Unified Optical Fiber DAS for Multi-Provider Small Cell Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distributed antenna systems (DASs) face challenges in efficiently supporting high-speed data communication services and managing bandwidth for multiple small cell communications within buildings, often requiring extensive cabling and limiting capacity for future service demands.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a unified optical fiber-based DAS that receives and routes small cell communications from multiple service providers over dedicated optical fibers, using media converters to convert electrical signals to optical signals, allowing for centralized management and enhanced security, and supporting both small cell and non-small cell communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional RF-based DAS is used to distribute cellular communications, then coverage can be provided in building areas, but the system cannot efficiently support high-speed data communication services and multiple small cell communications from different service providers
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments communications from multiple small cell service providers into separate optical fibers, with each fiber dedicated to a specific service provider. This segmentation allows each provider's traffic to be independently managed and transmitted without interference, enabling the system to support multiple providers simultaneously while maintaining organizational clarity and reducing management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber-based DAS is designed to be universally compatible with communications from multiple different small cell service providers. The system can handle various types of communications traffic (cellular, data, voice) from different providers through a unified optical infrastructure, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to diverse communication services without requiring provider-specific infrastructure.
2Area of stationary object
If extensive cabling is deployed to support multiple service providers, then coverage can be expanded, but the amount of cabling increases and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple service provider communications onto a unified optical fiber infrastructure. By combining the distribution function for multiple providers into a single integrated system, the patent reduces the total amount of cabling required compared to deploying separate independent systems for each provider, while still achieving comprehensive coverage throughout the building.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional RF-based distribution mechanisms with optical fiber technology. This substitution enables longer transmission distances with lower signal loss, allowing coverage to be extended to remote areas of large buildings without requiring proportional increases in cabling quantity or installation complexity.
3Productivity
If conventional DAS architecture is used, then existing infrastructure can be utilized, but bandwidth limitations prevent support for future high-speed data communication demands
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from RF-based transmission to optical fiber transmission, fundamentally changing the physical parameters of the communication medium. Optical fibers provide significantly higher bandwidth capacity and transmission speeds compared to traditional RF systems, enabling the infrastructure to support current high-speed data communication demands and future service requirements without bandwidth limitations.
4Ease of operation
If centralized management is implemented for multiple service providers, then system control is improved, but security risks between different providers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments each service provider's communications into dedicated optical fibers, creating physical isolation between providers while maintaining centralized management capability. This segmentation ensures that security risks are contained within each provider's dedicated fiber, preventing cross-contamination of security threats while allowing the system administrator to centrally manage and monitor all providers through the unified optical infrastructure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the need for new cabling, enables longer distance cable runs, simplifies installations and reconfigurations, and provides enhanced data security and centralized monitoring, effectively addressing bandwidth limitations and supporting diverse communication services.
Implementation Method 1
Each small cell communications switch is configured to provide the small cell communications to a media converter to be converted to an optical small cell communications to be provided over a dedicated optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
Unified optical fiber-based distributed antenna systems (DASs) for supporting small cell communications deployment from multiple small cell service providers are disclosed. The unified optical fiber-based DASs disclosed herein are configured to receive multiple small cell communications from different small cell service providers to be deployed over optical fiber to small cells in the DAS. In this manner, the same DAS architecture can be employed to distribute different small cell communications from different small cell service providers to small cells. Use of optical fiber for delivering small cell communications can reduce the risk of having to deploy new cabling if bandwidth needs for future small cell communication services exceeds conductive wiring capabilities. Optical fiber cabling can also allow for higher distance cable runs to the small cells due to the lower loss of optical fiber, which can provide for enhanced centralization services.