DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM TO TRANSPORT FIRST CELLULAR RF BAND CONCURRENTLY WITH ETHERNET OR SECOND CELLULAR RF BAND

• US 20160056866A1
• Filed: 07/30/2015
• Published: 02/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Golubovic, Boris, Uyehara, Lance K.
• Granted Patent: US 10,164,689 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/022 Site diversity; Macro-diversity using two or more spaced independent antennas H04B7/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/024 Co-operative use of antennas of several sites, e.g. in co-ordinated multipoint or co-operative multiple-input multiple-output [MIMO] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/04 Network management architectures or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/344 Out-of-band transfers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 Access point devices with remote components

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate to a host unit for a distributed antenna system. The host unit includes a first radio access network (RAN) interface module to communicate with a RAN node. The host unit also includes a distribution module configured to distribute transport signals between one or more downstream RJ45 connectors and the first RAN interface module. One or more non-permanent connectors are included to couple the distribution module to a second RAN interface module and one or more upstream RJ45 jacks. The one or more upstream RJ45 jacks are configured to pass Ethernet signals therethrough. The distribution module is configured to couple a downlink portion of the first transport signals and either a downlink portion of the second transport signals or a downlink Ethernet signal from one of the upstream RJ45 jacks to a first twisted pair cable connected to one of one or more downstream RJ45 jacks.

Claims

1. A distributed antenna system (DAS) comprising:

a host unit including;

a first radio access network (RAN) interface module to communicate with a RAN node, first signals corresponding to a first cellular radio frequency (RF) band, the first RAN interface module configured to convert between the first signals and first transport signals, wherein the first transport signals are in a first frequency spectrum;

a distribution module coupled to the first RAN interface module, the distribution module configured to distribute the first transport signals between one or more downstream RJ45 connectors and the first RAN interface module; and

one or more non-permanent connectors to couple the distribution module to a second RAN interface module and a set of one or more upstream RJ45 jacks, wherein the second RAN interface module is configured to communicate with a RAN node, second signals corresponding to a second cellular RF band and to convert between the second signals and second transport signals, wherein the set of one or more upstream RJ45 jacks are configured to pass Ethernet signals therethrough;

wherein the distribution module is configured to couple a downlink portion of the first transport signals and either a downlink portion of the second transport signals or a downlink Ethernet signal from one of the upstream RJ45 jacks to a first twisted pair cable connected to one of one or more downstream RJ45 jacks, wherein the distribution module is configured to couple an uplink portion of the first transport signals on the first twisted pair cable to the first RAN interface module and to couple either an uplink portion of the second transport signals or an uplink Ethernet signal from the first twisted pair cable to the one or more non-permanent connectors,

wherein the first frequency spectrum of the first transport signals is non-overlapping with a frequency spectrum of the second transport signals and with a frequency spectrum of the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals, wherein an uplink or downlink portion of the first transport signals is communicated concurrently with an uplink or downlink portion of the either the second transport signals or the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals over the first twisted pair cable; and

a first active antenna unit (AAU) including;

a host unit interface communicatively coupled to the host unit over the first twisted pair cable and to communicate the first transport signals and either the second transport signals or the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals over the first twisted pair cable, the first AAU configured to communicate first wireless RF signals in the first cellular RF band, the first wireless RF signals corresponding to the first transport signals communicated with the host unit; and

a pass-through interface to pass either the second transport signals or the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals through the first AAU between the host unit and a downstream device.

2. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein only one of the second RAN interface module or the set of one or more upstream RJ45 jacks is coupled to the distribution module at a time.

3. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the pass-through interface is configured to interface over a second twisted pair cable with the downstream device.

4. The distributed antenna system of claim 3, wherein the downstream device is a wireless access point having an Ethernet interface configured to communicate the Ethernet signals through the pass-through interface of the first AAU, wherein the set of one or more upstream RJ45 jacks are coupled to the non-permanent connectors of the distribution module to pass the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals between an upstream Ethernet device coupled to at least one of the set of one or more upstream RJ45 jacks and the first twisted pair cable such that the upstream Ethernet device and the wireless access point can communicate the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals over the first twisted pair cable.

5. The distributed antenna system of claim 3, wherein the downstream device is a second AAU having an interface configured to communicate the second transport signals with the host unit through the pass-through interface of the first AAU, the second AAU configured to communicate second wireless RF signals in the second cellular RF band, wherein the second wireless RF signals correspond to the second transport signals communicated with host unit,

wherein the second RAN interface module is installed in the host unit to communicate the second transport signals with the second AAU.

6. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the Ethernet signals include Ethernet frames of TCP/IP data and are in compliance with an IEEE 802.3 standard.

7. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the first twisted pair cable is a cable in compliance with one of the category 5, category 5e, category 6, category 6a, or category 7 specifications.

8. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the host unit is configured to provide a first power signal over the first twisted pair cable to the first AAU,

wherein the first AAU is configured to use the first power signal for operating power.

9. The distributed antenna system of claim 8, wherein the first AAU is configured to forward power from the first power signal as a second power signal to the downstream device.

10. The distributed antenna system of claim 9, wherein the host unit is configured to send a signal to the first AAU indicating whether the downstream device is a wireless access point complying with an IEEE 802.11 standard or a second AAU.

11. The distributed antenna system of claim 10, wherein if the downstream device is a second AAU, the host unit is configured to send a greater amount of power in the first power signal than if the downstream device were a wireless access point,

wherein if the downstream device is a second AAU, the first AAU is configured to send a greater amount of power in the second power signal than if the downstream device were a wireless access point.

12. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the pass-through interface includes a filter configured to filter out a downlink portion of the first transport signals and pass a downlink portion of either the second transport signals or the Ethernet signals from the first twisted pair cable through the pass-through interface to the downstream device.

13. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the first signals corresponding to the first cellular RF band communicated by the first RAN interface module are RF signals in the first cellular RF band.

14. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the second signals corresponding to the second cellular RF band communicated by the second RAN interface module are RF signals in the second cellular RF band.

15. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the first signals corresponding to the first cellular RF band communicated by the first RAN interface module comply with the common public radio interface (CPRI) specification.

16. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the second signals corresponding to the second cellular RF band communicated by the second RAN interface module comply with the common public radio interface (CPRI) specification.

17. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the RAN node is one of a base station, a base transceiver station, or an internet protocol (IP) gateway.

18. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the first transport signals are intermediate frequency (IF) signals.

19. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the second transport signal are intermediate frequency (IF) signals.

20. A host unit for a distributed antenna system, the host unit comprising:

a first radio access network (RAN) interface module to communicate with a RAN node, first signals corresponding to a first cellular radio frequency (RF) band, the first RAN interface module configured to convert between the first signals and first transport signals, wherein the first transport signals are in a first frequency spectrum;

a distribution module coupled to the first RAN interface module, the distribution module configured to distribute the first transport signals between one or more downstream RJ45 connectors and the first RAN interface module; and

one or more non-permanent connectors to couple the distribution module to a second RAN interface module and a set of one or more upstream RJ45 jacks, wherein the second RAN interface module is configured to communicate with a RAN node, second signals corresponding to a second cellular RF band and to convert between the second signals and second transport signals, wherein the set of one or more upstream RJ45 jacks are configured to pass Ethernet signals therethrough;

wherein the distribution module is configured to couple a downlink portion of the first transport signals and either a downlink portion of the second transport signals or a downlink Ethernet signal from one of the upstream RJ45 jacks to a first twisted pair cable connected to one of one or more downstream RJ45 jacks, wherein the distribution module is configured to couple an uplink portion of the first transport signals on the first twisted pair cable to the first RAN interface module and to couple either an uplink portion of the second transport signals or an uplink Ethernet signal from the first twisted pair cable to the one or more non-permanent connectors,

wherein the first frequency spectrum of the first transport signals is non-overlapping with a frequency spectrum of the second transport signals and with a frequency spectrum of the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals, wherein an uplink or downlink portion of the first transport signals is communicated concurrently with an uplink or downlink portion of the either the second transport signals or the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals over the first twisted pair cable,

wherein the first transport signals and either the second transport signal or the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals are sent between the host unit and a first active antenna unit (AAU) over the first twisted pair cable.

21. The host unit of claim 20, wherein only one of the second RAN interface module or the set of one or more upstream RJ45 jacks is coupled to the distribution module at a time.

22. The host unit of claim 20, wherein if a wireless access point is coupled downstream of the first AAU, the set of one or more upstream RJ45 jacks are coupled to the non-permanent connectors of the distribution module to pass the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals between an upstream Ethernet device coupled to at least one of the set of one or more upstream RJ45 jacks and the first twisted pair cable such that the upstream Ethernet device and the wireless access point can communicate the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals over the first twisted pair cable.

23. The host unit of claim 20, wherein if a second AAU is coupled downstream of the first AAU, the second AAU configured to communicate second wireless RF signals in the second cellular RF band, wherein the second wireless RF signals correspond to the second transport signals communicated with host unit,

wherein the second RAN interface is installed in the host unit to communicate the second transport signals with the second AAU.

24. The host unit of claim 20, wherein the Ethernet signals includes Ethernet frames of TCP/IP data and are in compliance with an IEEE 802.3 standard.

25. The host unit of claim 20, wherein the first twisted pair cable is a cable in compliance with one of the category 5, category 5e, category 6, category 6a, or category 7 specifications.

