Optical DAS Signaling for Operator Panel Sync Without Extra Cabling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) used for public safety wireless communications, the existing Operator Control Panel Network (OCPN) requires dedicated cabling for status and setting information, which increases deployment costs and complexity, especially in emergency situations where additional capacity is needed.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an Operator Control Panel Network (OCPN) that shares status and setting information using the same cabling as the DAS for safety wireless service traffic, utilizing a signal interface to synchronize information across multiple DAS domains through remote antenna units, eliminating the need for separate dedicated cabling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate dedicated OCPN is implemented using copper cabling for operator control panels, then reliable status and setting information communication is achieved, but deployment costs and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatus and setting information communicationVSAvoidcabling infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the OCPN communication function with the existing DAS optical cabling infrastructure. Instead of implementing a separate dedicated copper cabling system for operator control panels, the invention combines the status and setting information communication with the optical fibers already deployed for wireless service traffic, thereby eliminating the need for additional dedicated cabling while maintaining reliable communication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing DAS optical cabling infrastructure is made universal by enabling it to carry both wireless service traffic and OCPN status/setting information simultaneously. The optical fibers serve multiple functions: transmitting wireless service signals and carrying operator control panel communication signals, thus eliminating the need for separate dedicated cabling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional base-station-related equipment is provisioned in standby mode for emergency situations, then safety wireless service capacity is improved during emergencies, but deployment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency service capacityVSAvoidequipment quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service monitoring and control of standby equipment through the integrated OCPN. Operator control panels can autonomously monitor the status of standby base stations and equipment, and operators can activate or deactivate standby resources as needed without requiring additional dedicated control infrastructure, thereby managing emergency capacity efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4009536B1Systems and methods for communicating signaling over an optical distributed antenna system
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 ANDREW WIRELESS SYSTEMS GMBH(DE)
  • EP4009536B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4009536B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4009536B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A device (110, 112, 113) for a distributed antenna system (100, 200, 300), DAS, the device (110, 112, 113) comprising downlink DAS circuitry (111, 118, 126) configured to transmit a downlink signal carrying communications received by the DAS (100, 200, 300) from one or more wireless communication system base stations (140) in a downlink direction towards at least one antenna (119) of the DAS (100, 200, 300); uplink DAS circuitry (121, 124, 128) configured to transmit an uplink signal carrying communications received from the at least one antenna (119) in an uplink direction towards the one or more wireless communication system base stations (140); and a controller (130, 247, 252) configured to communicate with a first operator control panel (131) via a cable (152); wherein the controller (130, 247, 252) is configured to synchronize status and setting information, SSI, changes between the first operator control panel (131) and a second operator control panel (131) via signals communicated over the DAS (100, 200, 300) with at least one of the downlink signal and the uplink signal.