Intermediate distribution frame for distributed radio heads
First Claim
1. An intermediate distribution frame (IDF), comprising:
- forwarding logic configured to;
receive data from a central controller intended for a plurality of radio heads;
recover a clock used to generate the received data;
multiplex the received data into respective input/output (I/O) interfaces for the plurality of radio heads; and
transmit the multiplexed data to the plurality of radio heads via the respective I/O interfaces along with the recovered clock, wherein the plurality of radio heads each comprises an antenna for wirelessly transmitting the multiplexed data.
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Abstract
Embodiments herein describe using an intermediate distribution frame (IDF) which is connected between a central controller and a plurality radio heads which each include at least one antenna for wireless communication with a user device. Instead of running separate cables to each of the radio heads, a single cable can be used to connect the IDF to the central controller and then separate cables can be used to connect the IDF to the radio heads. If the IDF is disposed near the radio heads, the amount of cables can be reduced. Moreover, the IDF may recover a clock signal used by the central controller and forward that clock to the plurality of radio head in order to synchronize the radio heads to the central controller.
22 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An intermediate distribution frame (IDF), comprising:
forwarding logic configured to; receive data from a central controller intended for a plurality of radio heads; recover a clock used to generate the received data; multiplex the received data into respective input/output (I/O) interfaces for the plurality of radio heads; and transmit the multiplexed data to the plurality of radio heads via the respective I/O interfaces along with the recovered clock, wherein the plurality of radio heads each comprises an antenna for wirelessly transmitting the multiplexed data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A distributed system, comprising:
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a central controller; an IDF coupled to the central controller via a first cable; and a plurality of radio heads coupled to the IDF via respective cables, wherein the IDF is configured to; receive data from the central controller intended for the plurality of radio heads; recover a clock used to generate the received data; multiplex the received data into respective input/output (I/O) interfaces for the plurality of radio heads; and transmit the multiplexed data to the plurality of radio heads via the respective I/O interfaces along with the recovered clock, wherein the plurality of radio heads each comprises an antenna for wirelessly transmitting the multiplexed data. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating an IDF, comprising:
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receiving data from a central controller intended for a plurality of radio heads; recovering a clock used to generate the received data; multiplexing the received data into respective input/output (I/O) interfaces for the plurality of radio heads; and transmitting the multiplexed data to the plurality of radio heads via the respective I/O interfaces along with the recovered clock, wherein the plurality of radio heads each comprises an antenna for wirelessly transmitting the multiplexed data. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification