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US 2012003 9254A1

(19) United States


(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2012/0039254 A1
Stapleton et al. (43) Pub. Date: Feb. 16, 2012

(54) DAISY-CHAINED RING OF REMOTE UNITS (60) Provisional application No. 61/439,940, ?led on Feb.
FOR A DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM 7, 2011.

(75) Inventors: Shawn Patrick Stapleton, Burnaby Publication Classi?cation


(CA); Paul Lemson, Woodinville, (51) Int CL
WA (US); Bill Lin, Coquitlam (CA) H04W 40/00 (2009.01)
Assigneez Dali Systems Co, Ltd" George (52) US. Cl. ...................................................... .. 370/328
(73)
Town Grand Cayman (KY) (57) ABSTRACT

(21) App1_ NO; 13/211,247 The present disclosure is a novel utility of a software de?ned
radio (SDR) based Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that is
(22) Filed.' Aug 16 2011
l
?eld recon?gurable and support multi-modulation schemes
(modulation-independent), multi-carriers, multi-frequency
. . bands and multi-channels. More speci?cally, the present
Related U's' Apphcatlon Data invention relates to a DAS utilizing one or more Daisy
(63) Continuation of application No, 11/961,969, ?led on Chained Rings of Remote Units. The present invention
Dec. 20, 2007, Continuation of application No. enables a high degree of ?exibiiiiy to manage, Control,
12/ 108,502, ?led on Apr, 23, 2008, Continuation of enhance, facilitate the usage and performance of a distributed
application No, 12/603,419, ?led on Oct, 21, 2009, wireless network such as Flexible Simulcast, automatic traf
Continuation of application No, 12/767,669, ?led on ?c load-balancing, network and radio resource optimization,
Apr, 26, 2010, Continuation of application No_ 12/928, network calibration, autonomous/assisted commissioning,
931, ?led on Dec, 21, 2010, Continuation of applica_ carrier pooling, automatic frequency selection, frequency
tion No. 12/928,933, ?led on Dec. 21, 2010, Continu- Carrier placement, tra?ie monitoring, traf?c tagging, pilot
ation of application No, 12/928,934, ?led on Dec' 21, beacon, etc. As a result, a DAS in accordance with the present
2010, Continuation of application No, 12/928,943, invention can increase the ef?ciency and tra?ic capacity of
?led on Dec. 21, 2010. the operators wireless network.

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US 2012/0039254 A1 Feb. 16, 2012

DAISY-CHAINED RING OF REMOTE UNITS


FOR A DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM -continued
Ser. No. Filing Date Title
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[not assigned yet] Aug. 16, 2011 Remotely Recon?gurable
Distributed Antenna System and
[0001] This application claims the bene?t of the following Methods
US. patent applications, all ofWhich are incorporated herein [not assigned yet] Aug. 16, 2011 Daisy Chained Ring of Remote
Units for a Distributed Antenna
by reference: System.

