PON-Based In-Building Wireless Coverage via RF-Optic Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-building wireless coverage is challenging due to signal attenuation as wireless antennas are typically outside buildings, and existing solutions like repeaters and DAS are mainly used for highly populated locations, leaving a gap in coverage for residential and smaller commercial buildings.
Innovation Solution
A Passive Optical Network (PON) system is used to deliver native wireless signals into buildings, employing a small Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) with an RF/Optic converter and fiber-mounted wireless antenna units to transmit and receive signals, supporting various wireless technologies by converting RF signals to optical and back, ensuring reliable in-building coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wireless antennas are located outside buildings, then device complexity is reduced, but signal attenuation occurs causing degradation of communication quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces PON infrastructure (optical network units, fiber optic cables, and optical line terminals) as an intermediary system to bridge the gap between external wireless antennas and internal users. The optical network units are placed inside buildings to receive and distribute wireless signals via fiber optic cables, serving as mediators that eliminate direct signal penetration through walls while maintaining communication quality.
2Reliability
If repeaters and DAS systems are deployed, then in-building coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing PON infrastructure, which was originally designed for data and voice services, to also provide wireless signal distribution. By making the PON system multi-functional, it can handle both traditional broadband services and wireless in-building coverage, eliminating the need for separate dedicated wireless distribution systems like DAS.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the existing PON network to serve dual purposes by integrating wireless signal distribution capabilities into the optical network units. The same infrastructure that provides internet and telephone services automatically provides wireless coverage without requiring additional dedicated systems, making the network self-sufficient for multiple functions.
3Reliability
If dedicated wideband converters are used for wireless signal conversion, then signal quality is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical network units multi-functional by enabling them to handle both traditional data/voice traffic and wireless signal conversion. The same optical network unit that provides broadband internet service also performs RF-to-optical conversion for wireless signals, eliminating the need for separate dedicated wideband converters.
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
The PON system provides enhanced wireless coverage for residential and commercial buildings by effectively transmitting and receiving wireless signals, improving communication quality and supporting multiple wireless technologies without the need for expensive wideband converters, while being adaptable for both dedicated and shared wavelength methods.
Implementation Method 1
An RF/Optic converter converts base station radio frequency (RF) signals to and from corresponding optical signals
Implementation Method 2
An optical combiner combines signals of the OLT and signals of the RF/Optic converter for communication over the PON
Implementation Method 3
The FMCA obtains the converted wireless base station signals from the PON and converts them back to provide reconverted RF signals for transmission by the FMCA using the wireless antenna, and obtains wireless RF signals from the wireless antenna and converts them to provide optical signals for communication over the PON to the wireless base station at the CO
Data Source
AI summary
A system for communicating wireless signals includes a passive optical network (PON) between a central office (CO) and network subscribers. The CO has an optical line terminal (OLT) and a wireless base station. An RF/Optic converter converts base station radio frequency (RF) signals to and from corresponding optical signals. An optical combiner combines signals of the OLT and signals of the RF/Optic converter for communication over the PON with at least one optical network unit (ONU) at a location of one or more of the network subscribers, so that signals of the OLT and converted wireless base station signals are carried together over the PON. A fiber mounted wireless antenna unit (FMCA) having an optical interface and a wireless antenna, and communicating wireless signals of the wireless antenna with the ONU, including performing conversions between wireless RF signals and optical signals.