Interface module for a unit of an antenna distribution system, and antenna distribution system

• US 9,258,053 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2013
• Issued: 02/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew Wireless Systems GmbH (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Andrew Wireless Systems GmbH (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Braz, Oliver, Stefanik, Jorg, Hoffman, Jaroslav
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, DHAVAL V
• Application Number:
  US14/138,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20140112374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 375/211, 375/213, 375/214, 375/285, 375/311, 375/373, 375/141, 375/219, 375/239, 375/343, 375/346, 375/347, 370/219, 370/293, 370/315, 370/396, 455/7
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25754 Star network topology
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15 Active relay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/155 Ground-based stations H04B7/204 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/047 using dedicated repeater stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/08 Trunked mobile radio systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 Access point devices with remote components

Abstract

An interface module for a unit designed to transmit and/or amplify communication signals inside an antenna distribution system includes a first analog interface for forwarding and receiving communication signals from mobile terminals and a second interface for forwarding and receiving communication signals from the antenna distribution system. A signal path forwards the received communication signals between the first and second interfaces. A controllable digital unit in the signal path is configured for digitizing incoming communication signals to digital signals and converting outgoing communication signals to analog signals. The digital unit is configured to evaluate characteristic signal parameters of the digital communication signals and select a subset of signals from the digital communication signals. The controllable digital unit is further configured for forwarding the selected subset of signals.

Claims

1. An interface module for a unit designed to transmit and/or amplify communication signals inside an antenna distribution system, the interface module comprising:

a first analog interface for forwarding and receiving communication signals from mobile terminals;

a second interface for forwarding and receiving communication signals from the antenna distribution system;

at least one signal path for forwarding the received communication signals between the first and second interfaces;

a controllable digital unit in the signal path that is configured for digitizing incoming communication signals to digital signals and converting outgoing communication signals to analog signals, the controllable digital unit being configured to evaluate characteristic signal parameters of the digital communication signals and, based on the evaluation, to select a subset of signals from the digital communication signals wherein the selected subset is separate from remaining communication signals, the controllable digital unit further configured for processing and forwarding the selected subset of signals apart from the remaining communication signals;

a communication unit coupled with the controllable digital unit and configured for receiving control data for determining how the subset of signals is processed and forwarded.

2. The interface module according to claim 1 wherein the subset of signals are selected by evaluating characteristic signal parameters including at least one of frequency, type of modulation, and transmission method.

3. The interface module according to claim 1,

the controllable digital unit being configured to detect characteristic signal parameters of the subset of signals that is selected and to forward said signal parameters with the selected subset.

4. The interface module according to claim 3,

the controllable digital unit being configured to detect and forward, as characteristic signal parameters, at least one of the signal strength, the rate, the frequency band or the type of communication of the subset of signals selected.

5. The interface module according to claim 1,

the controllable digital unit being configured to digitize the communication signals in the baseband.

6. The interface module according to claim 1,

the controllable digital unit being configured to at least one of delay or interrupt the forwarding of the selected subset of signals in the direction of the first analog interface in a controllable manner.

7. The interface module according to claim 1,

the controllable digital unit being configured to interrupt the forwarding of the selected subset of signals in the direction of the second interface in a controllable manner.

8. The interface module according to claim 1,

the controllable digital unit being configured for providing controllable frequency conversion for the selected subset of signals.

9. The interface module according to claim 1 wherein the communication unit is further configured to interchange information and control data with a master unit for controlling operation of the digital unit.

10. The interface module according to claim 1,

the communication unit comprising an interface for a digital data network in order to receive control data.

11. The interface module according to claim 1,

the communication unit being connected to the signal path for the purpose of coupling information and control data to the communication signals.

12. The interface module according to claim 1, further including at least one analog filter unit for separating the frequency bands of incoming and outgoing analog communication signals.

13. An antenna distribution system comprising:

at least one master unit;

a plurality of remote units which are connected to the master unit;

an interface module associated with each remote unit of the plurality, each interface module comprising;

a first analog interface for forwarding and receiving communication signals from mobile terminals;

a second interface for forwarding and receiving communication signals from the antenna distribution system;

at least one signal path for forwarding the received communication signals between the first and second interfaces;

a controllable digital unit in the signal path that is configured for digitizing incoming communication signals to digital signals and converting outgoing communication signals to analog signals, the controllable digital unit being configured to evaluate characteristic signal parameters of the digital communication signals and, based on the evaluation, to select a subset of signals from the digital communication signals wherein the selected subset is separate from remaining communication signals, the controllable digital unit further configured for processing and forwarding the selected subset of signals apart from the remaining communication signals;

a communication unit coupled with the controllable digital unit and configured for receiving control data for determining how the subset of signals is processed and forwarded;

the master unit being configured to selectively control the controllable digital units of the remote units and to receive and forward the subset of signals selected.

14. The interface module according to claim 13 wherein the subset of signals are selected by evaluating characteristic signal parameters including at least one of frequency, type of modulation, and transmission method.

15. The interface module according to claim 13,

the controllable digital unit being configured to detect characteristic signal parameters of the subset of signals that is selected and to forward said signal parameters with the selected subset.

16. The interface module according to claim 15,

the controllable digital unit being configured to detect and forward, as characteristic signal parameters, at least one of the signal strength, the rate, the frequency band or the type of communication of the subset of signals selected.

17. The antenna distribution system according to claim 13,

the master unit being equipped with a plurality of interface modules according to claim 13.

18. The antenna distribution system according to claim 17, further including a control computer which is configured to receive and evaluate characteristic signal parameters of the subset of signals selected and to control the digital units in accordance with the signal parameters.

19. The antenna distribution system according to claim 18,

the control computer being configured to locate the mobile terminal transmitting the selected subset of signals on the basis of at least one of the signal strengths or propagation time of the signals received from the remote units.

20. The antenna distribution system according to claim 18

the control computer being configured to control the digital units for the purpose of frequency conversion between at least one of the frequency bands or a propagation time delay of the selected subset of signals.