Point-to-multipoint digital radio frequency transport

• US 7,639,982 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2003
• Issued: 12/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Wala, Philip M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Duc M
• Application Number:
  US10/740,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20040132474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,202 Days
• Field of Search: 455/7, 455 14- 22, 455/553, 455/561, 455/3.01, 455/3.05, 370/906, 370/907, 370/498, 370/501, 370535-537
• US Class Current: 455/16
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 7/4006 Conversion to or from arithmetic code
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25753 Distribution optical network, e.g. between a base station and a plurality of remote units
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25754 Star network topology
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2606 Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/109 among a plurality of temporal predictive coding modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/139 Analysis of motion vectors, e.g. their magnitude, direction, variance or reliability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/625 using discrete cosine transform [DCT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/91 Entropy coding, e.g. variable length coding [VLC] or arithmetic coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0067 Provisions for optical access or distribution networks, e.g. Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network (GE-PON), ATM-based Passive Optical Network (A-PON), PON-Ring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/0047 Broadcast; Multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 : Access point devices with remote components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/906 : Fiber data distribution interface, FDDI
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/907 : Synchronous optical network, SONET

Abstract

A digital radio frequency transport system that performs bi-directional simultaneous digital radio frequency distribution is provided. The transport system includes a digital host unit and at least two digital remote units coupled to the digital host unit. The bi-directional simultaneous digital radio frequency distribution is performed between the digital host unit and the at least two digital remote units.

Claims

1. A digital radio frequency transport system, comprising:

a digital host unit; and

at least two digital remote units coupled to the digital host unit, wherein the digital host unit includes shared circuitry that performs bi-directional simultaneous digital radio frequency distribution of digitized radio frequency signals between the digital host unit and the at least two digital remote units;

wherein the digital host unit digitally sums the digitized radio frequency signals received at the digital host unit.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless interface device coupled to the digital host unit.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the wireless interface device comprises a base station that couples directly to the digital host unit via coaxial cables.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the wireless interface device comprises a base station that wirelessly connects to the digital host unit via a bi-directional amplifier.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least two digital remote units each include a main radio frequency antenna which transmits and receives radio frequency signals.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital host unit includes a radio frequency to digital converter that converts a main radio frequency signal to at least a portion of the digitized radio frequency signals.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the digital host unit further includes a multiplexer which splits the digitized radio frequency signals into at least two digital signals for optical transmission to the at least two digital remote units.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the digital host unit further comprises an alarm/control interface circuit coupled to the multiplexer.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital host unit includes local oscillators coupled to a reference oscillator for synchronization of the radio frequency signal in the forward direction and in the reverse direction.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital host unit is coupled to each of the at least two digital remote units by a multimode fiber pair.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a digital expansion unit coupled to the digital host unit, wherein the digital expansion unit contains circuitry that performs bi-directional simultaneous digital radio frequency distribution between the digital host unit and the digital remote unit.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the digital expansion unit is coupled to the digital host unit by a multimode fiber pair.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the digital expansion unit is coupled to the digital host unit by single mode fiber.

14. A digital radio frequency transport system, comprising:

a digital host unit;

at least one digital expansion unit coupled to the digital host unit; and

at least two digital remote units, each coupled to one of the digital host unit and the digital expansion unit, wherein the digital host unit includes shared circuitry that performs bi-directional simultaneous digital radio frequency distribution of digitized radio frequency signals between the digital host unit and the at least two digital remote units;

wherein the digital host unit digitally sums the digitized radio frequency signals received at the digital host unit.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a wireless interface device coupled to the digital host unit.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless interface device comprises a base station that couples directly to the digital host unit via coaxial cables.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless interface device comprises a base station that wirelessly connects to the digital host unit via a bi-directional amplifier.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the at least two digital remote units is coupled to the digital host unit.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the at least two digital remote units is coupled to the at least one digital expansion unit.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one digital expansion units are each coupled to the digital host unit via a multimode fiber pair.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one digital expansion unit is coupled to the digital host unit via a single mode fiber.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein the digital host unit includes a radio frequency to digital converter that converts a main radio frequency signal to at least a portion of the digitized radio frequency signals.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the digital host unit further includes a multiplexer which splits the digitized radio frequency signals into at least two digital signals for optical transmission to the at least two digital remote units.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein the digital host unit includes local oscillators coupled to a reference oscillator for synchronization of the radio frequency signal in the forward direction and in the reverse direction.

