OpenFlow-Based Distributed Antenna System Traffic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed antenna systems face inefficiencies in traffic transmission and compatibility with other vendor products due to static transmission policies, lacking scalability and ease of operation, especially when integrating with software-defined networking technologies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an OpenFlow protocol to dynamically control traffic transmission policies across distributed antenna systems, enabling flexible reconfiguration and integration with software-defined networks, thereby enhancing compatibility and operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a static transmission policy is used in distributed antenna systems, then the system configuration is simple and stable, but traffic transmission efficiency is low and cannot adapt to dynamic network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static to dynamic transmission policies. The SDN controller dynamically adjusts traffic transmission policies based on real-time network conditions, resource utilization, and service requirements. This allows the distributed antenna system to adapt traffic routing, bandwidth allocation, and resource assignment dynamically, improving transmission efficiency without requiring complex hardware reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/configuration complexity with software-based control. Instead of physically reconfiguring the distributed antenna system or using complex hardware switches, the invention uses SDN software controllers to manage traffic policies. This substitution of mechanical reconfiguration with software programming simplifies the physical system while enabling dynamic adaptation through protocol-based control planes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vendor-specific proprietary protocols are used, then the system can be tightly optimized for specific hardware, but compatibility with other vendor products is poor and interoperability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by adopting the OpenFlow protocol as a standardized interface between the distributed antenna system and SDN controllers. OpenFlow provides vendor-neutral, standardized packet handling and control mechanisms that enable interoperability across different hardware vendors. The system maintains optimized performance through protocol-standardized functions while gaining compatibility with multi-vendor SDN controllers and network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces OpenFlow as an intermediary protocol layer between the distributed antenna system and various vendor-specific implementations. This intermediary standardized protocol enables communication and control between diverse hardware platforms without requiring vendor-specific proprietary interfaces, thus achieving both compatibility and maintained performance through standardization.
3Ease of operation
If the distributed antenna system evolves to support software-defined networking, then scalability and ease of operation are improved, but the initial implementation complexity and standardization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control plane functions from the data plane by implementing SDN architecture. The complex control logic, policy management, and routing decisions are separated into an external SDN controller that communicates with the distributed antenna system through standardized OpenFlow interfaces. This extraction places implementation complexity in the standardized control layer while keeping the data plane simple and易于操作.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service through automated SDN-controlled policy management. The SDN controller automatically discovers network conditions, dynamically adjusts traffic policies, and reconfigures the distributed antenna system without manual intervention. This automation improves ease of operation by allowing the system to self-optimize based on real-time conditions while the standardized OpenFlow protocol handles the complexity of control-plane communications.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a distributed antenna system (DAS). The DAS includes a DAS controller, which is an OpenFlow controller, and one or more DAS units in order to dynamically control a traffic transmission policy of the DAS units using an OpenFlow protocol, wherein the DAS controller generates and changes a traffic transmission policy by reflecting a traffic transmission policy change request by operator manipulation or a software-defined network supporting application and a need for changing of the traffic transmission policy according to a status of the DAS unit and a status of a port, and the DAS unit transmits received traffic to a destination according to the policy.