Distributed Antenna Signal Routing for Indoor Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distributed antenna systems face challenges in providing effective indoor wireless communication coverage due to signal attenuation caused by building structures, limiting the performance of mobile units located indoors.
Innovation Solution
A distributed antenna system comprising a base transceiver station with multiple output ports generating downlink signals with overlapping frequencies and distributed antenna units with non-overlapping or partially overlapping coverage areas, along with a multi-port hub that routes downlink and uplink signals to optimize communication through reconfigurable interfaces and signal routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional distributed antenna systems are used to provide indoor coverage, then coverage area is extended, but signal attenuation caused by building structures limits communication quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the base station functionality by separating the base transceiver station from multiple distributed antenna units. Each antenna unit is independently controlled and can be strategically positioned to optimize indoor coverage, allowing the system to extend coverage area while maintaining communication quality through distributed signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
A signal routing apparatus acts as an intermediary between the base transceiver station and distributed antenna units. This intermediary intelligently routes downlink signals to appropriate antenna units based on mobile unit locations and channel conditions, overcoming signal attenuation by selecting optimal transmission paths through the distributed antenna network.
2Productivity
If multiple antennas are co-located for MIMO configurations, then throughput is improved, but indoor penetration loss remains significant
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from horizontal co-location of antennas (MIMO in the same location) to vertical/distributed placement of antenna units throughout the indoor environment. This dimensional change allows signals to be transmitted from multiple spatial locations, reducing penetration loss by avoiding obstacles that block line-of-sight paths from co-located antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different antenna units are deployed in different locations with different transmission characteristics optimized for their local environments. Each antenna unit provides localized coverage with quality tailored to its specific indoor zone, overcoming the limitation of uniform co-located MIMO antennas that cannot adapt to local penetration conditions.
3Area of stationary object
If downlink signals with overlapping frequencies are transmitted through distributed antennas, then coverage is extended, but interference between signals may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The signal routing apparatus incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor signal conditions and dynamically adjust signal routing decisions. By receiving information about current channel conditions, mobile unit locations, and interference levels, the system intelligently routes downlink signals to minimize interference while maintaining extended coverage through the distributed antenna network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts signal routing assignments based on real-time conditions rather than using static frequency-to-antenna mappings. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to manage overlapping frequency signals effectively by rerouting around interference conditions, maintaining coverage area while reducing harmful interference through flexible, condition-based signal distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment is directed to a distributed antenna system that comprises a hub to receive a plurality of downlink transceiver signals output from a plurality of transceiver units and to send a plurality of uplink transceiver signals to the plurality of transceiver units. The plurality of downlink transceiver signals has overlapping frequencies and contains different communication content. The distributed antenna system further comprises a plurality of distributed antenna units, each located at a respective a remote location. The hub is configured to route a respective downlink transport signal to each of a plurality of distributed antennas, wherein each of the downlink transport signals is derived from one of the plurality of downlink transceiver signals received at the hub. Each of the distributed antenna units is configured to transmit a respective downlink radio frequency signal derived from the downlink transport signal that is routed to that distributed antenna unit.