Ser. No. Filing Date Title FIELD OF THE INVENTION


60/877,035 Dec. 26, 2006 Method For Baseband Predistortion [0002] The present invention generally relates to Wireless
Linearization in Multi-Channel communication systems employing DistributedAntenna Sys
Wideband Communication Systems tems (DAS) as part of a distributed Wireless netWork. More
60/925,603 Apr. 23, 2007 Digital Hybrid Mode Power
Ampli?er System speci?cally, the present invention relates to a DAS utiliZing
60/925,577 Apr. 23, 2007 N-Way Doherty Distributed Power one or more remotely monitored and controlled digital access
Ampli?er units con?gured to assign particular packet transmissions to
61/012,416 Dec. 8, 2007 Baseband Derived RF Digital selected ones of a plurality of remote units, Which can in some
Predistortion
11/961,969 Dec. 20, 2007 A Method for Baseband embodiments be con?gured in a daisy-chained rings.
Predistortion Linearization in Multi
Channel Wideband Communication BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Systems
61/041,164 Mar. 31, 2008 An Ef?cient Peak Cancellation [0003] Wireless and mobile netWork operators face the
Method For Reducing The Peak-To continuing challenge of building netWorks that effectively
Average PoWer Ratio in Wideband
Communication Systems manage high data-tra?ic groWth rates. Mobility and an
12/108,502 Apr. 23, 2008 Digital Hybrid Mode PoWer increased level of multimedia content for end users requires
Ampli?er System end-to-end netWork adaptations that support both neW ser
61/172,642 Apr. 24, 2009 Remotely Recon?gurable PoWer vices and the increased demand for broadband and ?at-rate
Ampli?er System Internet access. One of the most dif?cult challenges faced by
12/603,419 Oct. 21, 2009 N-Way Doherty Distributed PoWer
Ampli?er With PoWer Tracking netWork operators is maximizing the capacity of their DAS
61/288,838 Dec. 21, 2009 Multi-Band Wideband PoWer netWorks While ensuring cost-effective DAS deployments
Ampli?er Digital Predistortion and at the same time providing a very high degree of DAS
System and Method
61/288,840 Dec. 21, 2009 Remote Radio Head Unit System
remote unit availability.
With Wideband PoWer Ampli?er and [0004] In order to provide DAS netWork capacity Which is
Method high enough to meet short-term needs of netWork subscribers
61/288,844 Dec. 21, 2009 Modulation Agnostic Digital Hybrid in speci?c locations yet also avoid costly and inef?cient
Mode PoWer Ampli?er System and
Method
deployment of radio resources, DAS netWork planners prefer
61/288,847 Dec. 21, 2009 High Ef?ciency, Remotely to employ DAS architectures and solutions Which provide a
Recon?gurable Remote Radio Head high degree of dynamic ?exibility. Therefore, it Would be
Unit System and Method for advantageous for Wireless netWork operators to employ a
Wireless Communications DAS solution Which has a high degree of ?exibility to imple
12/767,669 Apr. 26, 2010 Remotely Recon?gurable PoWer ment dynamic rearrangements based on ever-changing net
Ampli?er System and Method
Work conditions and subscriber needs. Also, the more future
61/374,593 Aug. 17, 2010 Neutral Host Architecture for a
Distributed Antenna System proof a DAS deployment can be, generally the loWer its life
61/382,836 Sep. 14, 2010 Remotely Recon?gurable cycle cost.
Distributed Antenna System and [0005] DAS netWork planners and system integrators
Methods employ a Wide range of innovative approaches for helping to
12/928,931 Dec. 21, 2010 Modulation Agnostic Digital Hybrid
ensure that a particular DAS deployment is as cost-effective
Mode PoWer Ampli?er System and
Method as possible. The types of costs considered by netWork plan
12/928,933 Dec. 21, 2010 Remote Radio Head Unit System ners and integrators include DAS deployment or DAS instal
With Wideband PoWer Ampli?er and lation cost, as Well as operational costs including mainte
Method nance costs, emergency restoration costs and netWork
12/928,934 Dec. 21, 2010 Multi-Band Wideband PoWer
re-arrangement costs. Rearrangement costs are particularly
Ampli?er Digital Predistortion
System and Method
signi?cant for indoor DAS applications, due to frequent
12/928,943 Dec. 21, 2010 High Ef?ciency, Remotely changes in building use and facility needs changes. There
Recon?gurable Remote Radio Head fore, it Would be advantageous to employ DAS systems and
Unit System and Method methods Which are based on as feW DAS transport facilities as
for Wireless Communications possible to minimize installation and/or lease costs and have
61/439,940 Feb. 7, 2011 Daisy Chained Ring of Remote self-healing capabilities to avoid the need for costly emer
Units for a Distributed Antenna
System gency restoration services.
[not assigned yet] Aug. 16, 2011 Neutral Host Architecture for a [0006] In order to obtain a high degree of DAS remote unit
Distributed Antenna System availability, tWo primary conditions must be satis?ed. First,
the DAS remote unit itself must be inherently reliable. Sec
US 2012/0039254 A1 Feb. 16, 2012

