O-RAN Split 7.2 Routing Circuit for Multi-Source DCS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distributed communications systems (DCS) face challenges in efficiently supporting multiple signal sources due to the need for multiple remote units, which increases costs and space requirements, especially when different service providers operate on different frequency spectrums.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an open radio access network (O-RAN) Split 7.2 configuration, where a routing circuit generates downlink frequency-domain communications signals including logical channels for remote units, allowing each unit to convert these signals into time-domain signals for concurrent support of multiple signal sources, thereby reducing the need for multiple remote units and improving scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple remote units are deployed to support multiple signal sources, then the system can support multiple service providers, but the cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal remote unit design that can handle multiple signal sources through frequency-division multiplexing. The remote unit is configured to receive and process signals from multiple service providers on different frequency spectrums simultaneously, making a single remote unit perform the function of multiple dedicated units. This is achieved by implementing frequency-selective radio frequency (RF) circuits that can tune to and process multiple frequency channels within one remote unit infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple signal handling capabilities into a single remote unit by merging the RF processing paths for different service providers. Instead of having separate remote units for each service provider, the system merges multiple frequency-division multiplexed signal streams into a unified processing architecture, reducing the total number of remote units needed while maintaining support for multiple signal sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple remote units are used to support different frequency spectrums, then each service provider can operate independently, but the system complexity and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into distinct channels for different service providers while maintaining a unified remote unit structure. Each service provider's signal is assigned to a specific frequency range, and the remote unit uses frequency-selective circuits to process each segment independently. This segmentation allows independent operation of service providers without requiring separate physical remote units, thereby reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frequency-division multiplexing as an intermediary mechanism that enables multiple service providers to share the same remote unit infrastructure. The multiplexing scheme acts as a mediator that separates and manages different frequency spectrums, allowing independent operation while avoiding the complexity of multiple dedicated remote units. The routing circuit and RF processing elements serve as intermediaries that manage the interaction between multiple signal sources and the shared remote unit.
Data Source
AI summary
Supporting multi-signal source communications in a distributed communications system (DCS) is disclosed. The DCS includes a routing circuit configured to route downlink and uplink communications signals between multiple signal sources and a number of remote units. In examples disclosed herein, the routing circuit and each of the remote units are functionally divided based on an open radio access network (O-RAN) Split 7.2 configuration. To support downlink communications from multiple signal sources, the routing circuit generates a downlink frequency-domain communications signal, which includes one or more selected logical channels associated with one or more of the multiple signal sources, for each of the remote units in the DCS. Accordingly, each remote unit converts the downlink frequency-domain communications signal into a downlink time-domain communications signal for transmission in a downlink radio frequency (RF) communications signal. As such, it may be possible to improve scalability while reducing cost and space of the DCS.