Radio frequency network

• US 8,428,033 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2009
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RFS Technologies Incorporated (Amphenol Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Hettstedt, Heinz-Dieter, Zorad, Robert, Schroeder, Axel, Klauke, Gerd, Schomburg, Ekkehard
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Jianye
• Application Number:
  US12/548,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20100054227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/334
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 Access point devices with remote components

Abstract

The present invention relates to radio frequency (RF) distribution systems for mobile communications. In particular, the present invention relates to a radio frequency network facilitating radio communication where the usual free space propagation of electromagnetic waves is hampered, undesired or impossible, for example in tunnels, mines, and buildings and in large complexes like exhibition grounds, shopping malls, and airports. The radio frequency network comprises a distributed antenna system having radiating elements, a wired distribution system feeding the distributed antenna system, at least one antenna amplifier between one end of the wired distribution system and the distributed antenna system, at least one line amplifier at the other end of the wired distribution system, and automatic self-leveling units included in the antenna and line amplifiers.

Claims

1. A radio frequency network, comprising;

a distributed antenna system comprising a plurality of physically separated radiating elements;

a wired distribution system feeding the distributed antenna system;

at least one antenna amplifier between one end of the wired distribution system and the distributed antenna system;

at least one line amplifier at the other end of the wired distribution system; and

automatic self-leveling units included in the antenna and line amplifiers.

2. The radio frequency network according to claim 1, wherein the automatic self-leveling units are adapted to provide a fixed output signal level for a received signal level range.

3. The radio frequency network according to claim 1, wherein the antenna and line amplifiers comprise multiplexers for separating and/or combing upload and download frequency bands.

4. The radio frequency network according to claim 1, wherein the wired distribution system comprises broadband coaxial cables, splitters, and combiners.

5. The radio frequency network according to claim 1, wherein the distributed antenna system consists of discrete antennas and/or radiating cables.

9. The radio frequency network according to claim 1 incorporated in a communication system comprising at least one mobile terminal.

10. The radio frequency network according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of physically separated radiating elements of the distributed antenna system are antennas and/or radiating cables.

6. A method for signal transmission within a radio frequency network, the network comprising a distributed antenna system having a plurality of physically separated radiating elements and a wired distribution system feeding the distributed antenna system, the method comprising:

amplifying upload and download signals in at least one antenna amplifier arranged between one end of the wired distribution system and the distributed antenna system;

amplifying the upload and download signals in at least one line amplifier arranged at the other end of the wired distribution system; and

automatically self-leveling of signals transmitted within the wired distribution system in the antenna and line amplifiers by means of self-leveling units.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the self-leveling units provide a fixed output signal level for a received signal level range.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of separating and/or combining of upload and download frequency bands in the antenna and line amplifiers by means of multiplexers.

11. A radio frequency network, comprising:

a distributed antenna system having radiating elements;

a wired distribution system feeding the distributed antenna system;

at least one antenna amplifier between one end of the wired distribution system and the distributed antenna system;

at least one line amplifier at the other end of the wired distribution system; and

automatic self-leveling units included in the antenna and line amplifiers;

wherein the at least one antenna amplifier comprises a first part and a second part;

wherein the first part comprises means for amplification of two downlink bands and one uplink band; and

wherein the second part comprises means for amplification of two uplink bands and one downlink band.

12. The radio frequency network according to claim 11, wherein the first and the second part are separated from each other.

13. The radio frequency network according to claim 12, wherein the wired distribution system comprises broadband coaxial cables, splitters, and combiners.

14. The radio frequency network according to claim 13, wherein the distributed antenna system comprises a plurality of antennas and/or radiating cables.

15. The radio frequency network according to claim 12:

wherein the at least one line amplifier comprises a third part and a fourth part;

wherein the third part comprises means for amplification of two uplink bands and one downlink band; and

wherein the fourth part comprises means for amplification of two downlink bands and one uplink band.

16. The radio frequency network according to claim 15, wherein the third and the fourth parts are separated from each other.

17. The radio frequency network according to claim 16, wherein the wired distribution system comprises broadband coaxial cables, splitters, and combiners.

18. The radio frequency network according to claim 17, wherein the distributed antenna system comprises a plurality of antennas and/or radiating cables.

19. A radio frequency network, comprising:

a distributed antenna system having radiating elements;

a wired distribution system feeding the distributed antenna system;

at least one antenna amplifier between one end of the wired distribution system and the distributed antenna system;

at least one line amplifier at the other end of the wired distribution system; and

automatic self-leveling units included in the antenna and line amplifiers;

wherein the distributed antenna system comprises a plurality of antennas and/or radiating cables.