ond, the transport media e.g., optical ?ber, must be very radios (modulation-independent) and multi-frequency bands
reliable. It is well known that electronic and/or optical con per operator to increase the ef?ciency and tra?ic capacity of
nections themselves are a signi?cant root cause of failure or the operators wireless networks.
reduced availability in a DAS network. Companies who [0011] Further the present invention provides a high degree
maintain outdoor DAS networks have reported that a failure of dynamic ?exibility, supports dynamic re-arrangements,
of outside plant optical ?ber facilities is not as rare as would and provides a low life cycle cost. This advanced system
be desirable. Therefore, it would be advantageous to employ architecture enables deployment of DAS networks using
systems and methods which offer higher redundancy and/or fewer DAS transport facilities to reduce costs, while provid
self-healing features in the event of failure of a transport ing self-healing features. The present invention also offers
media connection. redundancy and enhanced system availability.
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Flexible Simulcast capabilities, as disclosed in US. Provi
sional Application Ser. No. 61/382,836, entitled Remotely
[0007] The present invention substantially achieves the
advantages and bene?ts discussed above and overcomes the
Recon?gurable Distributed Antenna System and Methods,
limitations of the prior art discussed above by providing a ?led Sep. 14, 2010, incorporated herein by reference and
attached as Appendix A, in a high-availability ring con?gu
distributed antenna system responsive to one or more base
stations and having at least one but in some embodiments a
rationusing, for example, optical ?ber transport. As discussed
above, the ring con?guration insures that a break in any
plurality of Digital Access Units (DAUs), each operating optical ?ber cable will not shut down the daisy-chained net
to control the packet tra?ic of an associated plurality of Digi
work, because the downlink and uplink signals can be
tal Remote Units (DRUs). In embodiments employing rerouted around the cable break to the respective DRUs.
multiple DAUs, the DAUs can be daisy-chained linearly or
[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to
in a ring con?guration. Likewise, depending upon the imple balance the bidirectional data rate on the optical ?bers so as to
mentation, the DRUs associated with a given DAU can be
increase the maximum achievable data rate during operation
con?gured in either a linear or ring Daisy chain con?guration. on the ring network of DRUs.
[0008] The data received from the base stations is down
[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to
converted, digitiZed and converted to baseband with the DAU.
The data streams are then I/Q mapped and framed and inde
provide higher transport network capacity in the event the
data transport is asymmetrical between the downlink and
pendently serialiZed, such that multiple data streams are
uplink, as is typically the case for mobile broadband net
available in parallel from the DAU. In at least some embodi
works.
ments, the DAU communicates with the associated DRUs via
[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to
an optical transport arrangement. It will be appreciated by provide an adaptive and automatic control for optimiZing the
those skilled in the art that, using the present invention, it is
transport media capacity on the ring.
possible to con?gure a distributed antenna system having n
[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to
base stations, each providing m RF outputs for transmission
provide a method of summing co-channel users uplink sig
by one or more associated DAUs to o DRUs, where the only
nals in the DRU daisy chain.
limits are imposed by the technical performance speci?ca
[0017] Applications of the present invention are suitable to
tions of the particular DAS, such as delay.
be employed with distributed base stations, distributed
[0009] By the use of a ring con?guration for connecting, in antenna systems, distributed repeaters, mobile equipment and
at least some embodiments, the DRUs and/or the DAUs,
wireless terminals, portable wireless devices, and other wire
fault tolerance is built into the system, with resulting high less communication systems such as microwave and satellite
availability. In single DAU embodiments, each DRU is acces communications. The present invention is also ?eld upgrad
sible through two paths, and therefore remains available even
able through a link such as an Ethernet connection to a remote
in the event of a line break. In multi-DAU embodiments, computing center.
where the DAUs are linearly daisy-chained, each DRU is
[0018] Appendix I is a glossary of terms used herein,
accessible from multiple DRUs such that even some DAU
including acronyms.
failures will not prevent system operation. In embodiments
employing a ring connection for the DAUs, multiple paths THE FIGURES
exist to each DAU, and thus provide an additional level of
fault tolerance as well as dynamic load balancing and [0019] Further objects and advantages of the present inven
resource management as discussed in greater detail hereinaf tion can be more fully understood from the following detailed
ter. description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
[0010] Thus, the con?guration of the advanced system drawings in which:
architecture of the present invention provides a high degree of [0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram according to one embodi
?exibility to manage, control, enhance and facilitate the radio ment of the invention showing the basic structure and an
resource e?iciency, usage, availability, and overall perfor example of a unidirectional, channeliZed downlink transport,
mance of the distributed wireless network. The present inven one ring scenario based on having one DAU and four DRUs.
tion enables specialiZed applications and enhancements [0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram in accordance with an
including Flexible Simulcast, automatic tra?ic load-balanc embodiment of the invention showing the basic structure and
ing, network and radio resource optimization, network cali an example of a unidirectional, channeliZed uplink transport,
bration, autonomous/assisted commissioning, carrier pool one ring scenario based on having one DAU and four DRUs.
ing, automatic frequency selection, radio frequency carrier [0022] FIG. 3 is a block diagram in accordance with an
placement, tra?ic monitoring, traf?c tagging, and indoor embodiment of the invention showing the basic structure and
location determination using pilot beacons. The present an example of a unidirectional, channeliZed uplink transport,
invention can also serve multiple operators, multi-mode two ring scenario based on having one DAU and eight DRUs.
US 2012/0039254 A1 Feb. 16, 2012