26. The host unit of claim 20, wherein the host unit is configured to provide a first power signal over the first twisted pair cable to the first AAU.

27. The host unit of claim 26, wherein the host unit is configured to send a signal to the first AAU indicating whether a wireless access point complying with an IEEE 802.11 standard or a second AAU is coupled downstream of the first AAU.

28. The host unit of claim 27, wherein if a second AAU is coupled downstream of the first AAU, the host unit is configured to send a greater amount of power in the first power signal than if the downstream device were a wireless access point.

29. The host unit of claim 20, wherein the first signals corresponding to the first cellular RF band communicated by the first RAN interface are RF signals in the first cellular RF band.

30. The host unit of claim 20, wherein the second signals corresponding to the second cellular RF band communicated by the second RAN interface are RF signals in the second cellular RF band.

31. The host unit of claim 20, wherein the first signals corresponding to the first cellular RF band communicated by the first RAN interface comply with the common public radio interface (CPRI) specification.

32. The host unit of claim 20, wherein the second signals corresponding to the second cellular RF band communicated by the second RAN interface comply with the common public radio interface (CPRI) specification.

33. The host unit of claim 20, wherein the RAN node is one of a base station, a base transceiver station, or an internet protocol (IP) gateway.

34. The host unit of claim 20, wherein the first transport signals are intermediate frequency (IF) signals.

35. The host unit of claim 20, wherein the second transport signal are intermediate frequency (IF) signals.

36. A host unit for a distributed antenna system, the host unit comprising:

a plurality of radio access network (RAN) interfaces to communicate with one or more RAN nodes, first signals corresponding to a first cellular radio frequency (RF) band and second signals corresponding to a second cellular RF band, wherein the plurality of RAN interfaces are configured to convert between the first signals and first transport signal and the second signals and second transport signals, wherein the first transport signals are in a first frequency spectrum and the second transport signals are in a second frequency spectrum;

a distribution component configured to distribute the first and second transport signals between one or more downstream RJ45 connectors and the plurality of RAN interfaces and configured to distribute Ethernet signals sent over a set of one or more upstream RJ45 between the set of one or more upstream RJ45 connectors and the one or more downstream RJ45 connectors; and

a switch coupled between the plurality of RAN interfaces and the distribution component and coupled between the set of one or more upstream RJ45 connectors and the one or more downstream RJ45 connectors,

wherein the host unit is configured to couple a downlink portion of the first transport signals to a first twisted pair cable connected to one of the one or more downstream RJ45 jacks and to set the switch in either a first state or a second state,

wherein in the first state the switch is set to couple a downlink portion of the second transport from one of the RAN interfaces to the first twisted pair cable and to couple an uplink portion of the second transport signal from the first twisted pair cable to the RAN interface,

wherein in the second state the switch is set to couple a downlink Ethernet signal from one of the upstream RJ45 connectors to the first twisted pair cable and to couple an uplink Ethernet signal from the first twisted pair cable to the one of the upstream RJ45 connectors,

wherein the first frequency spectrum of the first transport signals is non-overlapping with a frequency spectrum of the second transport signals and with a frequency spectrum of the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals, wherein an uplink or downlink portion of the first transport signals is communicated concurrently with an uplink or downlink portion of either the second transport signals or the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals over the first twisted pair cable,

wherein the first transport signals and either the second transport signals or the uplink and the uplink and downlink Ethernet signals are sent between the host unit and a first active antenna unit (AAU) over the first twisted pair cable.

37. The host unit of claim 36, wherein if a wireless access point is coupled downstream of the first AAU, the switch is set in the second state.

38. The host unit of claim 36, wherein if a second AAU is coupled downstream of the first AAU, the switch is set in the first state.

39. The host unit of claim 36, wherein the Ethernet signals include Ethernet frames of TCP/IP data and are in compliance with an IEEE 802.3 standard.

40. The host unit of claim 36, wherein the first twisted pair cable is a cable in compliance with one of the category 5, category 5e, category 6, category 6a, or category 7 specifications.

41. The host unit of claim 36, wherein the first signals corresponding to the first cellular RF band communicated by the first RAN interface are RF signals in the first cellular RF band, wherein the second signals corresponding to the second cellular RF band communicated by the second RAN interface are RF signals in the second cellular RF band.

42. The host unit of claim 36, wherein the first signals corresponding to the first cellular RF band communicated by the first RAN interface comply with the common public radio interface (CPRI) specification, wherein the second signals corresponding to the second cellular RF band communicated by the second RAN interface comply with the common public radio interface (CPRI) specification.

43. The host unit of claim 36, wherein the RAN node is one of a base station, a base transceiver station, or an internet protocol (IP) gateway.

44. The host unit of claim 36, wherein the first transport signals are intermediate frequency (IF) signals, wherein the second transport signal are intermediate frequency (IF) signals.