25. A method of performing multipoint-to-point digital radio frequency transport, the method comprising:

receiving analog radio frequency signals at multiple digital remote units;

converting the analog radio frequency signals to digital radio frequency signals at each of the digital remote units;

optically transmitting the digital radio frequency signals from each of the digital remote units to a digital host unit;

receiving the multiple digital radio frequency signals at the digital host unit;

digitally summing the multiple digital radio frequency signals together; and

converting the summed multiple digital radio frequency signals back to analog radio frequency signals and transmitting the signals to a wireless interface device for further transmission to a switched telephone network.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein converting the analog radio frequency signals to digital radio frequency signals comprises amplifying the analog radio frequency signals.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein converting the analog radio frequency signals to digital radio frequency signals comprises synchronizing a reverse path local oscillator to a master clock so as to reduce end-to-end frequency translation.

28. A method of performing point-to-multipoint digital radio frequency transport, the method comprising:

receiving radio frequency signals at a digital host unit;

converting, using a shared analog-to-digital converter, the radio frequency signals to a digitized radio frequency spectrum;

optically transmitting the digitized radio frequency spectrum output by the shared analog-to-digital converter to a plurality of digital remote units;

receiving the digitized radio frequency spectrum at the plurality of digital remote units;

converting the digitized radio frequency spectrum to analog radio frequency signals; and

transmitting the analog radio frequency signals via a main radio frequency antenna at each of the plurality of digital remote units.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein converting the radio frequency signals to a digitized radio frequency spectrum comprises amplifying the radio frequency signals.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein converting the radio frequency signals to a digitized radio frequency spectrum digital radio frequency signals comprises synchronizing a forward path local oscillator to a reference oscillator so as to reduce end-to-end frequency translation.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein converting the digitized radio frequency spectrum to analog radio frequency signals comprises amplifying the analog radio frequency signals.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein converting the digitized radio frequency spectrum to analog radio frequency signals comprises synchronizing a forward path local oscillator to a reference oscillator so as to reduce end-to-end frequency translation.

33. A method of performing point-to-multipoint digital radio frequency transport, the method comprising:

receiving radio frequency signals at a digital host unit;

converting the radio frequency signals to a digitized radio frequency spectrum;

optically transmitting a first digitized radio frequency spectrum to a first plurality of digital remote units and at least one digital expansion unit;

receiving the digitized radio frequency spectrum at the first plurality of digital remote units;

converting the digitized radio frequency spectrum to analog radio frequency signals at each of the first plurality of digital remote units;

receiving the digital radio frequency signals at the at least one digital expansion unit;

optically transmitting a second digitized radio frequency spectrum to a second plurality of digital remote units;

receiving the second digitized radio frequency spectrum at the second plurality of digital remote units;

converting the second digitized radio frequency spectrum to analog radio frequency signals at each of the second plurality of digital remote units; and

transmitting the analog radio frequency signals via a main radio frequency antenna at each of the first and second plurality of digital remote units.

34. A digital radio frequency transport system, comprising:

a digital host unit; and

at least two digital remote units coupled to the digital host unit, wherein the at least two digital remote units each include;

a main radio frequency antenna;

a duplexer coupled to the main radio frequency antenna which receives

radio frequency signals in the reverse path and transmits radio frequency signals in the forward path;

a radio frequency to digital converter coupled to the duplexer in the reverse path;

a digital to radio frequency converter coupled to the duplexer in the forward path;

a multiplexer chip set coupled to the radio frequency to digital converter in the reverse path and the digital to radio frequency converter in the forward path;

an optical transmitter coupled to an output of the multiplexer chip set; and

an optical receiver coupled to an input of the multiplexer chip set;

wherein the digital host unit includes shared circuitry that performs bi-directional simultaneous digital radio frequency distribution of digitized radio frequency signals between the digital host unit and the at least two digital remote units;

wherein the digital host unit digitally sums the digitized radio frequency signals received at the digital host unit.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the digital host unit includes an alarm/control interface circuit.

36. A digital radio frequency transport system, comprising:

a digital host unit, wherein the digital host unit includes a channel summer to digitally sum digitized RF signals received at the digital host;

at least one digital expansion unit coupled to the digital host unit; and

at least two digital remote units coupled to the digital host unit, wherein the digital host unit includes shared circuitry that performs bi-directional simultaneous digital radio frequency distribution between the digital host unit and the at least two digital remote units.

37. A first unit comprising:

an interface to communicatively couple the first unit to a plurality of second units using at least one communication medium, wherein the plurality of second units are located remotely from the first unit;

an analog-to-digital unit to digitize a downstream analog radio frequency signal produced for radiation from an antenna in order to produce downstream digital RF samples;

a digital-to-analog unit to convert a stream of summed upstream digital RF samples to a replicated upstream analog radio frequency signal; and

a digital summer to produce each of the summed upstream digital RF samples by digitally summing respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of second units;

wherein the upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of second units have an associated resolution;

wherein the digital summer has a resolution that is greater than the resolution associated with the digitized radio frequency signals being digitally summed; and

wherein the first unit communicates at least a portion of the downstream digital RF samples to the plurality of second units.

38. The first unit of claim 37, wherein the communication medium comprises at least one of single mode optical fiber, multi-mode optical fiber, and coaxial cable.

39. The first unit of claim 37, wherein the interface is operable to communicatively couple the first unit to at least one second unit using a pair of optical fibers, wherein a first optical fiber included in the pair is used to communicate the at least a portion of the downstream digital RF samples to the at least one second unit and a second optical fiber included in the pair is used to receive respective upstream digital RF samples from the at least one second unit.

40. The first unit of claim 37, wherein the first unit comprises at least one of a digital host unit and a digital expansion unit.

41. The first unit of claim 37, wherein each of the plurality of second units comprises at least one of a remote antenna unit and a remote expansion unit.

42. The first unit of claim 37, further comprising:

a respective demultiplexer for each of the plurality of second units, wherein each of the demultiplexers extracts the first digital samples from a framed serial bit stream received from a respective one of the plurality of second units.

43. The first unit of claim 37, further comprising:

a multiplexer to produce a framed serial bit stream from the second digital samples, wherein the framed serial bit stream is communicated to the plurality of second units.

44. The first unit of claim 37, further comprising a clock recovery circuit.

45. A system for bi-directional radio frequency signal distribution system comprising:

a host unit; and

a plurality of other units communicatively coupled to the host unit using at least one communication medium, wherein the plurality of other units are located remotely from the host unit;

wherein the host unit comprises;

an interface to communicatively couple the host unit to the plurality of other units using the at least one communication medium;

an analog-to-digital unit configured to digitize an original downstream analog radio frequency signal produced for radiation from a respective antenna in order to produce downstream digital RF samples;

a digital-to-analog unit configured to convert a stream of summed upstream digital RF samples to a replicated upstream analog radio frequency signal; and

a digital summer to produce each of the summed upstream digital RF samples by digitally summing respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of other units;

wherein the host unit communicates at least a portion of the downstream digital RF samples to the plurality of other units;

wherein each of the other units digitizes an original upstream analog radio frequency signal produced for radiation from a respective antenna in order to produce the upstream digital RF samples, at least a portion of which are communicated to the host unit, wherein the upstream digital RF samples have an associated resolution; and

wherein each of the other units convert the downstream digital RF samples received thereat to a replicated downstream analog radio frequency signal; and

wherein the digital summer has a resolution that is greater than the resolution associated with the upstream digital RF samples being summed.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the host unit comprises at least one of a digital host unit and a digital expansion unit.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein each of the plurality of other units comprises at least one of a remote antenna unit and a remote expansion unit.

48. The system of claim 45, further comprising:

a respective demultiplexer for each of the plurality of other units, wherein each of the demultiplexers extracts the first digital samples from a framed serial bit stream received from a respective one of the plurality of other units.

49. The system of claim 45, further comprising:

a multiplexer to produce a framed serial bit stream from the other digital samples, wherein the framed serial bit stream is communicated to the plurality of other units.