[0023] FIG. 4 is a block diagram in accordance With an Where the additional rings are indicated by ?ber optic pairs up
embodiment of the invention showing the basic structure and through 1400-1450. It Will be appreciated by those skilled in
an example of a unidirectional channeliZed uplink or doWn the art that the number of RF inputs, DAUs and DRUs and
link transport. This example of a ?ve ring scenario comprises rings is limited only by netWork performance factors, such as
tWo DAUs and tWenty DRUs. delay. In addition, as discussed in connection With FIG. 4
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a cellular net herein, the DAS can be further extended by using a ring or
Work system employing multiple DRUs according to the daisy-chain of DAUs, each of Which supports an arrange
present invention. ment of DRUs and rings as shoWn in FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a multi-band [0030] One function of the DAU 105 is to determine the
system employing six different services operating in different direction in Which doWnlinked channels are propagated
frequency channels With multiple DRUs according to the around the ring. As just one example, the embodiment shoWn
present invention. in FIG. 1 is con?gured to have doWnlink channels A, B, C and
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates in block diagram form the interac D propagate in a ?rst direction, for example clockWise, and
tion betWeen the DAU embedded softWare control module channels E, F, G, and H propagate in the counter direction,
and the DRU embedded softWare control module. although it Will be understood that the number of channels
[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates in block diagram form an embodi propagating in each direction need not be equal, nor adjacent,
ment of a DAS according to an aspect of the invention, includ nor sequential. LikeWise, the number of channels received at
ing daisy-chained DAUs. each DRU is assigned by the DAU and need not be equal,
adjacent or sequential, but instead Will typically be any con
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION ?guration that optimiZes netWork utiliZation.
[0028] The present invention is a novel Recon?gurable [0031] Referring next to FIG. 2, an embodiment of an
Distributed Antenna System that provides a high degree of uplink (UL) path in accordance With the invention can be
?exibility to manage, control, re-con?gure, enhance and better appreciated. Channels received at the antenna associ
facilitate the radio resource e?iciency, usage and overall per atedWith each DRU are converted into optical signals by each
formance of the distributed Wireless netWork. FIG. 1 illus DRU 125A-125k. Optical signals received from the DRUs
trates an embodiment of the Distributed Antenna System 100 are de-serialiZed and de-framed by the DAU 105, and are also
in accordance With the present invention. The system up-converted digitally using a Digital Up-Converter imple
employs a Digital Access Unit functionality 105 (hereinafter mented Within the DAU 105. Each data stream is then inde
DAU). The DAU 105 serves as an interface betWeen asso pendently converted to the analog domain and up-converted
ciated base stations (BTS) 110A-B and a plurality of digital to the appropriate RF frequency band, still Within the DAU
remote units (DRU) 125A-n, although only four DRUs are 1 05 in the illustrated implementation, although this function
shoWn in FIG. 1. In the present description, DR Will be ality can be separate. The RF signals are then delivered to the
used interchangeably With Remote Radio Head Unit, or appropriate one of a plurality of BTS 110A-110p. As With the
RRU, because of the similarity of the functions discussed arrangement shoWn in FIG. 1, the direction of propagation of
herein, although those skilled in the art Will recogniZe that a each channel is controlled by the DAU, With some channels
DRU communicates With a DAU, Whereas an RRU commu propagating in a clockWise direction and others in a counter
nicates With a base station. In addition, those skilled in the art clockWise direction. Also as discussed in connection With
Will recogniZe that a DAU is monitored and controlled by a FIG. 1, While adjacent channels are shoWn as propagating in
remote netWork operations center (NOC), as indicated at the same direction in FIG. 2, this is not required and any
bidirectional link 115 in FIG. 1. Such links are typically channel can be selected to propagate in either direction.
Ethernet connections or external modems, but can be any [0032] Referring again to FIG. 1, it Will be appreciated by
form of link suitable for remote monitoring and control. The those skilled in the art that, in some implementations of a
NOC has the capability to remotely con?gure the DAU DAS, more than one carrier can exist in each channel, and, as
parameter settings Which in turn con?gures the DRUs such, a DRU may receive a channel comprising a signal
parameter settings. The NOC can request information from containing tWo or more carriers, or a Wireless operator may
the DAUs. The DAUs can subsequently request information have more than one RF carrier per channel allocated to a
from the DRUs. The information requested includes but is not single base station. This is referred to as a composite signal.
limited to uplink poWer, doWnlink poWer, optical error rate, The manner in Which a composite doWnlink signal is man
gain settings, active carriers, etc. aged by the present invention can be better understood With
[0029] For the doWnlink (DL) path, RF input signals 120A reference to FIG. 1. In such instances, the DAU Will receive a
through 12011 are received at the DAU 105 from one or more composite doWnlink input signal 130 from, e.g., a ?rst base
base station units (BTS) indicated at 110A through 110p. The station 110A belonging to one Wireless operator, enters the
RF input signals are separately doWn-converted, digitiZed, DAU 105 at the RF input port 120A. Composite signal 130
and converted to baseband (using a Digital DoWn-Converter) comprises carriers A-D. A second composite doWnlink input
by the DAU. Data streams are then I/Q mapped and framed signal from e.g., a pth base station 110p belonging to the same
and speci?c parallel data streams are then independently seri Wireless operator enters DAU1 at the DAU1 RF input port
aliZed and translated to optical signals using pluggable SFP 12011. Composite signal 135 comprises carriers E-H. The
modules, again by the DAU 105. The independently serial functionality of the DAU 105, and DRUs 125A-125k, respec
iZed, parallel data streams are then delivered to different tively, are explained in detail in US. Provisional Application
DRUs 125A-125k, typically over optical ?ber cable Ser. No. 61/374,593, entitled Neutral HostArchitecture for a
arranged, in at least some embodiments, in a ring con?gura Distributed Antenna System, ?led Aug. 17, 2010, incorpo
tion indicated at connection pairs 140A-145A, or, in other rated herein by reference and attached hereto as Appendix B.
embodiments, a daisy chain con?guration. In addition, each [0033] One optical output of DAU 105 is fed to DRU 125A,
DAU can support a plurality of rings With associated DRUs, via bidirectional optical cable 140A. A second optical output
US 2012/0039254 A1 Feb. 16, 2012

