Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include combining power from isolated power paths for powering remote units in distributed antenna systems (DASs). In one example, a remote unit(s) is configured to include multiple input power ports for receiving power from multiple power paths. The received power from each input power port is combined to provide a combined output power for powering the remote unit. Thus, a remote unit can be powered by the combined output power. To avoid differences in received power on the multiple input power ports causing a power supply to supply higher power than designed or regulated, the input power ports in the remote unit are electrically isolated from each other. Further, the received power on the multiple power inputs ports can be controlled to be proportionally provided to the combined output power according to the maximum power supplying capabilities of the respective power supplies.

Abstract: System-wide uplink band gain control in a distributed antenna system (DAS) based on per-band gain control of remote uplink paths in remote units is disclosed. In one embodiment, for each uplink band in the DAS, a gain control system receives remote uplink band power measurements for each remote uplink path for the uplink band. Based on these power measurements, the gain control system determines if the uplink gain of all of the remote uplink paths of the plurality of uplink paths of the uplink band should be adjusted. If the uplink gain of the remote uplink paths of the uplink band should be adjusted, the gain control system directs a remote uplink gain control circuit for each remote uplink path of the uplink band to adjust the uplink gain by a defined remote uplink band gain level.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include distributed antenna systems (DASs) supporting expanded, programmable communications services distribution to remote communications service sector areas. In one embodiment, the DAS includes a first programmable switch for distributing downlink communications signals into one or more communications service sector sets. The DAS further includes a second programmable switch configured to distribute the one or more communications service sector sets to one or more remote communications service sector areas. A configurable extender module is also included to provide expanded routing of communications service sector sets in the DAS.

Abstract: Individualized gain control of uplink paths in remote units in a distributed antenna system (DAS) based on individual remote unit contribution to combined uplink power is disclosed. The gain level is reduced for uplink paths of individual remote units that provide higher power contribution to the combined uplink power of a combined uplink communications signal received in the central unit. This allows the initial uplink gain of all remote units to be set higher to increase sensitivity, because the gain of the remote units that provide higher power contributions to the combined uplink power in the central unit can be reduced if the combined uplink power exceeds the desired threshold power level. The gain of the remote units that provide higher power contributions to the combined uplink power in the central unit can be reduced without reducing the gain in the other remote units that would otherwise reduce their sensitivity.

Abstract: An optical communications system includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver optically coupled to an optical combiner/splitter, the combiner/splitter coupled to optical media; and, another optical transmitter and another optical receiver optically coupled to another optical combiner/splitter, the another combiner/splitter remotely coupled to the optical media; wherein the optical transmitter and the another optical transmitter are configured to transmit optical signals at substantially the same wavelength.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to determining location of client devices in a distributed antenna system (DAS) based on detecting uplink received power. In this regard, a client device location system is provided in the DAS to configure each remote unit in the DAS to generate a power-regulated UL communications signal based on an assigned power pattern. If a respective power pattern of a reference signal(s) uniquely identifying a client device corresponds to the assigned power pattern of the remote unit that generates the power-regulated UL communications signal, the client device location system reports the location of the remote unit as the location of the client device in the DAS. Hence, it is possible to locate the client device based on the location of the remote unit, thus providing the location of the client device with higher degree of accuracy.

Abstract: Individualized gain control of remote uplink band paths in a remote unit in a distributed antenna system (DAS) based on combined uplink power level in the remote unit. The combined uplink power of a combined uplink communications signal in a remote unit is measured. If the combined uplink power level exceeds a defined uplink threshold power level for the remote unit, the gain is reduced for individual uplink band paths that provide a higher power contribution to the combined uplink power of combined uplink communications signal in the remote unit. This allows the initial uplink gain of the uplink band paths in a remote unit to be set higher to increase sensitivity, because the gain of the uplink band paths providing higher power contributions to the combined uplink power in the remote unit can be reduced, without reducing gain in other uplink band paths of the remote unit.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) equalizer includes a coupler including an input port, an output port, a coupling port, and an isolation port; a combination circuit including; a coupling node electrically coupled to the coupling port; a first digitally controlled capacitor (DTC) connected between the coupling node and ground; a resistor connected between the coupling node and ground for controlling a quality factor (Q) of resonance of the equalizer; an isolation node coupled to the isolation port; and a second DTC connected between the isolation node and ground. A system and a method of operation are provided.

Abstract: A voltage controlled optical directional coupler (VCODC) having a coupling ratio that can be adjusted to any desired value through voltage tuning is disclosed. The VCODC may include a first optical hybrid coupler and a second optical hybrid coupler, which may be coupled with each other via one or more voltage controlled optical elements having a variable transparency depending on a voltage applied to the one or more voltage controlled optical elements. The VCODC may be configured to divert a portion of optical power received to a trunk input of the VCODC to a tap output of the VCODC based on the variable coupling ratio of the VCODC, which may be dependent on the variable transparency of the one or more voltage controlled optical elements.

Abstract: Optimizing ripple reductions in equalizers shared between multiple interface ports in a distributed antenna system (DAS). In one aspect, a downlink equalizer is shared between a downlink simplex port and a duplex port in a radio interface module(s) (RIM(s)) in the DAS. In another aspect, to optimize ripple reduction in the downlink equalizer, the downlink equalizer is configured to go through a plurality of downlink equalizer states that each can generate a downlink equalizer frequency response affecting downlink ripple of the RIM(s). At each of the downlink equalizer states, a test signal is provided to the downlink equalizer and a corresponding downlink ripple of the RIM(s) is recorded. When all of the downlink equalizer states are evaluated based on the test signal, the downlink equalizer is configured to function based on the downlink equalizer state associated with the smallest downlink ripple of the RIM(s).

