complexity, is facilitated by standardized MAC PDU structures that streamline the transformation and enable efficient transport over lower bandwidth media.
4Quantity of substance
If MAC PDUs are used for transport, then data transmission requirements are reduced, but protocol conversion from physical to MAC layers is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces MAC PDU as an intermediary format between the physical layer baseband IQ samples and the transport medium. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall conversion process by providing a standardized intermediate representation that reduces data transmission requirements while managing protocol conversion complexity in a structured manner.
Data Source
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AI summary
A distributed antenna system includes a host unit configured to receive downlink wireless network information from a radio access network interface and at least one antenna unit communicatively coupled to the host unit by at least one digital communication link. Host unit is configured to convert downlink wireless network information received from radio access network interface from first protocol layer to second protocol layer. Second protocol layer uses relevant bits more efficiently than first protocol layer. Host unit is configured to communicate downlink wireless network information to at least one antenna unit across at least one digital communication link. At least one antenna unit is configured to convert downlink wireless network information communicated from host unit from second protocol layer to downlink radio frequency signals. At least one antenna unit is configured to communicate downlink radio frequency signals wirelessly using at least one antenna.