Wideband Distributed Antenna System with Optical Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distributed antenna systems face challenges in scalability and maintenance due to the need for multiple components and narrow-band equipment when adding new services or frequency ranges, leading to increased costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A wideband distributed antenna system that uses a hub and remote antenna devices with optical transmission links to handle multiple communication services without frequency conversion, employing multimode fibers and high-isolation dual-port broadband antenna modules to enable simultaneous transmission and reception across a broad frequency range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If frequency down-conversion is used to obtain sufficient transmission quality, then transmission quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring additional frequency conversion equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission qualityVSAvoidfrequency conversion equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the frequency conversion function from the distributed antenna system. By using optical fiber transmission to carry RF signals directly without frequency down-conversion, the system eliminates the need for frequency conversion equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining transmission quality through the optical transmission medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If narrow-band amplifiers and filtering components are used for specific services, then service performance is improved, but adaptability decreases when adding new services or frequency ranges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice performanceVSAvoidservice expansion capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal optical transmission infrastructure that can carry multiple services and frequency ranges simultaneously. The optical fiber link and broadband amplifier can handle various RF signals without requiring service-specific narrow-band components, enabling the system to adapt to new services and frequency ranges by simply configuring the optical transmission parameters rather than installing additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic service allocation through the optical transmission medium, where different services and frequency ranges can be dynamically assigned to the same physical infrastructure. The broadband amplifier and optical link can adapt their operating characteristics based on the required service, allowing flexible service expansion without fixed narrow-band constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dedicated components are stocked for different services, then service coverage is improved, but ease of manufacture and maintenance worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidcomponent stocking complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal optical transmission and broadband amplification platform that can serve multiple communication services through a single infrastructure. Instead of stocking different narrow-band amplifiers and filters for each service, the system uses one broadband optical transmission link and amplifier that can be configured to handle various services, significantly reducing component variety and stocking requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If narrow-band equipment is used for each service, then service quality is improved, but ease of operation and maintenance worsens due to large variety of components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal optical transmission system with broadband amplification that provides a standardized interface for all services. Instead of maintaining a large inventory of different narrow-band equipment, operators work with a single type of optical transmission infrastructure and broadband amplifier, simplifying operational procedures and maintenance activities while preserving service quality through the high-fidelity optical transmission medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution allows for flexible and cost-effective support of multiple communication services within a single frequency range, reducing the need for additional equipment and simplifying maintenance, while maintaining high isolation between transmit and receive antennas to prevent oscillation and noise interference.

Implementation Method 1

an optical fibre link (501, 502) coupled between the hub and the remote antenna device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

a photodetector configured to: receive the optical transmission signals, and convert the optical transmission signals into respective electrical transmission signals without frequency conversion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

a laser configured to: receive the electrical reception signals, and generate optical reception signals modulated by the plurality of electrical reception signals at the different frequencies without frequency conversion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission and modulation: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3128608B1Communication system
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 ZINWAVE LTD
  • EP3128608B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3128608B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3128608B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A distributed antenna system (DAS) is described, including a wide band antenna device having respective transmit and receive antennas disposed in a single package arranged to provide mutual isolation so that in use noise from the transmit antenna is isolated from the transmit antenna, whereby reception is possible at a frequency the same as transmission. The distributed antenna system comprises a hub (300) and at least one remote antenna system (400), the system being adapted to be able simultaneously to convey a plurality of different communication bands.