Abstract: An electronically tunable equalizer is provided to a downlink (DL) and/or uplink (UL) signal processing path of a wireless communication unit incorporating a RF filter. The electronically tunable equalizer is pre-configured with a plurality of capacitance states, each representing a specific capacitance. The equalizer produces a different equalizer response for each of the plurality of capacitance states based on a received pass-band frequency signal. The plurality of equalizer responses is provided to the RF filter on a signaling processing path, thus affecting the RF filter's pass-band ripple. The RF filter's pass-band ripple is measured for each of the plurality of equalizer responses to determine a desired pass-band ripple. By configuring the electronically tunable equalizer to the capacitance state that produced the desired pass-band ripple, a ceramic RF filter may be used in the wireless communication unit for the benefit of lower cost and size, with reduced pass-band ripple.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements for distributed antenna systems and more particularly to methods and systems for improving uplink communications. In one embodiment, Aggregation Point Noise Blocking provides for blocking or filtering the noise contributed by one or more of the branches coupled to an aggregation point that are not carrying the signal from a particular terminal. Signal activity from a given terminal on a particular branch can be identified and that information can be used to selectively block or filter the signal noise contributed by the other branches to an aggregation point. The selective blocking or filtering can also include an attenuation function to attenuate the signal and provide dynamic range smoothing. In another embodiment the signal can be regenerated to produce a signal that has a restored or very high SNR.

Abstract: Frequency synchronizing a local oscillator in a remote unit in a distributed antenna system (DAS) used for frequency shifting communications signals based on a received digital pulse signal from a central unit. A remote unit receives a frequency shifted downlink communications signal and a reference pulse signal indicative of a frequency of a reference oscillator from a central unit. To recover the original signal, a mixing frequency signal generated by a local oscillator is used. To recover a signal having the same frequency as the original signal, the local oscillator should be the same or substantially the same frequency as the frequency used to create the frequency shifted version. A time difference signal indicating the frequency difference between the oscillators is calculated. A frequency adjustment signal is provided to the local oscillator based on the time difference signal to decrease the frequency difference between the oscillators.

Abstract: A terminal block allows wires to be connected to the block by insertion at a front portion of the block and along a direction parallel to the length of the block. The block includes a securing feature to retain the electrical conductor securely in the block while also allowing simplified connection and disconnection of the wire.

Abstract: Frequency shifting a communications signal(s) in a multiple frequency (multi-frequency) distributed antenna system (DAS) to avoid or reduce frequency interference is disclosed. Related devices, methods, and DASs are disclosed. Non-limiting examples of frequency interference include frequency band interference and frequency channel interference. As a non-limiting example, frequency interference in a multi-frequency DAS may result from non-linearity of a signal processing component generating an out-of-band harmonic of a first, in-use communications signal in a first frequency band, within different frequency band(s) of other in-use communications signal(s). To avoid or reduce such interference, embodiments disclosed herein involve predicting frequency interference that may result from processing received, in-use communications signals in multiple frequency bands to be distributed in a multi-frequency DAS.

Abstract: A system for supporting multiple time division duplexed (TDD) based wireless services or frequency division duplexed (FDD) wireless services on a Distributed Antenna System (DAS). TDD based services use a common clock signal to synchronize the components of the DAS for transmission and reception of TDD signals. The DAS includes a GPS receiver which extracts a timing signal from a GPS signal and distribute the timing signal to components of the DAS to enable synchronization of the components for transmitting and receiving TDD signals. The GPS receiver can be part of the interface that connects a TDD based service to the DAS. The DAS distributes a reference clock signal to the DAS components to maintain zero frequency shift while manipulating with the carrier frequencies of the various wireless services carried by the DAS.

Abstract: Monitoring non-supported wireless spectrum within a coverage area of a distributed antenna system (DAS) in which a listening module connected to a remote unit of the DAS monitors non-supported wireless frequencies (i.e., frequencies that are outside the frequency ranges supported by the downlink and uplink signals of the DAS), via one or more antennas. The listening module also transmits the wireless frequencies to a monitoring module connected to head end equipment (HEE) of the DAS. In that manner, a monitoring module can use an existing DAS infrastructure to monitor non-supported portions of the wireless spectrum at remote locations. In addition to avoiding the need to run a parallel DAS infrastructure, the disclosed arrangements are also useful in shared spectrum environments and other environments where efficient spectrum utilization is desired.