of DAU 105 is fed via bidirectional optical cable 145A to vidual operators band segments over the optical ?ber. As
DRU3. Similarly, bidirectional optical cables 150, 155 and disclosed in US. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/374,
160 connect DRUs 125A-n in a ring con?guration, such that 593, entitled Neutral Host Architecture for a Distributed
DRU 125A connects to DRU 125B via cable 150A, DRU Antenna System, ?led Aug. 17, 2010 together with US.
125B connects to DRU 125n via cable 150B, and DRU 125k Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/3 82,836, entitled
connects to DRU 125C, or the kth-1 DRU, via cable 150m. Remotely Recon?gurable Distributed Antenna System and
This connection facilitates networking of DAU 105, which Methods, ?led Sep. 14, 2010, both assigned to the assignee
means that all of Carriers A-H are available within DAU 105 of the present invention, and also referring to FIG. 1 of the
to transport data to DRUs 125A-k depending on software instant patent application, Digital Up Converters located
settings within the networked DAU system. Depending upon within the DRU can be dynamically recon?gured as the result
the embodiment, the software settings within DRU 125A are of commands from the NOC to transport from the DAU input
con?gured either manually or automatically, such that cani to any speci?c DRU output any speci?c narrow frequency
ers A-H are present in the downlink output signal 155A at the band orbands, RF carriers or RF channels which are available
antenna port of DRU 125A. The presence of all eight carriers at the respective RF input port of either DAU. This capability
means that DRU 125A is potentially able to access the full is illustrated in FIG. 1 where only speci?c frequency bands or
capacity of both base stations feeding DAU 105. A possible RF carriers appear at the output of a given DRU. More spe
application for DRU125A is a cafeteria in an enterprise build ci?cally, through commands received from the NOC, the
ing during the lunch hour where a large number of wireless FPGAs in the DAU and one or more of the associated DRUs
subscribers are gathered. can be reprogrammed or recon?gured to convert and trans
[0034] DRU 125B is fed by a second optical port of DRU port only the desired narrow bandwidths.
125A via bidirectional optical cable 150A. The optical cable [0037] A related capability of the present invention is that
150A performs the function of daisy chaining DRU 125A not only can the Digital Up Converters located within each
with DRU125B. As with DRU 125A, the software settings DRU be con?gured to transport any speci?c narrow fre
within DRU 125B are con?gured either manually or auto quency band from the DAU input to any speci?c DRU output,
matically such that Carriers A, C, D and F are present in but also the Digital Up Converters within each DRU can be
downlink output signal 155B at the antenna port of DRU con?gured to transport any speci?c time slot or time slots of
125B. The capacity of DRU 125B is set to a much lower value each carrier from the DAU input to any speci?c DRU output.
than DRU 125A by virtue of its speci?c channel settings as The carriers and time slots are monitored by the DAU by
controlled by DAU 105. The individual Digital Remote Units ?ltering the signals and performing power detection of the
have integrated frequency selective DUCs and DDCs with individual time slots, which information can be conveyed to
gain control for each carrier. The DAUs can remotely turn on the NOC as desired. Then, as with the Digital Up Converters,
and off the individual carriers via the gain control parameters. the Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) in the DAU or
[0035] In a similar manner as described previously for DRU can be dynamically recon?gured by commands
DRU 125A, the software settings within DRU 125C are con received from the NOC in a manner analogous to software
?gured either manually or automatically such that Carriers B pro grammability. The DAU detects which carriers and corre
and F are present in downlink output signal 155C at the sponding time slots are active. This information is relayed to
antenna port of DRU 125C. Compared to the downlink signal the individual DRUs via the management control and moni
155B at the antenna port of DRU 125B, the capacity of DRU toring protocol software. This information is then used, as
125C, which is also con?gured via its software settings, is appropriate, by the DRUs for turning off and on individual
much less than the capacity of DRU 125B. DRU 12511 is fed carriers and their corresponding time slots.
by the optical cable 150m connected to the second optical port [0038] Data transport between the Base Station and the
of the nth-1 DRU, shown for simplicity in FIG. 1 as DRU subscribers is typically asymmetrical, whereby the downlink
125C. The software settings within DRU 12511 are con?gured data rate is higher than the uplink rate. The ring network
either manually or automatically such that carriers A, D, E con?guration of Daisy Chained DRUs can exploit this data
and H are present in downlink output signal 155D at the rate asymmetry to maximize the data transport on the optical
antenna port of DRU 125n. Typically, the capacity of DRU ?bers 150A-150m.
12511 is set to a much lower value than DRU 125A, however, [0039] The present invention balances the bidirectional
the relative capacity settings of each of DRUs 125A-n can be data rate on the optical ?bers so as to increase the maximum
adjusted dynamically to meet the capacity needs within the achievable data rate on the ring network of DRUs. The indi
coverage Zones determined by the physical positions of vidual downlink channels are transmitted in a unidirectional
antennas connected to those DRUs. As noted above, the ring sense along the ring network. Referring to FIG. 1, downlink
connection is completed by interconnecting DRU 125B and channels A, B, C, and D are transmitted in a clockwise sense
DRU 12511 through optical cable 150B. The ring con?gura around the ring of DRUs 125A-k. On the other hand, down
tion insures that any optical cable breaks will not shut down link channels E, F, G and H are transmitted in a counterclock
the daisy chained network. The downlink and uplink signals wise sense around the ring of DRUs. Referring to FIG. 2, the
will be rerouted around the cable break to the respective uplink channels J, K, L and M are transmitted in a counter
DRUs. clockwise sense whereas uplink channels N, O, P and Q are
[0036] The present invention facilitates conversion and transmitted in a clockwise sense around the ring of DRUs. If
transport of several discrete relatively narrow RF bandwidths. the downlink and uplink data rates were the same, there would
This approach allows conversion of only those multiple spe be no advantage in the transport mechanism. However, if the
ci?c relatively narrow bandwidths which carry useful or spe data transport is asymmetrical between the downlink and
ci?c information. This approach also allows more ef?cient uplink then a signi?cant advantage can be gained. For
use of the available optical ?ber transport bandwidth for example, for a factor of two difference between the downlink
neutral host applications, and allows transport of more indi and uplink data rates, a 4/3 factor increase in data transport
US 2012/0039254 A1 Feb. 16, 2012

