Method and an apparatus for installing a communication system using active combiner/splitters

• US 8,515,339 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2002
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Yona, Eli, Weissman, Haim
• Primary Examiner(s): HUANG, WEN WU
• Application Number:
  US10/144,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20030040329A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,120 Days
• Field of Search: 455/7, 455/15, 455/16, 455/561, 455/127.2, 455/127.3, 455/115.1, 455/115.2, 455/80, 455/127, 455/115
• US Class Current: 455/7
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 Access point devices with remote components

Abstract

A method and apparatus that allows off-the-shelf equipment to be installed in a wide range of physical sites having a wide range of distances between a master system unit and each of a plurality of remote units. The master system unit has an integrated active combiner/splitter. The active combiner/splitter provides bi-directional gain or attenuation in each of the individual inputs/outputs to allow control of the signal level.

Claims

1. A master system unit for use in a wireless communication system, the master system unit including an input port, an output port, a plurality of bi-directional ports, a combiner/splitter, and a processor, the combiner/splitter further comprising:

a) a splitter coupled to the input port and configured to provide a plurality of separate signals based, at least in part, on a received signal;

b) a combiner coupled to the output port and configured to combine a plurality of adjusted signals;

c) a first circuit comprising a first attenuator coupled to the splitter and configured to attenuate a first one of said separate signals based, at least in part, on a first gain parameter and a first amplifier configured to amplify said attenuated first one of said separate signals, the first amplifier being coupled to a first duplexer, the first duplexer being coupled to a first one of the plurality of bi-directional ports and a second amplifier configured to amplify a first signal received from said first one of the bi-directional ports, the second amplifier being coupled to a second attenuator configured to attenuate said amplified first signals received from said first one of the bi-directional ports, to provide a first one of said adjusted signals based, at least in part, on a second gain parameter, the second attenuator being coupled to the combiner; and

d) a second circuit comprising a third attenuator coupled to the splitter and configured to attenuate a second one of said separate signals based, at least in part, on a third gain parameter and a third amplifier configured to amplify said attenuated second one of said separate signals, the third amplifier being coupled to a second duplexer, the second duplexer being coupled to a second one of the plurality of bi-directional ports and a fourth amplifier configured to amplify a second signal received from said second one of the bi-directional ports, the fourth amplifier being coupled to a fourth attenuator configured to attenuate said amplified second signal received from said second one of the bi-directional ports, to provide a second one of said adjusted signals based, at least in part, on a fourth gain parameter, the fourth attenuator being coupled to the combiner;

the processor being configured to automatically adjust an amount of gain applied individually to said separate signals and said adjusted signals by determining said first, second, third and fourth gain parameters, wherein at least one of the plurality of bi-directional ports is configured to pass an intermediate-frequency (IF) signal; and

wherein the master system unit further comprises a user port configured to communicatively couple the processor and a user, wherein the user port is further configured to exchange information between the processor and the user including communication allowing the user to provide information to the processor.

2. The master system unit of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive information regarding power levels at points outside the master system unit and determine at least one of said gain parameters in response to the power levels.

3. The master system unit of claim 1, wherein the information comprises estimates of the length of wire line to be connected between the master system unit and a remote unit, each estimate being associated with one of the plurality of bi-directional ports and wherein the processor is configured to determine at least one of said gain parameters in response to the provided estimates.

4. The master system unit of claim 1, further comprising a memory coupled to the processor.

5. The master system unit of claim 1, wherein the user port further comprises a modem.

6. The master system unit of claim 1, wherein the master system unit is coupled to at least one remote unit.

7. The master system unit of claim 6, further comprising detectors placed at locations between the master system unit and the at least one remote unit, wherein the detectors are configured to detect the amount of power in signals transferred between the master system unit and the at least one remote unit.

8. The master system unit of claim 1, further comprising a power supply coupled to the master system unit.

9. The master system unit of claim 1, wherein the master system unit is wirelessly coupled to a base station, wherein the master system unit is configured to relay the IF signal to or from the base station.

10. The master system unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of bi-directional ports is configured to pass DC power.

11. The master system unit of claim 1, wherein the information comprises system-related information transmitted to the user in response to a user request.

12. The master system unit of claim 1, wherein the user port is further communicatively coupled to a plurality of different communication mediums.