50. The system of claim 45, further comprising a clock recovery circuit.

51. A method comprising, at a first unit that is communicatively coupled to a plurality of second units, performing the following:

digitizing a downstream analog radio frequency signal produced for radiation from an antenna in order to produce downstream digital RF samples;

communicating at least a portion of the downstream digital RF samples to the plurality of second units, wherein the plurality of second units are located remotely from the first unit;

receiving from the plurality of second units respective upstream digital RF samples, wherein the upstream digital RF samples have an associated resolution;

digitally summing respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of second units in order to produce each of a stream of summed upstream digital RF samples, wherein the respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of second units are digitally summed with a resolution greater than the resolution of the upstream digital RF samples being summed;

converting the stream of summed upstream digital RF samples to a replicated upstream analog radio frequency signal.

52. A first unit comprising:

an interface configured to communicatively couple the first unit to a plurality of second units using at least one communication medium, wherein the first unit is configured to use the interface to communicate to the plurality of second units downstream digital RF samples produced from a downstream analog radio frequency signal produced for radiation from an antenna and wherein the plurality of second units are located remotely from the first unit;

a power distribution interface configured to provide power to at least one of the plurality of second units; and

a digital-to-analog unit configured to convert a stream of summed upstream digital RF samples to a replicated upstream analog radio frequency signal; and

wherein each of the summed upstream digital RF samples is produced by digitally summing respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of second units;

wherein the upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of second units have an associated resolution; and

wherein the upstream digital RF samples are digitally summed with a resolution that is greater than the resolution associated with the upstream digital RF samples being digitally summed.

53. The first unit of claim 52, further comprising an analog-to-digital unit to digitize the original downstream analog radio frequency signal in order to produce the downstream digital RF samples.

54. The first unit of claim 52, wherein the communication medium comprises at least one of single mode optical fiber, multi-mode optical fiber, and coaxial cable.

55. The first unit of claim 52, wherein the interface is operable to communicatively couple the first unit to at least one second unit using a pair of optical fibers, wherein a first optical fiber included in the pair is used to communicate the at least a portion of the downstream digital RF samples to the at least one second unit and a second optical fiber included in the pair is used to receive respective upstream digital RF samples from the at least one second unit.

56. The first unit of claim 52, wherein the first unit comprises at least one of a digital host unit and a digital expansion unit.

57. The first unit of claim 52, wherein each of the plurality of second units comprises at least one of a remote antenna unit and a remote expansion unit.

58. A system for bi-directional radio frequency signal distribution comprising:

a host unit; and

a plurality of other units communicatively coupled to the host unit using at least one communication medium, wherein the plurality of other units are located remotely from the host unit;

wherein the host unit comprises;

an interface configured to communicatively couple the host unit to the plurality of other units using the at least one communication medium, wherein the host unit is configured to use the interface to communicate to the plurality of other units downstream digital RF samples produced from an original downstream analog radio frequency signal produced for radiation from a respective antenna;

a power distribution interface to provide power to at least one of the plurality of other units;

a digital-to-analog unit configured to convert a stream of summed upstream digital RF samples to a replicated upstream analog radio frequency signal; and

a digital summer to produce each of the summed upstream digital RF samples by digitally summing respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of other units;

wherein each of the other units digitizes an original upstream analog radio frequency signal produced for radiation from a respective antenna in order to produce the upstream digital RF samples, at least a portion of which are communicated to the host unit, wherein the upstream digital RF samples have an associated resolution;

wherein the digital summer has a resolution that is greater than the resolution of the upstream digital RF samples being summed;

wherein each of the other units convert the downstream digital RF samples received thereat to a replicated downstream analog radio frequency signal; and

wherein at least one of the other units is at least partially powered by power received from the host unit.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the host unit further comprises an analog-to-digital unit to digitize the original downstream analog radio frequency signal in order to produce the downstream digital RF samples.

60. The system of claim 58, wherein the communication medium comprises at least one of single mode optical fiber, multi-mode optical fiber, and coaxial cable.

61. The system of claim 58, wherein the interface of the host unit is operable to communicatively couple the host unit to at least one other unit using a pair of optical fibers, wherein a first optical fiber included in the pair is used to communicate the at least a portion of the downstream digital RF samples to the at least one other unit and a second optical fiber included in the pair is used to receive respective upstream digital RF samples from the at least one other unit.

62. The system of claim 58, wherein the host unit comprises at least one of a digital host unit and a digital expansion unit.