can be achieved. The larger the asymmetry between the


downlink and uplink data rates, the larger will be the increase
in data transport using the unidirectional channel transport
Input: T = set of n independent channels Ki with required bandwidth
mechanism around the ring.
b(Ki),1in.
[0040] Referring again to FIG. 1, a further embodiment in Output: L1, L2 and D1, D2. Lj is the set ofchannels schedule on ring
accordance with another aspect of the present invention may Rj , and Dj is the maximum aggregate bandwidth ofring Rj, Dj = (Eb(]),
be better understood. In the event that there is a signi?cant JeLj), 12152.
ALGORITHM (T, L, D)
change in asymmetry between the downlink and uplink data Step 1 (initialize Ki and D1, D2) Sort Ki such that b(Ki); b(Ki+l),
rates and/ or if there is a change in channel complement at the 1in1.Dl<0,D2<0.
BTS, the Management Control module [discussed in connec Step 2 (Schedule a channel)
For i =1 to n, step 1 do
tion with FIG. 7 herein] which is typically comprised within IfDl ; D2, then [assign Ki onto L1, D1< D1+ b(Ki) ].
each DAU is able to automatically and adaptively re-allocate else [assign Ki onto L2, D2 < D2 + b(Ki) ] .
data transport resources on the clockwise direction of the ring
and on the counter-clockwise direction of the ring to maxi
mize the overall transport capacity. As stated previously, the [0044] Referring next to FIG. 4, a still further an alternative
larger the degree of asymmetry between uplink and downlink embodiment of the present invention may be understood. The
data rates for a particular DAU, the higher the increase in data arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 comprised downlink signals
transport using the unidirectional channel transport mecha from two separate base stations belonging to the same wire
nism around the ring. If there is more than one DAU present, less operator entering the DAU 105 at input ports 110A and
in an embodiment one DAU is designated a Master DAU by 110p, respectively. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a ?rst com
the NOC, and the Management Control module located in the posite signal enters a ?rst DAU 400 at that DAUs RF input
Master DAU makes decisions to optimize the overall trans port from a base station 405, and a second composite down
port capacity. In the event the master DAU fails, the NOC can link input signal from, e.g., a second base station 410 belong
designate another DAU as master. Alternatively, any suitable ing to a different wireless operator enters DAU 415 at that
failover algorithm can be implemented. second DAUs RF input port. DAU 400 directly supports two
[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of rings 420 and 425, DAU 415 directly supports two rings 430
the present invention wherein a single DAU controls a plu and 435, and a ring 440 is shared between DAU 400 and DAU
rality of rings, each comprising a plurality of daisy-chained 405. Each of the rings comprises daisy-chained DRUs gen
DRUs, can be better understood. In FIG. 3, two daisy erally indicated at 445 and connected via, for example, ?ber
chained rings, indicated at 300 and 305, are shown although optic links, as discussed in connection with FIG. 1. It will be
the number of rings could be greater and is determined mainly noted that channels A are transported in the opposite sense as
as a matter of design preference up to limits imposed by channels B. The downlink channels in subset A are trans
network performance. The rings each link a plurality of ported counterclockwise around each ring, whereas the chan
DRUs 310A-n and 315A-m, to a single DAU 320. The direc nels in subset B are transported in a clockwise sense around
tional ?ow of the data transport is shown as the dashed lines each ring. In this embodiment, signals belonging to both the
325 and dotted lines 330. The downlink channels available ?rst operator and the second operator are converted and trans
from the plurality of DRUs are divided into two subsets ported to the DRUs 445 on ring 440 because DAU 400 and
which ?ow in opposite directions around the two daisy DAU 405 are daisy-chained through the ?ber optic cable 440.
chained rings. The uplink channels are transported in a simi This embodiment provides an example of a neutral host wire
lar fashion. The channels are grouped into the two subsets so less system, where multiple wireless operators share a com
as to maximize the data transport to and from the DRUs. The mon infrastructure comprised of DAU 400, DAU 415, and
DAU in turn communicates with one or more BTSs via RF DRUs 445 . All the previously mentioned features and advan
Ports 335A-p. tages accrue to each of the two wireless operators. It will
[0042] Heuristic algorithms may be used to allocate RF further be appreciated that, while FIG. 4 illustrates only two
channel data in a Dual-ring DAS. For FIG. 3, there are two DAUs linked in daisy-chain style, it is possible to daisy chain
?bre rings R1, R2 (clockwise and counter clockwise) and a a larger plurality of DAUs, and the daisy-chained DAUs can
set T of n22 independent RF channels Ki, lin (including also be con?gured in a ring con?guration similar to the man
uplink and downlink). A channel Ki requires a bandwidth of ner in which the DRUs are connected. This arranged is illus
b(Ki) to transport on a ?bre ring. A time-bounded algorithm trated in FIG. 8, below.
exists which obtains a schedule having the optimal bandwidth [0045] As disclosed in US. Provisional Application Ser.
allocation (i.e. the maximum aggregate bandwidth of each No. 61/374,593, entitled Neutral Host Architecture for a
ring is as small as possible). A large number of advanced Distributed Antenna System, ?led Aug. 17, 2010 and again
heuristic algorithms have been developed to solve such referring to FIG. 1 of the instant patent application, the Digital
scheduling optimization problems. Some examples are Up Converters present in the DRUs of the present invention
genetic algorithm, evolutionary algorithm, greedy search, can be programmed to process various signal formats and
Tabu search, harmony search, simulated annealing, ant modulation types including FDMA, CDMA, TDMA,
colony optimization, etc. For purposes of simplicity and clar OFDMA and others. Also, the Digital Up Converters present
ity, a simple heuristic algorithm for two rings is described in the respective DRUs can be programmed to operate with
here, although the number of rings is not limited to two. signals to be transmitted within various frequency bands sub
[0043] The algorithm begins by sorting the channels Ki ject to the capabilities and limitations of the system architec
decreasingly by bandwidth b(Ki). Then it schedules the chan ture disclosed in US. Provisional Application Ser. No.
nel in such a way that each channel is assigned to the ring 61/374,593, mentioned above. In one embodiment of the
which has the smaller aggregate bandwidth. The formal present invention where a wideband CDMA signal is present
description of the algorithm follows. within, e.g., the bandwidth corresponding to a ?rst carrier at
US 2012/0039254 Al Feb. 16, 2012

the input port to DAU 105, the transmitted signal at the and DRU 125C With regard to uplink and doWnlink signals
antenna ports of DRU 125A, DRU 125B and DRUk Will be a Within Channel K bandWidth. The term Flexible Simulcast
Wideband CDMA signal Which is virtually identical to the refers to the fact that the present invention supports dynamic
signal present Within the bandwidth corresponding to that and/or manual rearrangement of Which speci?c DRU are
?rst carrier at the input port to DAU 105. involved in the signal combining process for each Channel
[0046] As disclosed in US. Provisional Application Ser. bandWidth.
No. 61/374,593, again identi?ed above, and also referring to [0050] Referring still to FIG. 2, the Digital DoWn Convert
FIG. 1 of the instant patent application, it is to be understood ers present in DRU 125A are con?gured to receive and pro
that the Digital Up Converters present in the respective DRUs cess signals Within Channel J-Q bandWidths. The Digital
can be programmed to transmit any desired composite signal DoWn Converters present in DRU 125B are con?gured to
format to each of the respective DRU antenna ports. As an receive and process signals Within Channel I, L, M and O
example, the Digital Up Converters present in DRU 125A and bandWidths. The Digital DoWn Converters present in DRU
DRU 125B can be dynamically software-recon?gured as 125C are con?gured to receive and process signals Within
described previously so that the signal present at the antenna Channel K and O bandWidths. The Digital DoWn Converters
port of DRU 125A Would correspond to the spectral pro?le present in DRU 12511 are con?gured to receive and process
shoWn in FIG. 1 as 155A and also that the signal present at the signals Within Channel I, M, N and Q bandWidths. The
antenna port of DRU 125B Would correspond to the spectral respective high-speed digital signals resulting from process
pro?le shoWn in FIG. 1 as 155B. The application for such a ing performed Within each of the four DRU are routed to the
dynamic re-arrangement of DRU capacity Would be e. g., if a DAU. As described previously, the uplink signals from the
company meeting Were suddenly convened in the area of the four DRUs are combined Within the respective DAU corre
enterprise corresponding to the coverage area of DRU 125B. sponding to each base station.
[0047] Referring again to FIG. 2, another embodiment of [0051] In summary, the Recon?gurable Distributed
the Distributed Antenna System of the present invention can Antenna System of the present invention described herein
be better understood. As disclosed in the aforementioned US. e?iciently conserves resources and reduces costs. The recon
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/374,593, and also as ?gurable system is adaptive or manually ?eld-programmable,
shoWn in FIG. 2, the optical ring transport mechanism can be since the algorithms can be adjusted like softWare in the
implemented With regard to uplink signals. As discussed pre digital processor at any time.
viously With regard to doWnlink signals and by referring to [0052] Referring next to FIG. 5, a alternative embodiment
FIG. 1, the uplink system shoWn in FIG. 2 is mainly com of the present invention may be better understood. Each DRU
prised of DAU 105, together With DRUs 125A-125k. In a has a coverage radius that can be adjusted based on the poWer
manner similar to the doWnlink operation explained by refer transmission from that particular remote unit. The DAU con
ring to FIG. 1, the operation of the uplink system shoWn in trols the various DRUs transmission poWer and can optimiZe
FIG. 2 can be understood as folloWs. the overall coverage Zone. In the illustrated embodiment,
[0048] The Digital DoWn Converters present in each of DAU 502, again under the control of a NOC (not shoWn), is
DRUs 125A-k are dynamically software-con?gured as associated With a base station 501 and in turn interfaces With
described previously so that uplink signals of the appropriate three DRUs 503, 504 and 505. A user 506 With a mobile
desired signal format(s) present at the receive antenna ports of device is provided relatively uniform coverage throughout the
the respective DRUs 125A-125k are selected based on the area covered by the three DRUs.
desired uplink band(s) to be processed and ?ltered, converted [0053] Referring next to FIG. 6, a still further alternative
and transported to the appropriate uplink output port of DAU embodiment may be better appreciated. The input frequency
105. The DAU and DRUs frame the individual data packets bands 605-630 (here denoted as six frequency bands at 700,
corresponding to their respective radio signature using the 800, 850, 1900, 2100 and 2600 MHZ) are input into the DAU
Common Public Interface Standard (CPRI). Other Interface 600 from the BTSs (not shoWn). The DAU includes, among
standards are applicable provided they uniquely identify data other functionalities discussed herein, an RF IN portion for
packets With respective DRUs. Header information is trans each band, and a digital distribution matrix for distributing the
mitted along With the data packet Which indenti?es the DRU frequency bands to a plurality of DRUs, indicated as DRU1
and DAU that corresponds to the individual data packet. DRU60, daisy-chained along three separate rings 635, 640
[0049] In one example for the embodiment shoWn in FIG. and 645 for achieving the desired coverage. The frequency
2, DRUs 125A and 125C are con?gured to receive uplink bands are transported to either all or a subset of DRUs. The
signals Within the Channel K bandWidth, Whereas DRU 125B particular number of frequency bands, DAUs, DRUs and
and DRU 12511 are both con?gured to reject uplink signals rings is exemplary only, and can, in practice, be any number
Within the Channel K bandWidth. When DRU 125C receives appropriate to the performance capabilities and needs of the
a strong enough signal at its receive antenna port Within the netWork.
Channel K bandWidth to be properly ?ltered and processed, [0054] Referring next to FIG. 7, the softWare embedded in
the Digital DoWn Converters Within DRU 125C facilitate the DAU and DRU, Which controls the operation of keys
processing and conversion. Similarly, When DRU 125A functions of these devices, can be better understood. In par
receives a strong enough signal at its receive antenna port ticular, the DAU embedded softWare control module 700
Within the Channel K bandWidth to be properly ?ltered and comprises a DAU Management Control Module 705 and a
processed, the Digital DoWn Converters Within DRU 125A DAU monitoring module 710. The DAU Management Con
facilitate processing and conversion. The signals from DRU trol Module 705 communicates With the NOC 715, and also
125A and DRU 125C are combined based on the active signal the DAU monitoring module 710. One such key function is
combining algorithm, and are fed to the base station con determining and/or setting the appropriate amount of radio
nected to the uplink output port of DAU 105. The term simul resources (such as RF carriers, CDMA codes or TDMA time
cast is frequently used to describe the operation of DRU125A slots) assigned to a particular DRU or group of DRUs to meet
US 2012/0039254 A1 Feb. 16, 2012