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and optimizing a network may include configuring a remote antenna unit with a first transceiver for uplinking and downlinking a signal of a cellular service and with a second transceiver for uplinking and downlinking of the signal of at least one of a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi or Zigbee service. Performance data is collected from at least one user equipment configured for connecting to the remote antenna unit. The collected performance data is routed to a performance data collector configured to aggregate the performance data. The aggregated performance data is correlated. The network is optimized based on the correlated performance data.

Abstract: Remote units are mounted in a support structure so that cooling air flow is not impeded by the support structure. The remote units may have RF communications circuitry and other components that generate heat in the provision of wireless services.

Abstract: A method and related apparatuses for disconnecting components of a hardware assembly. The components each include two connectors configured to disengage in a staged manner so that one set of connectors disconnects before the other set. If power connectivity is provided across one set of connectors, that connection can be configured to end before the connectivity between the other connectors.

Abstract: Connectivity between components in a system is monitored by applying a low voltage at one end of an RF cable, interpreted as a “0” logical state, and determining whether a similar voltage appears at the other end of the cable. If the cable is connected properly, the DC voltage applied at one end will appear at the other end and a proper indication is generated. If the expected voltage level does not appear at the other side, it means that RF connection was not correctly established and an alert is generated. Test systems for testing connectivity may include a first component comprising at least one port, at least one capacitor, and at least one resistor for providing high impedance. A controller provides a first logic state to the at least one port, scans multiple input ports of the system, and records a link corresponding to the applied first logic state.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to activating an interference signal rejection filter path based on detection of an interference signal in a wireless distribution system (WDS). In this regard, in one aspect, a filter path selection circuit is configured to activate an interference rejection filter path configured to suppress a predefined interference signal when the predefined interference signal is detected in a received radio frequency (RF) signal. In another aspect, the filter path selection circuit is configured to detect the predefined interference signal by comparing a measured power level of the predefined interference signal against a predefined power threshold. By activating the interference rejection filter path to suppress the predefined interference signal based on detection of the predefined interference signal, it is possible to dynamically respond to the predefined interference signal that may randomly appear in the WDS, thus providing an enhanced overall RF performance in the WDS.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to identifying remote units in a wireless distribution system (WDS) based on assigned unique temporal delay patterns. The WDS includes a plurality of remote units configured to communicate communications signals in signal paths. Each of the signal paths is assigned a unique temporal delay pattern. The communications signals are digitally delayed by respective delay elements based on the plurality of unique temporal delay patterns to provide delayed communications signals. A remote unit identification system analyzes a delayed communications signal to determine a respective temporal delay pattern associated within the delayed communication signal. By uniquely identifying a remote unit from which a delayed communication signal is communicated, it is possible to determine the locations client devices in the WDS, thus enabling a variety of location-based services and optimizations in the WDS.

Abstract: Power management in a distributed communications system, such as a distributed antenna system (DAS), that includes determining user activity at remote units of the DAS. When user activity in one or more remote units falls below or above a specified threshold, power usage by the one or more remote units is reduced or increased accordingly. The power usage may reduced and/or increased by turning select remote units on or off, by increasing or reducing an operating voltage of one or more power amplifiers, and/or by turning select multiple-in, multiple-out (MIMO) front ends on or off. Power may be reduced such that wireless coverage within a specified area is maintained.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to optimizing radio frequency (RF) coverage in remote unit coverage areas in a wireless distribution system (WDS). A control circuit is configured to selectively determine at least one selected remote unit group comprising two or more remote units selected from a plurality of remote units in the WDS. A first remote unit in the selected remote unit group is configured to transmit an RF signal. The control circuit is configured to determine a first prediction deviation and a second prediction deviation, respectively. The control circuit determines correction factor(s) for selected correction point(s) based on the first prediction deviation and the second prediction deviation. The control circuit optimizes RF coverage in coverage area(s) based on the determined correction factor(s), thus improving RF performance and capacity of the WDS.

Abstract: Distribution of management services in distributed antenna systems having a central unit and remote units configured to time-division multiplex (TDM) downlink and/or uplink management signals into time slots to form a TDM management frame signal. In this manner, collision will not occur between multiple management signals communicated over a common communications medium at the same time in the distributed antenna system. Collision detection and management mechanism can add design complexity, cost by requiring additional components, and require additional area on electronic boards. The TDM management frame signal may also be modulated at a carrier frequency before being combined with RF communications signals so that the combined signals are within a linear range of shared certain communications components to reduce cost and area.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosure relates to supporting distinct single-input single-output (SISO) services in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) baseband circuit, particularly suited for a distributed antenna system (DAS). In this regard, in one aspect, two communication paths in the MIMO baseband circuit are reconfigured to distribute two distinct SISO signals. A quadrature modulator modulates the two distinct SISO signals to two different radio frequency (RF) bands, respectively, based on a modulation frequency. In another aspect, the two or more distinct SISO signals are provided to the quadrature modulator using two intermediate frequencies (IFs) that are determined based on the center frequencies and bandwidths of the two different RF bands. By reconfiguring the MIMO baseband circuit to distribute the two distinct SISO signals, it is possible to retro-support new wireless communication services and/or new RF bands in existing DAS installations without replacing the MIMO baseband circuit.