Universal remote radio head

• US 9,178,636 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2014
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh, Ayaz
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASEFA, DEBEBE A
• Application Number:
  US14/187,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20140241224A1
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 370254-350, 709201-213
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 digital channelized data for a first radio frequency band from a first channelized radio frequency source, wherein the first downlink digital channelized data is specific to a first channel;

wherein the first channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to convert the first downlink digital channelized data into a first downlink digital broadband signal having a single center frequency, wherein the first downlink digital broadband signal is configured to represent a portion of radio frequency spectrum having a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels including the first channel, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to be in non-overlapping locations within the first downlink digital broadband signal that reflect the location of each channel within the portion of radio frequency spectrum relative to the plurality of channels;

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 digital broadband signal to the first universal remote radio head;

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

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further configured to convert the first downlink digital broadband signal into first downlink analog radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band through at least one of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion;

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further configured to transmit the first downlink analog 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 digital 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, further comprising:

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further communicatively coupled to a second channelized to broadband conversion unit configured to receive second downlink digital channelized data for a second radio frequency band from a second channelized radio frequency source, wherein the second downlink digital channelized data is specific to a second channel;

wherein the second channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to convert the second downlink digital channelized data for the second radio frequency band into a second downlink digital broadband signal having the single center frequency, wherein the second downlink digital broadband signal is configured to represent the portion of radio frequency having the plurality of channels, the plurality of channels including the second channel, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to be in non-overlapping locations within the second downlink digital broadband signal that reflect the location of each channel within the portion of radio frequency spectrum relative to the plurality of channels;

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

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

wherein the first universal remote radio head is configured to convert the second downlink digital broadband signal into second downlink analog radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band through at least one of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion; and

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

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 digital broadband signal from the first channelized to broadband conversion unit and the second downlink digital broadband signal from the second channelized to broadband conversion unit and to sum the first downlink digital broadband signal with the second downlink digital broadband signal into an aggregate downlink digital broadband signal;

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

the first universal remote radio head further configured to receive the aggregate downlink digital broadband signal and to convert the aggregate downlink digital broadband signal into radio frequency signals in both the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band through at least one of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion; 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 further configured to transmit the aggregate downlink digital broadband signal to a second universal remote radio head;

wherein the second universal remote radio is configured to receive the aggregate downlink digital broadband signal and to convert the aggregate downlink digital broadband signal into radio frequency signals in both the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band through at least one of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion; 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.

6. 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 digital broadband signal from the first channelized to broadband conversion unit and the second downlink digital broadband signal from the second channelized to broadband conversion unit and to aggregate the first downlink digital broadband signal with the second downlink digital broadband signal into an aggregate downlink digital broadband signal;

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

the first universal remote radio head further configured to receive the aggregate downlink digital broadband signal, to extract the first downlink digital broadband signal from the aggregate downlink digital broadband signal, and to frequency convert the first downlink digital 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.

7. The distributed base station radio system of claim 6, wherein the first universal remote radio head is configured to extract the first downlink digital broadband signal from the aggregate downlink digital broadband signal through at least one of de-multiplexing and splitting apart.

8. 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 digital channelized data for a second radio frequency band from a second channelized radio frequency source, wherein the second downlink digital channelized data is specific to a second channel;

wherein the second channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to convert the second downlink digital channelized data into a second downlink digital broadband signal having the single center frequency, wherein the second downlink digital broadband signal is configured to represent the portion of radio frequency having the plurality of channels, the plurality of channels including the second channel, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to be in non-overlapping locations within the second downlink digital broadband signal that reflect the location of each channel within the portion of radio frequency spectrum relative to the plurality of channels;

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

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

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further configured to frequency convert and digital to analog convert the second downlink digital broadband signal into second downlink analog 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 analog radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band to at least one subscriber unit.

9. The distributed base station radio system of claim 8, wherein the first universal remote radio head includes a first radio frequency converter configured to frequency convert the first downlink digital broadband signal into the first downlink analog 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 digital broadband signal into the second downlink analog 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.

10. The distributed base station radio system of claim 9, wherein the first downlink analog radio frequency signals and the second downlink analog radio frequency signals are MIMO signals transmitted to a single subscriber unit.

11. The distributed base station radio system of claim 6, wherein the first universal remote radio head includes a first radio frequency converter configured to frequency convert the first downlink digital broadband signal into the first downlink analog 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 digital broadband signal into the second downlink analog 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.