13. A master system unit for use in a wireless communication system, comprising:

a) a master system unit input port;

b) a master system unit output port;

c) a plurality of bi-directional master system unit ports;

d) a passive splitter having a splitter input port and a plurality of splitter output ports, the splitter input port being coupled to the master system unit input port;

e) a passive combiner having a combiner output port and a plurality of combiner input ports, the combiner output port being coupled to the master system unit output port;

f) a first plurality of variable attenuators, each having an attenuator input port and an attenuator output port, each attenuator input port of the first plurality of attenuators being coupled to one of the splitter output ports;

g) a second plurality of variable attenuators, each having an attenuator input port and an attenuator output port, each attenuator output port of the second plurality of attenuators being coupled to one of the combiner input ports;

h) a first plurality of amplifiers, each having an amplifier input port and an amplifier output port, each the amplifier input port being coupled to the attenuator output port of one of the first plurality of attenuators;

i) a second plurality of amplifiers, each having an amplifier input port and an amplifier output port, each amplifier output port being coupled to one of the attenuator input ports of the second plurality of attenuators;

j) a plurality of duplexers, each having a duplexer input port, a duplexer output port and a duplexer bi-directional port, each duplexer input port being coupled to one of the output ports of the first plurality of amplifiers, each duplexer output port being coupled to one of the outputs of the second plurality of amplifiers, and each duplexer bi-directional port being coupled to one of the master system unit bi-directional ports;

k) a processor configured to automatically adjust individual ones of said attenuators to individually control gains of signals transmitted from said splitter output ports and individually control gains of signals received at said combiner input ports; and

a user port configured to communicatively couple the processor and a user, wherein the user port is further configured to exchange information between the processor and the user including communication allowing the user to provide information to the processor.

14. The master system unit of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to receive information regarding power levels at points outside the master system unit and to determine at least one of the gains of individual ones of said signals transmitted from said splitter output ports and said signals received at said combiner input ports in response to the power levels.

15. The master system unit of claim 13, wherein the information comprises estimates of the length of wire line to be connected between the master system unit and a remote unit, each estimate being associated with one of the master system unit bi-directional ports and wherein the processor is configured to determine the gains in response to the provided estimates.

16. The master system unit of claim 13, further comprising a memory coupled to the processor.

17. The master system unit of claim 13, wherein the user port further comprises a modem.

18. The master system unit of claim 13, wherein the master system unit is coupled to at least one remote unit.

19. The master system unit of claim 18, further comprising detectors placed at locations between the master system unit and the at least one remote unit, wherein the detectors are configured to detect the amount of power in signals transferred between the master system unit and the at least one remote unit.

20. The master system unit of claim 13, further comprising a power supply coupled to the master system unit.

21. The master system unit of claim 13, wherein at least one of the plurality of bi-directional ports is configured to pass an IF signal.

22. The master system unit of claim 13, wherein the information comprises system-related information transmitted to the user in response to a user request.

23. The master system unit of claim 13, wherein the user port is further communicatively coupled to a plurality of different communication mediums.

24. A system for adjusting the gain of a signal comprising:

a master system unit including an input port, an output port, a plurality of bi-directional ports, and a combiner/splitter, the combiner/splitter being coupled to the input port, the output port, and the plurality of bi-directional ports, and a processor, the combiner/splitter further comprising;

a) a splitter coupled to the input port and configured to provide a plurality of separate signals based, at least in part, on a received signal;

b) a combiner coupled to the output port and configured to combine a plurality of adjusted signals;

c) a first circuit comprising a first attenuator coupled to the splitter and configured to attenuate a first one of said separate signals based, at least in part, on a first gain parameter and a first amplifier configured to amplify said attenuated first one of said separate signals, the first amplifier being coupled to a first duplexer, the first duplexer being coupled to a first one of the plurality of bi-directional ports and a second amplifier configured to amplify a first signal received from said first one of the bi-directional ports, the second amplifier being coupled to a second attenuator configured to attenuate said amplified first signals received from said first one of the bi-directional ports, to provide a first one of said adjusted signals based, at least in part, on a second gain parameter, the second attenuator being coupled to the combiner;

d) a second circuit comprising a third attenuator coupled to the splitter and configured to attenuate a second one of said separate signals based, at least in part, on a third gain parameter and a third amplifier configured to amplify said attenuated second one of said separate signals, the third amplifier being coupled to a second duplexer, the second duplexer being coupled to a second one of the plurality of bi-directional ports and a fourth amplifier configured to amplify a second signal received from said second one of the bi-directional ports, the fourth amplifier being coupled to a fourth attenuator configured to attenuate said amplified second signal received from said second one of the bi-directional ports, to provide a second one of said adjusted signals based, at least in part, on a fourth gain parameter, the fourth attenuator being coupled to the combiner;

e) at least one remote unit coupled to the master system unit;

the processor being configured to automatically determine said first, second, third and fourth gain parameters, wherein at least one of the plurality of bi-directional ports is configured to pass DC power and an IF signal with a wire line coupled to the at least one remote unit; and

a user port configured to communicatively couple the processor and a user, wherein the user port is further configured to exchange information between the processor and the user including communication allowing the user to provide information to the processor.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the processor is configured to receive information regarding power levels at points outside the master system unit and is configured to determine at least one of said gain parameters in response to the power levels.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the information comprises estimates of the length of wire line to be connected between the master system unit and the at least one remote unit and wherein the processor is configured to determine at least one of said gain parameters in response to the provided estimates.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the master system unit further comprises a memory coupled to the processor.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the user port further comprises a modem.

