DISTRIBUTED REPEATER ARCHITECTURE

• US 20060205344A1
• Filed: 06/05/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spotwave Wireless, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Spotwave Wireless Canada Inc.
• Inventors: Simpson, Paul, Roper, Mike
• Granted Patent: US 7,756,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/11.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15507 Relay station based processing for cell extension or control of coverage area, network planning with network coordinated processing with regard to cell extension H04W16/26; network topologies using dedicated repeater stations H04W84/047; terminal devices adapted for relaying to or from an other terminal H04W88/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15535 Control of relay amplifier gain amplifier gain control in general H03G3/00; gain control reducing self - or loop interference H04B7/15578
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15571 by signal isolation, e.g. isolation by frequency or by antenna pattern, or by polarization
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2606 Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/26 Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow

Abstract

A distributed repeater architecture includes a donor unit having a donor antenna integrated with active electronic components, for receiving and amplifying RF signals from a fixed station of a wireless communications network. A coverage unit is coupled to the donor unit for processing the RF signals from the fixed station. A network of integrated active antenna modules (IAAMs) is coupled to the coverage unit. Each IAAM includes a respective antenna integrated with active electronic components, for amplifying and radiating the RF signals into a coverage area of the repeater. The system also provides means for controlling stability of the distributed repeater system.

Claims

1. A distributed repeater system comprising:

a donor unit having a donor antenna integrated with active electronic components, for receiving and amplifying RF signals from a fixed station of a wireless communications network;

a coverage unit coupled to the donor unit for processing the RF signals from the fixed station;

a network of integrated active antenna modules (IAAMs) coupled to the coverage unit, each IAAM including a respective antenna integrated with active electronic components, for amplifying and radiating the RF signals into a coverage area of the repeater; and

means for controlling stability of the distributed repeater system.

2. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 1, wherein each IAAM is substantially identical with the donor unit.

3. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network of IAAMs comprises two or more IAAMs connected to the coverage unit in a chain.

4. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network of IAAMs comprises two or more IAAMs connected to the coverage unit in a star-pattern.

5. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network of IAAMs is coupled to an output port of the coverage unit.

6. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coverage unit comprises an integrated coverage antenna for radiating the RF signals into the coverage area of the repeater.

7. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for controlling stability of the distributed repeater system comprises:

a signal generator for generating a Coverage Area Signature (CAS) signal, and for inserting the CAS signal into an RF path traversing the repeater system;

a detector for detecting signal components corresponding to the CAS signal in an input signal received by the repeater system; and

a microcontroller for controlling a gain of the repeater system based on the detection result.

8. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 7, comprising one signal generator and one detector coupled to an uplink path of the repeater, and a second signal generator and detector coupled to a downlink path of the repeater.

9. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 7, wherein the signal generator, detector, and the microcontroller are disposed in the coverage unit, and wherein the microcontroller operates to control an overall gain of the repeater system

10. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 7, wherein each IAAM comprises a respective signal generator, detector, and microcontroller, and wherein the respective microcontroller of each IAAM operates to control a local gain of the IAAM.

11. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 10, wherein the respective CAS signal generated by the signal generator of each IAAM is unique, at least among the IAAMs forming the network.

12. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 7, wherein the detector and the microcontroller are disposed in the coverage unit, and each IAAM comprises a respective signal generator.

13. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 12, wherein the respective CAS signal generated by the signal generator of each IAAM is unique, at least among the IAAMs forming the network.

14. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 13, wherein the detector and microcontroller are adapted to identify a respective antenna isolation of each IAAM, based on the detection result.

15. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 14, further comprising means for controlling a local gain of each IAAM, in response to commands generated by the microcontroller.

16. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 15, wherein the means for controlling a local gain of each IAAM, comprises:

a respective IAAM microcontroller disposed in each IAAM, for receiving the commands; and

a respective variable gain amplifier responsive to the IAAM micro controller.

17. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 7, wherein each IAAM comprises a respective detector and microcontroller, and the signal generator is disposed in the coverage unit.

18. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 17, wherein the detector and microcontroller are adapted to identify a respective local antenna isolation of the IAAM, based on the detection result.

19. A distributed repeater as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a respective variable gain amplifier responsive to the microcontroller for controlling a local gain of the IAAM, in response to the microcontroller.

20. In a distributed repeater system having a donor unit for receiving and amplifying RF signals from a fixed station of a wireless communications network and a coverage unit coupled to the donor unit, for processing the RF signals from the fixed station and radiating the processed RF signals into a coverage area of the repeater, the improvement comprising:

a network of integrated active antenna modules (IAAMs) coupled to the coverage unit, each IAAM including a respective antenna integrated with active electronic components, for amplifying and radiating the processed RF signals into a respective portion of the coverage area of the repeater; and

means for controlling stability of the distributed repeater system.

21. A network as claimed in claim 20, wherein each IAAM is substantially identical with the donor unit.

22. A network as claimed in claim 20, wherein the network of IAAMs comprises two or more IAAMs connected to the coverage unit in a chain.

23. A network as claimed in claim 20, wherein the network of IAAMs comprises two or more IAAMs connected to the coverage unit in a star-pattern.

24. A network as claimed in claim 20, wherein the network of IAAMs is coupled to an output port of the coverage unit.

25. A network as claimed in claim 20, wherein the means for controlling stability of the distributed repeater system comprises:

a signal generator for generating a Coverage Area Signature (CAS) signal, and for inserting the CAS signal into an RF path traversing the repeater system;

a detector for detecting signal components corresponding to the CAS signal in an input signal received by the repeater system; and

a microcontroller for controlling a gain of the repeater system based on the detection result.

26. A network as claimed in claim 25, comprising one-signal generator and one detector coupled to an uplink path of the repeater, and a second signal generator and detector coupled to a downlink path of the repeater.

27. A network as claimed in claim 25, wherein the signal generator, detector, and the microcontroller are disposed in the coverage unit, and wherein the microcontroller operates to control an overall gain of the repeater system

28. A network as claimed in claim 25, wherein each IAAM comprises a respective signal generator, detector, and microcontroller, and wherein the respective microcontroller of each IAAM operates to control a local gain of the IAAM.

29. A network as claimed in claim 28, wherein the respective CAS signal generated by the signal generator of each IAAM is unique, at least among the IAAMs forming the network.

30. A network as claimed in claim 25, wherein the detector and the microcontroller are disposed in the coverage unit, and each IAAM comprises a respective signal generator.

31. A network as claimed in claim 30, wherein the respective CAS signal generated by the signal generator of each IAAM is unique, at least among the IAAMs forming the network.

32. A network as claimed in claim 31, wherein the detector and microcontroller are adapted to identify a respective antenna isolation of each IAAM, based on the detection result.

33. A network as claimed in claim 32, further comprising means for controlling a local gain of each IAAM, in response to commands generated by the microcontroller.

34. A network as claimed in claim 33, wherein the means for controlling a local gain of each IAAM, comprises:

a respective IAAM microcontroller disposed in each IAAM, for receiving the commands; and

a respective variable gain amplifier responsive to the IAAM micro controller.

35. A network as claimed in claim 25, wherein each IAAM comprises a respective detector and microcontroller, and the signal generator is disposed in the coverage unit.

36. A network as claimed in claim 35, wherein the detector and microcontroller are adapted to identify a respective local antenna isolation of the IAAM, based on the detection result.

37. A network as claimed in claim 36, further comprising a respective variable gain amplifier responsive to the microcontroller for controlling a local gain of the IAAM, in response to the microcontroller.