12. The distributed base station radio system of claim 6, wherein the first universal remote radio head includes a single radio frequency converter configured to frequency convert both the first downlink digital broadband signal into the first downlink analog radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band and the second downlink digital broadband signal into the second downlink analog 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 1, further comprising:

a second channelized to broadband conversion unit configured to receive second downlink digital channelized data for a second radio frequency band from a second channelized radio frequency source, wherein the second downlink digital channelized data is specific to a second channel;

wherein the second channelized to broadband conversion unit is further configured to convert the second downlink digital channelized data into a second downlink digital broadband signal having the single center frequency, wherein the second downlink digital broadband signal is configured to represent the portion of radio frequency having the plurality of channels, the plurality of channels including the second channel, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to be in non-overlapping locations within the second downlink broadband signal that reflect the location of each channel within the portion of radio frequency spectrum relative to the plurality of channels;

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 digital broadband signal to the switch;

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

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

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

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

wherein the second universal remote radio head is further configured to convert the second downlink digital broadband signal into second downlink analog radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band through at least one of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion; and

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

14. 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.

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

wherein the first universal remote radio head is further configured to receive uplink analog 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 convert the uplink analog radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band into an uplink digital broadband signal though at least one of frequency conversion and analog to digital conversion;

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

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

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

16. The distributed base station radio system of claim 15, wherein downlink and uplink signals within the first radio frequency band are in distinct spectrum.

17. The distributed base station radio system of claim 15, wherein downlink and uplink signals within the first radio frequency band overlap in spectrum.

18. The distributed base station radio system of claim 15, wherein downlink and uplink signals within the first radio frequency band are separated in time using a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) scheme.

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

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

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

the first universal remote radio head further configured to receive the aggregate downlink digital broadband signal and to frequency convert the aggregate downlink digital 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.

19. A method comprising:

receiving first downlink digital channelized data for a first radio frequency band from a first channelized radio frequency source at a first channelized to broadband conversion unit, wherein the first downlink digital channelized data is specific to a first channel;

converting the first downlink digital channelized data into a first downlink digital broadband signal at the first channelized to broadband conversion unit, wherein the first downlink digital broadband signal has a single center frequency, wherein the first downlink digital broadband signal is configured to represent a portion of radio frequency spectrum having a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels including the first channel, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to be in non-overlapping locations within the first downlink digital broadband signal that reflect the location of each channel within the portion of radio frequency spectrum relative to the plurality of channels;

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

converting the first downlink digital broadband signal into first downlink analog radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band at the first universal remote radio head through at least one of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion; and

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

20. The method of claim 19, 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 digital 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.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving second downlink digital channelized data for a second radio frequency band from a second channelized radio frequency source at a second channelized to broadband conversion unit, wherein the second downlink digital channelized data is specific to a second channel;

convert the second downlink digital channelized data for the second radio frequency band into a second downlink digital broadband signal at the second channelized to broadband conversion unit, wherein the second downlink digital broadband signal has the single center frequency, wherein the second downlink digital broadband signal is configured to represent the portion of radio frequency having the plurality of channels, the plurality of channels including the second channel, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to be in non-overlapping locations within the second downlink digital broadband signal that reflect the location of each channel within the portion of radio frequency spectrum relative to the plurality of channels;

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

converting the second downlink digital broadband signal into second downlink analog radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band through at least one of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion; and

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

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

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

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

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

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

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

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

converting the aggregate downlink digital 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 through at least one of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion; 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.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

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

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

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

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

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

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

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

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

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

converting the aggregate downlink digital broadband signal into radio frequency signals in both the first radio frequency band and the second radio frequency band through at least one of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion; 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.

26. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving second downlink digital 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 digital channelized data into a second downlink digital broadband signal;

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

converting the second downlink digital broadband signal into second downlink analog radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band at the first universal remote radio head through at least one of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion; and

