Software-Defined Distributed Antenna Reconfiguration for Indoor Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) face challenges in managing varying subscriber loads, optimizing radio resource usage, and achieving accurate indoor location determination, leading to inefficiencies and high costs due to the need for frequent reconfiguration and separate dedicated devices for location services.
Innovation Solution
A Reconfigurable Distributed Antenna System employing software-defined radio technology with frequency-selective Digital Up-Converters and Down-Converters, integrated Pilot Beacons, and a central Digital Access Unit for flexible simulcast, automatic traffic load-balancing, and enhanced location accuracy, allowing dynamic reconfiguration and efficient use of optical fiber bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If many low-power high-capacity base stations are deployed throughout the facility to accommodate maximum subscriber loading, then quality of service is improved, but total life cycle cost increases due to wasted capacity during low-usage periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of DAS remote units by allowing the system to change the location and quantity of remote units associated with each base station in real-time based on actual subscriber loading conditions. This dynamic adaptation enables capacity to be allocated where needed rather than being statically provisioned for peak loads across all locations, thereby reducing wasted capacity while maintaining quality of service.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed DAS configuration is deployed during the design process, then initial setup is simplified, but the system requires frequent manual reconfiguration when enterprise re-organizations occur, increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed DAS configuration to dynamic reconfigurable DAS where remote units can be automatically reallocated based on current enterprise needs. The patent enables this by implementing software-controlled assignment of remote units to base stations, allowing the network topology to adapt to organizational changes without requiring physical reinstallation or complex manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements autonomous self-organization capabilities where the DAS system automatically detects changes in subscriber loading and enterprise re-organization patterns, then autonomously reconfigures the assignment of remote units to base stations. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention by enterprise IT managers or external technicians, reducing operational complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual reconfiguration of DAS remote units is performed to adapt to changing enterprise needs, then adaptability is improved, but deployment of additional staff resources and increased operational complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements autonomous self-organization where the DAS system automatically monitors subscriber loading patterns and enterprise re-organization events, then autonomously reconfigures the network by reallocating remote units to appropriate base stations. This eliminates the need for additional staff resources and specialized expertise, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high adaptability to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback mechanisms that monitor subscriber loading at each base station and enterprise re-organization patterns. This feedback drives automatic decision-making algorithms that determine optimal remote unit assignments, enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions without manual intervention and reducing the operational burden on enterprise staff.
4Ease of operation
If enterprise IT managers manually monitor and manage DAS remote unit configurations, then some level of control is maintained, but accurate determination of subscriber loading at each remote unit is impractical, leading to suboptimal configuration decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms where the DAS system automatically collects and analyzes subscriber loading data from each remote unit and base station in real-time. This precise measurement capability enables the system to make accurate configuration decisions based on actual loading conditions rather than estimates, eliminating the limitations of manual monitoring while providing automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously performs the function of monitoring and analyzing subscriber loading at each remote unit, eliminating the need for enterprise IT managers to manually gather and interpret this data. The self-service mechanism automatically processes loading information and uses it to optimize remote unit assignments, providing both accurate measurement and automated decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is a novel utility of a software defined radio (SDR) based Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that is field reconfigurable and support multi-modulation schemes (modulation-independent), multi-carriers, multi-frequency bands and multi-channels. The present disclosure enables a high degree of flexibility to manage, control, enhance, facilitate the usage and performance of a distributed wireless network such as flexible simulcast, automatic traffic load-balancing, network and radio resource optimization, network calibration, autonomous/assisted commissioning, carrier pooling, automatic frequency selection, frequency carrier placement, traffic monitoring, traffic tagging, pilot beacon, etc.