UNIVERSAL REMOTE RADIO HEAD

• US 20140241224A1
• Filed: 02/21/2014
• Published: 08/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Fischer, Larry G., Wala, Philip M., Zavadsky, Dean, Uyehara, Lance K., Forland, Jody
• Granted Patent: US 9,178,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/294
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/04 using two or more spaced independent antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0413 MIMO systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/79 using downlink of the CATV systems, e.g. audio broadcast via CATV network
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/00 Time-division multiplex systems H04J14/00 takes precedence; relay systems H04B7/14; selecting techniques H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 Access point devices with remote components

Abstract

A distributed base station radio system includes first channelized to broadband conversion unit that receives first downlink channelized data for first radio frequency band from first channelized radio frequency source; and first universal remote radio head communicatively coupled to first channelized to broadband conversion unit. First channelized to broadband conversion unit converts first downlink channelized data into a first downlink broadband signal. First channelized to broadband conversion unit communicates the first downlink broadband signal to first universal remote radio head. First universal remote radio head receives first downlink broadband signal. First universal remote radio head frequency converts the first downlink broadband signal into first downlink radio frequency signals in first radio frequency band. First universal remote radio head is further configured to transmit first downlink radio frequency signals in first radio frequency band to first subscriber unit.

Claims

1. A distributed base station radio system comprising:

a first channelized to broadband conversion unit configured to receive first downlink channelized data for a first radio frequency band from a first channelized radio frequency source;

wherein the first channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to convert the first downlink channelized data into a first downlink broadband signal;

a first universal remote radio head communicatively coupled to the first channelized to broadband conversion unit;

wherein the first channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to communicate the first downlink broadband signal to the first universal remote radio head;

wherein the first universal remote radio head is configured to receive the first downlink broadband signal;

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further configured to frequency convert the first downlink broadband signal into first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band;

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further configured to transmit the first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band to a first subscriber unit.

2. The distributed base station radio system of claim 1, wherein the first channelized radio frequency source is at least one of a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) base station interface, an Open Base Station Architecture Initiative (OBSAI) base station interface, and an Open Radio Interface (ORI) interface;

and

wherein the first downlink channelized data is formatted according to at least one of a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) standard, an Open Base Station Architecture Initiative (OBSAI) standard, and an Open Radio Interface (ORI) standard.

3. The distributed base station radio system of claim 1, wherein the first universal remote radio head is further communicatively coupled to a second channelized to broadband conversion unit configured to receive second downlink channelized data for a second radio frequency band from a second channelized radio frequency source;

wherein the second channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to convert the second downlink channelized data for the second radio frequency band into a second downlink broadband signal; and

wherein the second channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to communicate the second downlink broadband signal to the first universal remote radio head.

4. The distributed base station radio system of claim 3, further comprising:

a switch communicatively coupled between both the first channelized to broadband conversion unit and the second channelized to broadband conversion unit and the first universal remote radio head, the switch configured to receive the first downlink broadband signal from the first channelized to broadband conversion unit and the second downlink broadband signal from the second channelized to broadband conversion unit and to aggregate the first downlink broadband signal with the second downlink broadband signal into an aggregate downlink broadband signal;

the switch further configured to transmit the aggregate downlink broadband signal to the first universal remote radio head;

the first universal remote radio head further configured to receive the aggregate downlink broadband signal and to frequency convert the aggregate downlink broadband signal into radio frequency signals in both the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band; and

the first universal remote radio head further configured to transmit the radio frequency signals in both the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band to at least one subscriber unit.

5. The distributed base station radio system of claim 4, wherein the switch is configured to aggregate the first downlink broadband signal with the second downlink broadband signal through at least one of summing, multiplexing, and combining.

6. The distributed base station radio system of claim 4, wherein the switch is further configured to transmit the aggregate downlink broadband signal to a second universal remote radio head;

wherein the second universal remote radio is configured to receive the aggregate downlink broadband signal and to frequency convert the aggregate downlink broadband signal into radio frequency signals in both the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band; and

wherein the second universal remote radio head is further configured to transmit the radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band to at least one subscriber unit.

7. The distributed base station radio system of claim 3, further comprising:

a switch communicatively coupled between both the first channelized to broadband conversion unit and the second channelized to broadband conversion unit and the first universal remote radio head, the switch configured to receive the first downlink broadband signal from the first channelized to broadband conversion unit and the second downlink broadband signal from the second channelized to broadband conversion unit and to aggregate the first downlink broadband signal with the second downlink broadband signal into an aggregate downlink broadband signal;

the switch further configured to transmit the aggregate downlink broadband signal to the first universal remote radio head;

the first universal remote radio head further configured to receive the aggregate downlink broadband signal, to extract the first downlink broadband signal from the aggregate downlink broadband signal, and to frequency convert the first downlink broadband signal into radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band;

the first universal remote radio head further configured to transmit the first radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band to at least one subscriber unit.