29. The system of claim 24, further comprising detectors placed at locations between the master system unit and the at least one remote unit, wherein the detectors are configured to detect the amount of power in signals transferred between the master system unit and the at least one remote unit.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein the master system unit further comprises a power supply coupled to the master system unit.

31. The system of claim 24, wherein the information comprises system-related information transmitted to the user in response to a user request.

32. The system of claim 24, wherein the user port is further communicatively coupled to a plurality of different communication mediums.

33. A method for automatically adjusting the gain of a signal received by a master system unit, comprising:

splitting the received signal into a plurality of separate signals;

operating a processor to automatically and individually adjust a gain of at least one of the separate signals based, at least in part, on gain parameters, wherein the gain of the at least one of the separate signals is adjusted by individually controlling attenuation of the respective at least one of the separate signals;

amplifying the adjusted at least one of the separate signals;

transmitting the amplified adjusted at least one of the separate signals to an associated remote unit; and

exchanging information between a processor of the master system unit and a user through a user port of the master system unit, the exchanging information including communication allowing the user to provide information to the processor.

34. The method of claim 33, and further comprising:

receiving signals from a plurality of remote units;

amplifying the signals received from the remote units;

operating the processor to automatically and individually adjust gains of the respective amplified received signals by individually controlling attenuation of the respective amplified received signals; and

combining the adjusted amplified received signals to provide a combined signal.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein:

the remote units are coupled to the master system unit with a plurality of wire lines, and

the master system unit is configured to receive a partially processed signal with at least one of the plurality of wire lines coupled to the remote units.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the partially processed signal is mixed at the remote unit to change frequency.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein exchanging further comprises transmitting system-related information to a user in response to a user request.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein exchanging further comprises communicatively coupling to a plurality of different communication mediums.

39. A master system unit for use in a wireless communication system, the master system unit including an input port, an output port, a plurality of bi-directional ports, a means for combining and splitting, and a processor, the means for combining and splitting further comprising:

a) a means for splitting coupled to the input port and configured to provide a plurality of separate signals based, at least in part, on a received signal;

b) a means for combining coupled to the output port and configured to combine a plurality of adjusted signals;

c) a first circuit comprising a first means for attenuating coupled to the means for splitting and configured to attenuate a first one of said separate signals based, at least in part, on a first gain parameter and a first means for amplifying configured to amplify said attenuated first one of said separate signals, the first means for amplifying being coupled to a first means for duplexing, the first means for duplexing being coupled to a first one of the plurality of bi- directional ports and a second means for amplifying configured to amplify a first signal received from said first one of the bi-directional ports, the second means for amplifying being coupled to a second means for attenuating configured to attenuate said amplified first signals received from said first one of the bi-directional ports, to provide a first one of said adjusted signals based, at least in part, on a second gain parameter, the second attenuator being coupled to the means for combining; and

d) a second circuit comprising a third means for attenuating coupled to the means for splitting and configured to attenuate a second one of said separate signals based, at least in part, on a third gain parameter and a third means for amplifying configured to amplify said attenuated second one of said separate signals, the third means for amplifying being coupled to a second means for duplexing, the second means for duplexing being coupled to a second one of the plurality of bi-directional ports and a fourth means for amplifying configured to amplify a second signal received from said second one of the bi-directional ports, the fourth means for amplifying being coupled to a fourth means for attenuating configured to attenuate said amplified second signal received from said second one of the bi-directional ports, to provide a second one of said adjusted signals based, at least in part, on a fourth gain parameter, the fourth means for attenuating being coupled to the means for combining;

the processor being configured to automatically adjust an amount of gain applied individually to said separate signals and said adjusted signals by determining said first, second, third and fourth gain parameters, wherein at least one of the plurality of bi-directional ports is configured to pass an intermediate-frequency (IF) signal; and

wherein the master system unit further comprises a user port configured to communicatively couple the processor and a user, wherein the user port is further configured to exchange information between the processor and the user including communication allowing the user to provide information to the processor.