Abstract: Attenuation systems have cooling components that produce power in response to heat generated by the attenuator. The cooling components can be used to power cooling fans if a primary power source of the fans fails.

Abstract: Systems and methods for simultaneous sampling of serial digital data streams from multiple analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), including in distributed antenna systems, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a controller unit samples a plurality of serial digital data streams simultaneously. To allow the controller unit to sample the multiple serial digital data streams simultaneously from a plurality of ADCs, the controller unit is configured to provide a plurality of data input ports. Each of the ADCs is coupled to a common chip select port and clock signal port on the controller unit. The controller unit communicates a chip select signal on the chip select port to activate all of the ADCs simultaneously to cause each of the ADCs to provide its respective digital data stream to the respective data input port of the controller unit simultaneously for sampling. As a result, fewer or lower-cost components may be used to sample multiple ADCs.

Abstract: Frequency shifting a communications signal(s) in a multiple frequency (multi-frequency) distributed antenna system (DAS) to avoid or reduce frequency interference is disclosed. Related devices, methods, and DASs are disclosed. Non-limiting examples of frequency interference include frequency band interference and frequency channel interference. As a non-limiting example, frequency interference in a multi-frequency DAS may result from non-linearity of a signal processing component generating an out-of-band harmonic of a first, in-use communications signal in a first frequency band, within different frequency band(s) of other in-use communications signal(s). To avoid or reduce such interference, embodiments disclosed herein involve predicting frequency interference that may result from processing received, in-use communications signals in multiple frequency bands to be distributed in a multi-frequency DAS.

Abstract: Separation of sub-bands of communications signals to reduce interference in distributed antenna systems (DASs) is disclosed. A sub-band separation circuit coupled to a plurality of antennas is configured to distribute and receive and transmit a pair of downlink and uplink sub-band signals. The sub-band separation circuit is coupled to a duplexed port of a remote unit that distributes uplink communications signals to the DAS and receives downlink communications signals from the DAS. In order to isolate the downlink communications signals from the uplink communications path in the remote unit, the isolation circuit includes a plurality of sub-band isolation circuits. Each sub-band isolation circuit is configured to isolate at least one sub-band of the downlink communications signal to generate a downlink sub-band signal that has a desired frequency separation or gap with uplink communication signals received at the duplexed port.

Abstract: A system, and related methods and devices, is disclosed for documenting a location of installed equipment. The system includes a mobile reader and a memory. The mobile reader is configured to read a unique identification of an equipment unit and to determine a location of the equipment unit while proximate the equipment unit. The location and the unique identification of the equipment unit is associated and stored in the memory. The memory may be located in the mobile reader or in a remotely located database. The mobile reader may be an optical reader configured to read the unique identification from an optical barcode associated with the equipment unit, or the mobile reader may be an RFID reader configured to read the unique identification from an RFID tag associated with the equipment unit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system for supporting MIMO technologies which can require the transport of multiple spatial streams on a traditional Distributed Antenna System (DAS). According to the invention, at one end of the DAS, each spatial stream is shifted in frequency to a pre-assigned band (such as a band at a frequency lower than the native frequency) that does not overlap the band assigned to other spatial streams (or the band of any other services being carried by the DAS). Each of the spatial streams can be combined and transmitted as a combined signal over a common coaxial cable. At the other “end” of the DAS, the different streams are shifted back to their original (overlapping) frequencies but retain their individual “identities” by being radiated through physically separate antenna elements.