63. The system of claim 58, wherein each of the plurality of other units comprises at least one of a remote antenna unit and a remote expansion unit.

64. A method comprising, at a first unit that is communicatively coupled to a plurality of second units, performing the following:

digitizing an original downstream analog radio frequency signal produced for radiation from an antenna in order to produce downstream digital RF samples;

communicating at least a portion of the downstream digital RF samples to the plurality of second units, wherein the plurality of second units are located remotely from the first unit;

receiving from the plurality of second units respective upstream digital RF samples, the upstream digital RF samples having an associated resolution;

digitally summing respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of second units in order to produce each of a stream of summed upstream digital RF samples, wherein the respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of second units are digitally summed with a resolution greater than the resolution of the upstream digital RF samples being summed;

converting the stream of summed upstream digital RF samples to a replicated upstream analog radio frequency signal; and

distributing power to at least one of the second units.

65. A first unit comprising:

an interface to communicatively couple the first unit to a plurality of second units using at least one communication medium, wherein the first unit uses the interface to communicate to the plurality of second units downstream digital RF samples produced from an original downstream analog radio frequency signal; and

a digital-to-analog unit to convert a stream of summed upstream digital RF samples to a replicated upstream analog radio frequency; and

wherein each of the summed upstream digital RF samples is produced by digitally summing respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of second units;

wherein the digital-to-analog unit comprises a digital-to-analog converter, a first mixer, and a second mixer;

wherein the stream of summed upstream digital RF samples is converted to an analog signal by the digital-to-analog converter;

wherein a signal derived from the analog signal is mixed with a first reference signal by the first mixer;

wherein a signal derived from a signal output by the first mixer is mixed with a second reference signal by the second mixer; and

wherein the second reference signal is generated by frequency dividing the first reference signal.

66. The first unit of claim 65, further comprising an analog-to-digital unit to digitize the original downstream analog radio frequency signal in order to produce the downstream digital RF samples, wherein the analog-to-digital unit comprises a third mixer, a fourth mixer, and an analog-to-digital converter;

wherein a signal derived from the original downstream analog radio frequency signal is mixed with a third reference signal by the third mixer;

wherein a signal derived from a signal output by the third mixer is mixed with the first reference signal by the fourth mixer; and

wherein a signal derived from a signal output by the fourth mixer is digitized to produce the downstream digital RF samples;

wherein the third reference signal is generated by frequency dividing the first reference signal.

67. The first unit of claim 66, wherein the signal derived from the signal output by the fourth mixer that is digitized to produce the downstream digital RF samples is produced by adding dither to the signal output by fourth mixer.

68. The first unit of claim 65, wherein the first unit comprises at least one of a digital host unit and a digital expansion unit.

69. The first unit of claim 65, wherein each of the plurality of second units comprises at least one of a remote antenna unit and a remote expansion unit.

70. A system for bi-directional radio frequency signal distribution comprising:

a host unit; and

a plurality of other units communicatively coupled to the host unit using at least one communication medium;

wherein the host unit comprises;

an interface to communicatively couple the host unit to the plurality of other units using the at least one communication medium, wherein the host unit uses the interface to communicate to the plurality of other units downstream digital RF samples produced from an original downstream analog radio frequency signal; and

a digital-to-analog unit to convert a stream of summed upstream digital RF samples to a replicated upstream analog radio frequency; and

wherein each of the summed upstream digital RF samples is produced by digitally summing respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of other units;

wherein the digital-to-analog unit comprises a digital-to-analog converter, a first mixer, and a second mixer;

wherein the stream of summed upstream digital RF samples is converted to an analog signal by the digital-to-analog converter;

wherein a signal derived from the analog signal is mixed with a first reference signal by the first mixer;

wherein a signal derived from a signal output by the first mixer is mixed with a second reference signal by the second mixer;

wherein the second reference signal is generated by frequency dividing the first reference signal;

wherein each of the other units digitizes an original upstream analog radio frequency in order to produce the upstream digital RF samples, at least a portion of which are communicated to the host unit;

wherein each of the other units convert the downstream digital RF samples received thereat to a replicated downstream analog radio frequency; and

wherein at least one of the other units is at least partially powered by power received from the host unit.

