Virtualized Distributed Antenna Deployment on Shared Ethernet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional distributed antenna systems (DAS) are expensive to deploy and have limited scalability and upgradeability, requiring physical hardware changes and dedicated point-to-point communication links.
Innovation Solution
A virtualized distributed antenna system (vDAS) utilizing scalable software executed on physical server computers, with virtualized master units and access points, and a fronthaul network that can use shared Ethernet links, enabling flexible configuration and easy scaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional physical hardware and dedicated point-to-point communication links are used to implement DAS nodes, then system reliability is maintained, but device complexity and deployment cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies virtualization by creating virtual copies of DAS nodes (central access nodes, remote antenna units, transport expansion nodes) as software instances running on standard servers. These virtual nodes replicate the functionality of physical hardware without requiring dedicated physical infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining system reliability through virtual machine management and resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical communication infrastructure with a software-based virtualized system. Instead of dedicated physical point-to-point links, the system uses virtual network functions and software-defined networking to establish communication between virtual nodes, substituting physical hardware connections with virtualized communication mechanisms that reduce overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom physical hardware is deployed for each DAS node, then functional requirements are met, but ease of manufacture and deployment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal virtualized platform where standard server hardware can run multiple different DAS node functions through virtual machines. A single physical server can host various virtual instances (central access nodes, remote antenna units, transport expansion nodes) that fulfill different functional requirements, eliminating the need for custom hardware manufacturing while maintaining adaptability to various system configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables functional adaptability by changing software parameters and configuration settings rather than physical hardware specifications. Virtual nodes can be instantiated, scaled, and reconfigured by modifying software parameters such as resource allocation, network topology, and operational modes, allowing the system to adapt to different functional requirements without manufacturing new physical hardware.
3Reliability
If dedicated point-to-point communication links are used for DAS nodes, then communication reliability is ensured, but scalability and upgradeability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic communication infrastructure through virtualization. Instead of static dedicated physical links, the system uses dynamic virtual network connections that can be created, modified, or removed based on operational needs. Virtual nodes can be dynamically instantiated or migrated between physical hosts, allowing the communication topology to adapt and scale without requiring physical infrastructure changes, while maintaining reliability through virtual network function management.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment is directed to a virtual distributed antenna system (vDAS) that comprises one or more self-configuration entities configured to: determine characteristics of one or more donor base stations: determine available resources that are available to implement the vDAS; determine, using the characteristics of the one or more donor base stations and the available resources available to implement the vDAS, a scaled configuration for the vDAS to serve the one or more donor base stations that is scaled so that the available resources available to implement the vDAS are sufficient to implement the vDAS in accordance with the scaled configuration; and configure the vDAS to serve the one or more donor base stations in accordance with the scaled configuration by executing the scalable vDAS software on physical server computers in accordance with the scaled configuration. Other embodiments are disclosed.