Abstract: Gain measurement of distributed antenna system (DAS) segments during active communications employing autocorrelation on a combined test signal and communications signal is disclosed. In one embodiment, a test signal is injected into one or more DAS segments in a DAS. The test signal power is measured at the input and output of the DAS segment(s) for which gain measurement is desired. The difference in power of the test signal between the input and the output of the DAS segment is the gain of the DAS segment. The frequency of the test signal is provided to be within the frequency band of the communications service signals supported by the DAS segment. To allow for gain measurement of a DAS segment during active communication periods when the DAS segment is actively transmitting communications service signals, autocorrelation is employed to separate the test signal from combined test signal and communications service signals.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed include variable amplitude signal generators for generating a sinusoidal signal having limited direct current (DC) offset variation and related devices and methods. Instead of employing a single pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to generate a sinusoidal signal, in one embodiment, a circuit is provided that generates two PWM signals. The first PWM signal is a high-to-low PWM signal, where the active state is a lower signal level. The second PWM signal is a low-to-high PWM signal where active state is a higher signal level. The first and second PWM signals are combined to provide a summed signal, which is filtered to generate a sinusoidal signal. The DC offset of the first PWM signal varies inversely to the DC offset of the second PWM signal. In this manner, distortions caused by variations in the DC offset present in the generated sinusoidal signal are limited (i.e., reduced or eliminated).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system for supporting wireless RF services over a wired digital data network infrastructure, such as an Ethernet network. The system includes a control unit that can be connected to a base station that supports one or more wireless RF services. The control unit converts the wireless RF signals to an intermediate frequency (IF) that does not interfere with the data network signals and combines the IF signals onto the cable run to a remote network device on the digital data network. The remote network device includes a multiplexer or a low pass filter and a high pass filter that separates the IF signals from the digital data signals on the downlink and combines the IF signals with digital data signals on the uplink over the cable run. The IF signals can be input to an RF module connected to the remote network device which converts the IF signals back to the original RF signals for transmission by a transceiver to wireless devices.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system for supporting MIMO technologies which can require the transport of multiple spatial streams on a traditional Distributed Antenna System (DAS). According to the invention, at one end of the DAS, each spatial stream is shifted in frequency to a pre-assigned band (such as a band at a frequency lower than the native frequency) that does not overlap the band assigned to other spatial streams (or the band of any other services being carried by the DAS). Each of the spatial streams can be combined and transmitted as a combined signal over a common coaxial cable. At the other “end” of the DAS, the different streams are shifted back to their original (overlapping) frequencies but retain their individual “identities” by being radiated through physically separate antenna elements.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system for supporting MIMO technologies which can require the transport of multiple spatial streams on a traditional Distributed Antenna System (DAS). According to the invention, at one end of the DAS, each spatial stream is shifted in frequency to a pre-assigned band (such as a band at a frequency lower than the native frequency) that does not overlap the band assigned to other spatial streams (or the band of any other services being carried by the DAS). Each of the spatial streams can be combined and transmitted as a combined signal over a common coaxial cable. At the other “end” of the DAS, the different streams are shifted back to their original (overlapping) frequencies but retain their individual “identities” by being radiated through physically separate antenna elements.

Abstract: It is provided a method for transmitting a wireless signal on Ethernet wiring The wireless signal is received in a hub unit for delivery to a remote unit In the hub unit the wireless signal is down converted to a down-converted frequency band for propagation on the Ethernet wiring A reference signal associated with a local oscillator used for the down conversion is embedded on a synchronous Ethernet stream that may include Ethernet data received at hub unit The synchronous Ethernet stream and the down converted wireless signal are submitted through the Ethernet wiring to the remote unit. The synchronous Ethernet stream may include data for management of electronic circuits installed in the remote unit, as well as a synchronization signal used thereof A converted replica of the first signal may be included in digital form in frames of the synchronous Ethernet stream.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system for supporting MIMO technologies which can require the transport of multiple spatial streams on a traditional Distributed Antenna System (DAS). According to the invention, at one end of the DAS, each spatial stream is shifted in frequency to a pre-assigned band (such as a band at a frequency lower than the native frequency) that does not overlap the band assigned to other spatial streams (or the band of any other services being carried by the DAS). Each of the spatial streams can be combined and transmitted as a combined signal over a common coaxial cable. At the other “end” of the DAS, the different streams are shifted back to their original (overlapping) frequencies but retain their individual “identities” by being radiated through physically separate antenna elements.