71. The system of claim 70, wherein the host unit further comprises an analog-to-digital unit to digitize the original downstream analog radio frequency signal in order to produce the downstream digital RF samples, wherein the analog-to-digital unit comprises a third mixer, a fourth mixer, and an analog-to-digital converter;

wherein a signal derived from the original downstream analog radio frequency signal is mixed with a third reference signal by the third mixer;

wherein a signal derived from a signal output by the third mixer is mixed with the first reference signal by the fourth mixer; and

wherein a signal derived from a signal output by the fourth mixer is digitized to produce the downstream digital RF samples;

wherein the third reference signal is generated by frequency dividing the first reference signal.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein the signal derived from the signal output by the fourth mixer that is digitized to produce the downstream digital RF samples is produced by adding dither to the signal output by fourth mixer.

73. The system of claim 70, wherein the host unit further comprises an analog-to-digital unit to digitize the original downstream analog radio frequency signal in order to produce the downstream digital RF samples.

74. A method comprising, at a first unit that is communicatively coupled to a plurality of second units, performing the following:

digitizing an original downstream analog radio frequency signal in order to produce downstream digital RF samples;

communicating at least a portion of the downstream digital RF samples to the plurality of second units;

receiving from the plurality of second units respective upstream digital RF samples;

digitally summing respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of second units in order to produce each of a stream of summed upstream digital RF samples;

converting the stream of summed upstream digital RF samples to an analog signal;

mixing a signal derived from the analog signal is with a first reference signal to produce a first mixed signal;

mixing a signal derived from a first mixed signal with a second reference signal; and

generating the second reference signal by frequency dividing the first reference signal.

75. A first unit comprising:

an interface to communicatively couple the first unit to the plurality of second units using at least one communication medium;

an analog-to-digital unit to digitize an original downstream analog radio frequency signal in order to produce downstream digital RF samples;

a digital-to-analog unit to convert a stream of summed upstream digital RF samples to a replicated upstream analog radio frequency; and

wherein the first unit produces each of the summed upstream digital RF samples by digitally summing respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of second units; and

wherein the first unit communicates at least a portion of the downstream digital RF samples to the plurality of second units;

wherein sample rates used by the host unit and the other units are locked together.

76. The first unit of claim 75, wherein the first unit comprises at least one of a digital host unit and a digital expansion unit.

77. The first unit of claim 75, wherein each of the plurality of second units comprises at least one of a remote antenna unit and a remote expansion unit.

78. A system for bi-directional radio frequency signal distribution system comprising:

a host unit; and

a plurality of other units communicatively coupled to the host unit using at least one communication medium;

wherein the host unit comprises;

an interface to communicatively couple the host unit to the plurality of other units using the at least one communication medium;

an analog-to-digital unit to digitize an original downstream analog radio frequency signal in order to produce downstream digital RF samples; and

a digital-to-analog unit to convert summed upstream digital RF samples to a replicated upstream analog radio frequency; and

wherein the host unit produces each of the summed upstream digital RF samples by digitally summing respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of other units; and

wherein the host unit communicates at least a portion of the downstream digital RF samples to the plurality of other units;

wherein each of the other units digitizes an original upstream analog radio frequency in order to produce the upstream digital RF samples, at least a portion of which are communicated to the host unit;

wherein each of the other units convert the downstream digital RF samples received thereat to a replicated downstream analog radio frequency; and

wherein sample rates used by the host unit and the other units are locked together.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein the host unit comprises at least one of a digital host unit and a digital expansion unit.

80. The system of claim 78, wherein each of the plurality of other units comprises at least one of a remote antenna unit and a remote expansion unit.

81. A first unit comprising:

means for communicatively coupling the first unit to a plurality of second units;

means for digitizing an original downstream analog radio frequency signal in order to produce downstream digital RF samples;

means for communicating at least a portion of the downstream digital RF samples to the plurality of second units;

means for receiving from the plurality of second units respective upstream digital RF samples, the upstream digital RF samples having an associated resolution;

means for digitally summing respective upstream digital RF samples received from the plurality of second units in order to produce each of a stream of summed upstream digital RF samples, wherein the means for digitally summing has a resolution that is greater than the resolution of the upstream digital RF samples being summed; and

means for converting the stream of summed upstream digital RF samples to a replicated upstream analog radio frequency.