8. The distributed base station radio system of claim 7, wherein the first universal remote radio head is configured to extract the first downlink broadband signal from the aggregate downlink broadband signal through at least one of de-multiplexing and splitting apart.

9. The distributed base station radio system of claim 1, wherein the first universal remote radio head is further communicatively coupled to a second channelized to broadband conversion unit configured to receive second downlink channelized data for a second radio frequency band from a second channelized radio frequency source;

wherein the second channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to convert the second downlink channelized data into a second downlink broadband signal;

wherein the second channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to communicate the second downlink broadband signal to the first universal remote radio head;

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further configured to receive the second downlink broadband signal;

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further configured to frequency convert the second downlink broadband signal into second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band; and

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further configured to transmit the second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band to at least one subscriber unit.

10. The distributed base station radio system of claim 9, wherein the first universal remote radio head includes a first radio frequency converter configured to frequency convert the first downlink broadband signal into the first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band;

wherein the first universal remote radio head includes a second radio frequency converter configured to frequency convert the second downlink broadband signal into the second downlink radio frequency signals;

wherein the first universal remote radio head includes a first power amplifier, radio frequency transceiver, and antenna set configured to transmit the first radio frequency band; and

wherein the first universal remote radio head includes a second power amplifier, radio frequency transceiver, and antenna set configured to transmit the second radio frequency band.

11. The distributed base station radio system of claim 10, wherein the first downlink radio frequency signals and the second downlink radio frequency signals are MIMO signals transmitted to a single subscriber unit.

12. The distributed base station radio system of claim 7, wherein the first universal remote radio head includes a first radio frequency converter configured to frequency convert the first downlink broadband signal into the first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band;

wherein the first universal remote radio head includes a second radio frequency converter configured to frequency convert the second downlink broadband signal into the second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band; and

wherein the first universal remote radio head includes a single power amplifier, radio frequency transceiver, and antenna set configured to transmit both the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band.

13. The distributed base station radio system of claim 7, wherein the first universal remote radio head includes a single radio frequency converter configured to frequency convert both the first downlink broadband signal into the first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band and the second downlink broadband signal into the second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band;

and

wherein the first universal remote radio head includes a single power amplifier, radio frequency transceiver, and antenna set configured to transmit both the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band.

14. The distributed base station radio system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second channelized to broadband conversion unit configured to receive second downlink channelized data for a second radio frequency band from a second channelized radio frequency source;

wherein the second channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to convert the second downlink channelized data into a second downlink broadband signal;

a second universal remote radio head communicatively coupled to the second channelized to broadband conversion unit;

a switch communicatively coupled between both the first channelized to broadband conversion unit and the second channelized to broadband conversion unit and the first universal remote radio head and the second universal remote radio head;

wherein the first channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to communicate the first downlink broadband signal to the switch;

wherein the second channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to communicate the second downlink broadband signal to the switch;

wherein the switch is configured to communicate the first downlink broadband signal to the first universal remote radio head;

wherein the switch is configured to communicate the second downlink broadband signal to the second universal remote radio head;

wherein the second universal remote radio head is configured to receive the second downlink broadband signal;

wherein the second universal remote radio head is further configured to frequency convert the second downlink broadband signal into second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band; and

wherein the second universal remote radio head is further configured to transmit the second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band to at least one subscriber unit.

15. The distributed base station radio system of claim 1, wherein the first channelized radio frequency source is a base band unit of a wireless access base station.

16. The distributed base station radio system of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further configured to receive uplink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band from the first subscriber unit;

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further configured to frequency convert the uplink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band into an uplink broadband signal;

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further configured to communicate the uplink broadband signal to the first channelized to broadband conversion unit;

wherein the first channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to receive the uplink broadband signal;

wherein the first channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to convert the uplink broadband signal into uplink channelized data for the first radio frequency band; and

wherein the first channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to communicate the uplink channelized data for the first radio frequency band to the first channelized radio frequency source.

17. The distributed base station radio system of claim 16, wherein downlink and uplink signals within the first radio frequency band are in distinct spectrum.

18. The distributed base station radio system of claim 16, wherein downlink and uplink signals within the first radio frequency band overlap in spectrum.

19. The distributed base station radio system of claim 16, wherein the downlink and uplink signals within the first radio frequency band are separated in time using a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) scheme.

20. A method comprising:

receiving first downlink channelized data for a first radio frequency band from a first channelized radio frequency source at a first channelized to broadband conversion unit;

converting the first downlink channelized data into a first downlink broadband signal at the first channelized to broadband conversion unit;

communicating the first downlink broadband signal to a first universal remote radio head from the first channelized to broadband conversion unit;

frequency converting the first downlink broadband signal into first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band at the first universal remote radio head; and

transmitting the first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band to a first subscriber unit at the first universal remote radio head.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first channelized radio frequency source is at least one of a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) base station interface, an Open Base Station Architecture Initiative (OBSAI) base station interface, and an Open Radio Interface (ORI) interface;

and

wherein the first downlink channelized data is formatted according to at least one of a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) standard, an Open Base Station Architecture Initiative (OBSAI) standard, and an Open Radio Interface (ORI) standard.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

receiving second downlink channelized data for a second radio frequency band from a second channelized radio frequency source at a second channelized to broadband conversion unit;

convert the second downlink channelized data for the second radio frequency band into a second downlink broadband signal at the second channelized to broadband conversion unit;

communicating the second downlink broadband signal from the second channelized to broadband conversion unit to the first universal remote radio head;

frequency converting the second downlink broadband signal into radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band; and

transmitting the radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band to at least one subscriber unit at the first universal remote radio head.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving the first downlink broadband signal from the first channelized to broadband conversion unit at a switch;

receiving the second downlink broadband signal from the second channelized to broadband conversion unit at the switch;

aggregating the first downlink broadband signal with the second downlink broadband signal into an aggregate downlink broadband signal at the switch; and

communicating the aggregate downlink broadband signal from the switch to the first universal remote radio head.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein aggregating the first downlink broadband signal with the second downlink broadband signal into an aggregate downlink broadband signal at the switch includes at least one of summing, multiplexing, and combining the first downlink broadband signal with the second downlink broadband signal.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

communicating the aggregate downlink broadband signal from the switch to a second universal remote radio head;

converting the aggregate downlink broadband signal into radio frequency signals in both the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band at the second universal remote radio head; and

transmitting the radio frequency signals in both the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band at the second universal remote radio head.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

communicating the aggregate downlink broadband signal from the switch to a second universal remote radio head;

extracting the second downlink broadband signals from the aggregate downlink broadband signal;

converting the second downlink broadband signal into second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band at the second universal remote radio head; and

transmitting the second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band at the second universal remote radio head.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein extracting the second downlink broadband signals from the aggregate downlink broadband signal includes at least one of de-multiplexing and splitting apart.

28. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving the first downlink broadband signal from the first channelized to broadband conversion unit at a switch;

receiving the second downlink broadband signal from the second channelized to broadband conversion unit at the switch;

aggregating the first downlink broadband signal with the second downlink broadband signals into an aggregate downlink broadband signal at the switch;

communicating the aggregate downlink broadband signal from the switch to the first universal remote radio head;

frequency converting the aggregate downlink broadband signal into radio frequency signals in both the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band; and

transmitting the radio frequency signals in both the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band to at least one subscriber unit at the first universal remote radio head.

29. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

receiving second downlink channelized data for a second radio frequency band from a second channelized radio frequency source at a second channelized to broadband conversion unit;

converting the second downlink channelized data into a second downlink broadband signal;

communicating the second downlink broadband signal to the first universal remote radio head from the second channelized to broadband conversion unit;

frequency converting the second downlink broadband signal into second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band at the first universal remote radio head; and

transmitting the second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band to at least one subscriber unit.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein frequency converting the first downlink broadband signal into first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band occurs at a first frequency converter of the first universal remote radio head;

wherein frequency converting the second downlink broadband signal into second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band occurs at a second frequency converter of the first universal remote radio head;

wherein transmitting the first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band to a first subscriber unit at the first universal remote radio head occurs at a first power amplifier, radio frequency transceiver, and antenna set of the first universal remote radio head; and

wherein transmitting the second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band to a second subscriber unit at the first universal remote radio head occurs at a second power amplifier, radio frequency transceiver, and antenna set of the first universal remote radio head.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the first downlink radio frequency signals and the second downlink radio frequency signals are MIMO signals transmitted to a single subscriber unit.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein frequency converting the first downlink broadband signal into first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band occurs at a first frequency converter of the first universal remote radio head;

wherein frequency converting the second downlink broadband signal into second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band occurs at a second frequency converter of the first universal remote radio head; and

wherein transmitting both the first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band and the second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band occurs at a single power amplifier, radio frequency transceiver, and antenna set.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein frequency converting both the first downlink broadband signal into the first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band and the second downlink broadband signals into the second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band occurs at a single radio frequency converter;

and

wherein transmitting both the first downlink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band and the second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band occurs at a single power amplifier, radio frequency transceiver, and antenna set.

34. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

communicating the first downlink broadband signal from the first channelized to broadband conversion unit to a switch;

receiving second downlink channelized data for a second radio frequency band from a second channelized radio frequency source at a second channelized to broadband conversion unit;

converting the second downlink channelized data into a second downlink broadband signal at the second channelized to broadband conversion unit;

communicating the second downlink broadband signal from the second channelized to broadband conversion unit to the switch;

communicating the first downlink broadband signal from the switch to the first universal remote radio head;

communicating the second downlink broadband signal from the switch to the second universal remote radio head;

frequency converting the second downlink broadband signal into second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band at the second universal remote radio head; and

transmitting the second downlink radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band to at least one subscriber unit at the second universal remote radio head.

35. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

receiving uplink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band from the first subscriber unit at the first universal remote radio head;

frequency converting the uplink radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band into an uplink broadband signal at the first universal remote radio head;

communicating the uplink broadband signal to the first channelized to broadband conversion unit from the first universal remote radio head;

converting the uplink broadband signal into uplink channelized data for the first radio frequency band at the first channelized to broadband conversion unit; and

communicating the uplink channelized data for the first radio frequency band to the first channelized radio frequency source at the first channelized to broadband conversion unit.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein downlink and uplink signals within the first radio frequency band are in distinct spectrum.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein downlink and uplink signals within the first radio frequency band overlap in spectrum.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the downlink and uplink signals within the first radio frequency band are separated in time using a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) scheme.

39. A universal remote radio head comprising:

an interface configured to receive a downlink broadband signal including digitized data for a radio frequency band from a remote channelized to broadband conversion module;

a frequency converter configured to frequency convert the downlink broadband signal into downlink radio frequency signals in the radio frequency band;

a radio frequency transceiver and antenna pair configured to transmit the downlink radio frequency signals in the radio frequency band to a first subscriber unit;

the radio frequency transceiver and antenna pair further configured to receive uplink radio frequency signals in the radio frequency band from the first subscriber unit;

the frequency converter further configured to frequency convert the uplink radio frequency signals in the radio frequency band into an uplink broadband signal; and

wherein the interface is configured to communicate the uplink broadband signal including digitized data for the radio frequency band to the remote channelized to broadband conversion module.

40. A method comprising:

receiving a downlink broadband signal including digitized data from a radio frequency band communicated from a remote channelized to broadband conversion module at a universal remote radio head;

frequency converting the downlink broadband signal into downlink radio frequency signals in the radio frequency band at the universal remote radio head;

transmitting the downlink radio frequency signals in the radio frequency band to a first subscriber unit;

receiving uplink radio frequency signals in the radio frequency band from the first subscriber unit;

frequency converting the uplink radio frequency signals in the radio frequency band into an uplink broadband signal; and

communicating the uplink broadband signal to the remote channelized to broadband conversion module at the universal remote radio head.

41. A channelized to broadband conversion unit comprising:

a first interface configured to receive first downlink channelized data for a radio frequency band from a channelized radio frequency source coupled to the channelized to broadband conversion unit;

a converter configured to convert the first downlink channelized data into a downlink broadband signal;

a second interface configured to communicate the downlink broadband signal to a universal remote radio head;

wherein the second interface is further configured to receive an uplink broadband signal from the universal remote radio head;

wherein the converter is further configured to convert the uplink broadband signal from the universal remote radio head into uplink channelized data for the radio frequency band; and

wherein the first interface is further configured to communicate uplink channelized data for the radio frequency band to the channelized radio frequency source coupled to the channelized to broadband conversion unit.

42. The channelized to broadband conversion unit of claim 41, wherein the channelized radio frequency source is at least one of a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) base station interface, an Open Base Station Architecture Initiative (OBSAI) base station interface, and an Open Radio Interface (ORI) interface;

and

wherein the first downlink channelized data and the uplink channelized data are formatted according to at least one of a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) standard, an Open Base Station Architecture Initiative (OBSAI) standard, and an Open Radio Interface (ORI) standard.

43. A method comprising:

receiving downlink channelized data for a radio frequency band from an channelized radio frequency source at a channelized to broadband conversion unit;

converting the downlink channelized data into a downlink broadband signal at the channelized to broadband conversion unit;

communicating the downlink broadband signal to a universal remote radio head;

receiving an uplink broadband signal from the universal remote radio head;

converting the uplink broadband signal into uplink channelized data for the radio frequency band at the channelized to broadband conversion unit; and

communicating the uplink channelized data for the radio frequency band to the channelized radio frequency source coupled to the channelized to broadband conversion unit.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the channelized radio frequency source is at least one of a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) base station interface, an Open Base Station Architecture Initiative (OBSAI) base station interface, and an Open Radio Interface (ORI) interface;

and

wherein the downlink channelized data and the uplink channelized data are formatted according to at least one of a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) standard, an Open Base Station Architecture Initiative (OBSAI) standard, and an Open Radio Interface (ORI) standard.