Software-Defined DAS Reconfiguration for Self-Healing Capacity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless network operators face challenges in maximizing DAS network capacity while ensuring cost-effective deployments and high DAS remote unit availability, particularly due to frequent changes in network conditions and subscriber needs, and the reliability of electronic and optical connections.
Innovation Solution
A distributed antenna system with Digital Access Units (DAUs) and Digital Remote Units (DRUs) configured in daisy-chained or ring configurations, utilizing optical transport for fault tolerance, dynamic load balancing, and self-healing features, enabling flexible simulcast, traffic management, and adaptive resource optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If DAS networks employ traditional architectures with fixed transport facilities, then deployment costs are reduced, but network capacity and flexibility to meet high data-traffic growth rates are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic flexibility through software-defined networking (SDN) control that enables real-time reconfiguration of DAS network topology and resource allocation. The system can dynamically adjust network capacity, reroute traffic, and adapt to changing data-traffic growth rates without physical redeployment, resolving the contradiction between network flexibility and system complexity by making the system adaptable through software rather than hardware changes.
2Reliability
If DAS networks deploy redundant transport facilities for self-healing capabilities, then network availability is improved, but installation and lease costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-healing capabilities through automated fault detection, isolation, and recovery mechanisms that operate without human intervention. The SDN controller monitors network health, detects failures in transport facilities, and automatically reroutes traffic through alternative paths or activates backup resources, enabling the system to self-repair and maintain high availability without requiring extensive redundant infrastructure or costly emergency restoration services.
3Adaptability or versatility
If DAS networks use traditional fixed architectures, then installation costs are reduced, but ability to accommodate frequent changes in building use and facility needs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal DAS network architecture that can serve multiple functions and adapt to various building uses through software configuration. The system provides multi-functionality by enabling a single physical infrastructure to support different network topologies, service types, and capacity requirements through programmable control, allowing frequent reconfiguration to accommodate changing facility needs without requiring separate dedicated infrastructure for each use case.
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 invention 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. As a result, a DAS in accordance with the present invention can increase the efficiency and traffic capacity of the operators' wireless network.