desired capacity and throughput objectives. As noted previ identify when, e. g., a particular downlink carrier is loaded by
ously, the NOC 715 monitors the DAS operation and sends a percentage greater than a predetermined threshold whose
commands to the DAUs for con?guring various functions of value is communicated to the DAU Management Control
the DRUs as well as the DAU, in at least some embodiments. module by the DAUs Remote Monitoring and Control func
[0055] The DAU Monitoring module, in addition to other tion 715. If that occurs, the DAU Management Control mod
functions, detects which carriers and corresponding time ule can adaptively modify the system con?guration to begin
slots are active for each DRU. The DAU Management Control to deploy, typically although not necessarily slowly, addi
module communicates with the DRU Embedded Software tional radio resources (such as RF carriers, CDMA codes or
Control module 720 over a ?ber optic link control channel via TDMA time slots) for use by a particular DRU which need
a control protocol. In an embodiment, the control protocol those radio resources within its coverage area. At the same
comprises headers together with packets of data, such that time, usually the DAU Management Control module adap
both control information and data are transmitted to the tively modi?es the system con?guration to begin to remove,
DRUs together as a message. DRU functions or features that again typically slowly, certain radio resources (such as RF
the header would control in the DRU are typically implemen carriers, CDMA codes or TDMA time slots) for use by a
tation speci?c and can include, among other things, measur particular DRU where that DRU no longer needs those radio
ing uplink and downlink power, measuring gain of uplink and resources within its coverage area.
downlink, and monitoring alarms in the DRU. [0059] Although the present invention has been described
[0056] In turn, the DRU Management Control module 725 with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be under
within the DRU Embedded Software Control Module sets the stood that the invention is not limited to the details described
individual parameters of all the DRU Digital Up-Converters thereof. Various substitutions and modi?cations have been
730 to enable or disable speci?c radio resources from being suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur
transmitted by a particular DRU or group of DRUs, and also to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such sub
sets the individual parameters of all the DRU Digital Down stitutions and modi?cations are intended to be embraced
Converters 735 to enable or disable speci?c radio resources within the scope of the invention as de?ned in the appended
from being transmitted by a particular DRU or group of claims.
DRUs. In addition, the DRU Embedded Software Control What is claimed is:
Module comprises a DRU Pilot Beacon Control Module 740, 1. A method for routing and switching operator RF signals
which communicates with a DRU Pilot Beacon 745. comprising
[0057] Referring next to FIG. 8, an embodiment of a daisy providing one or more remote radio units, each con?gured
chained con?guration of DAUs is illustrated, together with a to receive one or more downlink radio frequencies and to
daisy-chained con?guration of DRUs. In an embodiment, a transmit one or more uplink radio frequencies,
plurality of base stations 800A-800n are each associated with providing at least one digital access unit con?gured to
one of DAUs 805A-n. The DAUs are daisy-chained, and communicate with at least some remote radio units,
each DAU communicates with one or more daisy-chains linking in a loop con?guration the one or more remote
810A-810m of DRUs which may or may not be arranged in radio units and the at least one digital access unit
a ring con?guration. It will be appreciated that the DAUs can whereby each remote radio unit canbe accessed in either
also be con?gured in a ring con?guration, as discussed above. direction around the loop, and
[0058] An algorithm operating within the DAU Monitoring routing and switching packetiZed signals among the one or
module which detects which carriers and corresponding time more radio units and the at least one digital access units.
slots for each carrier are active for each DRU provides infor
mation to the DAU Management Control module to help * * * * *

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