40. A master system unit for use in a wireless communication system, comprising:

a) a master system unit input port;

b) a master system unit output port;

c) a plurality of bi-directional master system unit ports;

d) a means for passive splitting having a splitter input port and a plurality of splitter output ports, the splitter input port being coupled to the master system unit input port;

e) a means for passive combining having a combiner output port and a plurality of combiner input ports, the combiner output port being coupled to the master system unit output port;

f) a first plurality of means for variable attenuating, each having an attenuator input port and an attenuator output port, each attenuator input port of the first plurality of means for attenuating being coupled to one of the splitter output ports;

g) a second plurality of means for variable attenuating, each having an attenuator input port and an attenuator output port, each attenuator output port of the second plurality of means for attenuating being coupled to one of the combiner input ports;

h) a first plurality of means for amplifying, each having an amplifier input port and an amplifier output port, each the amplifier input port being coupled to the attenuator output port of one of the first plurality of means for attenuating;

i) a second plurality of means for amplifying, each having an amplifier input port and an amplifier output port, each amplifier output port being coupled to one of the attenuator input ports of the second plurality of means for attenuating;

j) a plurality of means for duplexing, each having a duplexer input port, a duplexer output port and a duplexer bi-directional port, each duplexer input port being coupled to one of the output ports of the first plurality of means for amplifying, each duplexer output port being coupled to one of the outputs of the second plurality of means for amplifying, and each duplexer bi-directional port being coupled to one of the master system unit bi-directional ports;

k) a processor configured to automatically adjust individual ones of said means for attenuating to individually control gains of signals transmitted from said splitter output ports and individually control gains of signals received at said combiner input ports; and

a user port configured to communicatively couple the processor and a user, wherein the user port is further configured to exchange information between the processor and the user including communication allowing the user to provide information to the processor.

41. A system for adjusting the gain of a signal comprising:

a master system unit including an input port, an output port, a plurality of bi-directional ports, and a means for combining and splitting, the means for combining and splitting being coupled to the input port, the output port, and the plurality of bi-directional ports, and a processor, the means for combining and splitting further comprising;

a) a means for splitting coupled to the input port and configured to provide a plurality of separate signals based, at least in part, on a received signal;

b) a means for combining coupled to the output port and configured to combine a plurality of adjusted signals;

c) a first circuit comprising a first means for attenuating coupled to the means for splitting and configured to attenuate a first one of said separate signals based, at least in part, on a first gain parameter and a first means for amplifying configured to amplify said attenuated first one of said separate signals, the first means for amplifying being coupled to a first means for duplexing, the first means for duplexing being coupled to a first one of the plurality of bi-directional ports and a second means for amplifying configured to amplify a first signal received from said first one of the bi-directional ports, the second means for amplifying being coupled to a second means for attenuating configured to attenuate said amplified first signals received from said first one of the bi-directional ports, to provide a first one of said adjusted signals based, at least in part, on a second gain parameter, the second attenuator being coupled to the means for combining;

d) a second circuit comprising a third means for attenuating coupled to the means for splitting and configured to attenuate a second one of said separate signals based, at least in part, on a third gain parameter and a third means for amplifying configured to amplify said attenuated second one of said separate signals, the third means for amplifying being coupled to a second means for duplexing, the second means for duplexing being coupled to a second one of the plurality of bi-directional ports and a fourth means for amplifying configured to amplify a second signal received from said second one of the bi-directional ports, the fourth means for amplifying being coupled to a fourth means for attenuating configured to attenuate said amplified second signal received from said second one of the bi-directional ports, to provide a second one of said adjusted signals based, at least in part, on a fourth gain parameter, the fourth means for attenuating being coupled to the means for combining;

e) at least one remote unit coupled to the master system unit;

the processor being configured to automatically determine said first, second, third and fourth gain parameters, wherein at least one of the plurality of bi-directional ports is configured to pass DC power and an IF signal with a wire line coupled to the at least one remote unit; and

a user port configured to communicatively couple the processor and a user, wherein the user port is further configured to exchange information between the processor and the user including communication allowing the user to provide information to the processor.

42. A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that when executed by at least one processor performs a method for automatically adjusting the gain of a signal received by a master system unit, the method comprising:

splitting the received signal into a plurality of separate signals;

automatically and individually adjusting a gain of at least one of the separate signals based, at least in part, on gain parameters, wherein the gain of the at least one of the separate signals is adjusted by individually controlling attenuation of the respective at least one of the separate signals;

amplifying the adjusted at least one of the separate signals;

transmitting the amplified adjusted at least one of the separate signals to an associated remote unit; and

exchanging information between a processor of the master system unit and a user through a user port of the master system unit, the exchanging information including communication allowing the user to provide information to the processor.