Time Synchronized Routing in Distributed Antenna Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Distributed Antenna System (DAS) networks face challenges in managing high data-traffic growth, ensuring cost-effective deployments, and maintaining high availability, while also requiring synchronous signal transmission and reception to achieve optimal SINR performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a DAS network using software configurable radio (SCR) with Digital Access Units (DAUs), Digital Remote Units (DRUs), and Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), along with delay compensation merge units to synchronize signals and enhance radio resource efficiency, flexibility, and performance through flexible simulcast, automatic traffic load-balancing, and network optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If signals are transmitted through multiple DAUs and DRUs in a DAS network, then signal distribution coverage is improved, but signal synchronization and timing alignment deteriorate due to varying transmission paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and configuring delay compensation values in advance for each DRU based on its position in the daisy-chain topology. The system determines the number of hops from each DRU to the DAU and pre-configures the delay compensation merge units to introduce appropriate time delays, ensuring that signals from all DRUs arrive synchronized at the DAU without requiring real-time adjustment during operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If delay compensation merge units are added to each DRU to synchronize signals, then signal synchronization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the delay compensation function into discrete delay compensation merge units that are distributed to individual DRUs. Each unit independently handles timing alignment for its associated DRU, allowing the complex synchronization task to be broken down into manageable, modular components that can be configured and managed separately rather than requiring a centralized complex synchronization system.
3Productivity
If the DAS network topology is reconfigured to improve capacity utilization, then productivity is improved, but signal routing and timing calibration become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a software-configurable routing system that allows the DAS network topology to be dynamically reconfigured based on traffic demands and capacity requirements. The system can adjust signal paths, activate or deactivate specific DRUs, and modify routing tables without physical reconfiguration, enabling flexible adaptation to changing network conditions while maintaining synchronization through software-controlled delay compensation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for routing signals in a Distributed Antenna System includes a plurality of Digital Access Units (DAUs) and a plurality of Digital Remote Units (DRUs). The plurality of DAUs are coupled and operable to route signals between the plurality of DAUs. The plurality of DRUs are coupled to the plurality of DAUs and operable to transport signals between DRUs and DAUs. The system also includes a plurality of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) and a plurality of Base Transceiver Station sector RF connections coupled to the plurality of DAUs and operable to route signals between the plurality of DAUs and the plurality of Base Transceiver Stations sector RF port connections. The system further includes one or more delay compensation merge units operable to delay signals transmitted from or received by each of the plurality of DRUs.