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

27. The method of claim 26, wherein frequency converting the first downlink digital broadband signal into first downlink analog radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band occurs at a first frequency converter of the first universal remote radio head;

wherein converting the second downlink digital broadband signal into second downlink analog 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 analog 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 analog 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.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first downlink analog radio frequency signals and the second downlink analog radio frequency signals are MIMO signals transmitted to a single subscriber unit.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein frequency converting the first downlink digital broadband signal into first downlink analog radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band occurs at a first frequency converter of the first universal remote radio head;

wherein converting the second downlink digital broadband signal into second downlink analog 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 analog radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band and the second downlink analog radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band occurs at a single power amplifier, radio frequency transceiver, and antenna set.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein converting both the first downlink digital broadband signal into the first downlink analog radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band and the second downlink digital broadband signals into the second downlink analog radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band occurs at a single radio frequency converter;

and

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

31. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

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

receiving second downlink digital channelized data for a second radio frequency band from a second channelized radio frequency source at a second channelized to broadband conversion unit, wherein the second downlink digital channelized data is specific to a second channel;

converting the second downlink digital channelized data into a second downlink digital broadband signal at the second channelized to broadband conversion unit, wherein the second downlink digital broadband signal has the single center frequency, wherein the second downlink digital broadband signal is configured to represent the portion of radio frequency having the plurality of channels, the plurality of channels including the second channel, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to be in non-overlapping locations within the second downlink digital broadband signal that reflects the location of each channel within the portion of radio frequency spectrum relative to the plurality of channels;

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

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

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

converting the second downlink digital broadband signal into second downlink analog radio frequency signals in the second radio frequency band at the second universal remote radio head through at leas tone of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion; and

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

32. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

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

converting the uplink analog radio frequency signals in the first radio frequency band into an uplink digital broadband signal at the first universal remote radio head through at least one of frequency conversion and analog to digital conversion;

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

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

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

33. The method of claim 32, wherein downlink and uplink signals within the first radio frequency band are in distinct spectrum.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein downlink and uplink signals within the first radio frequency band overlap in spectrum.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein downlink and uplink signals within the first radio frequency band are separated in time using a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) scheme.

43. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

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

receiving a second downlink digital broadband signal from a second device at the switch;

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

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

36. A universal remote radio head comprising:

an interface configured to receive a downlink digital broadband signal including digitized data for a radio frequency band from a remote channelized to broadband conversion module, wherein the downlink digital broadband signal includes a single center frequency, wherein the downlink digital broadband signal is configured to represent a portion of radio spectrum having a plurality of channels, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to be in non-overlapping locations within the first downlink digital broadband signal that reflect the location of each channel within the portion of radio frequency spectrum relative to the plurality of channels;

a converter configured to convert the downlink digital broadband signal into downlink analog radio frequency signals in the radio frequency band through at least one of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion;

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

the converter further configured to convert the uplink analog radio frequency signals in the radio frequency band into an uplink digital broadband signal through at least one of frequency conversion and analog to digital conversion; and

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

37. A method comprising:

receiving a downlink digital 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, wherein the downlink digital broadband signal includes a single center frequency, wherein the downlink digital broadband signal is configured to represent a portion of radio spectrum having a plurality of channels, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to be in non-overlapping locations within the first downlink digital broadband signal that reflects the location of each channel within the portions of radio frequency spectrum relative to the plurality of channels;

converting the downlink digital broadband signal into downlink analog radio frequency signals in the radio frequency band at the universal remote radio head through at least one of frequency conversion and digital to analog conversion;

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

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

converting the uplink analog radio frequency signals in the radio frequency band into an uplink digital broadband signal through at least one of frequency conversion and analog to digital conversion; and

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

38. A channelized to broadband conversion unit comprising:

a first interface configured to receive first downlink digital channelized data for a radio frequency band from a channelized radio frequency source coupled to the channelized to broadband conversion unit, wherein the first downlink digital channelized data is specific to a first channel;

a converter configured to convert the first downlink digital channelized data into a downlink digital broadband signal having a single center frequency, wherein the first downlink digital broadband signal is configured to represent a portion of radio frequency spectrum having a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels including the first channel, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to be in non-overlapping locations within the first downlink digital broadband signal that reflect the location of each channel within the portion of radio frequency spectrum relative to the plurality of channels;

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

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

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

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

39. The channelized to broadband conversion unit of claim 38, 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 digital channelized data and the uplink digital 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.

40. A method comprising:

receiving downlink digital channelized data for a radio frequency band from an channelized radio frequency source at a channelized to broadband conversion unit, wherein the first downlink digital channelized data is specific to a first channel;

converting the downlink digital channelized data into a downlink digital broadband signal at the channelized to broadband conversion unit, wherein the downlink digital broadband signal has a single center frequency, wherein the downlink digital broadband signal is configured to represent a portion of radio frequency spectrum having a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels including the first channel, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to be in non-overlapping locations within the downlink digital broadband signal that reflects the location of each channel within the portion of radio frequency spectrum relative to the plurality of channels;

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

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

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

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

41. The method of claim 40, 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 digital channelized data and the uplink digital 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.