Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to digital interface modules (DIMs) for flexibly distributing digital and/or analog communications signals in wide-area analog distributed antenna systems (DASs). In this regard, in one aspect, a DIM is a multi-functional device capable of distributing the digital and/or analog communications signals to a local-area DASs in the wide-area DAS. The DIM comprises a digital communications interface for coupling with a digital signal source, an analog local distribution interface for coupling with an analog signal source, and at least one digital remote distribution interface for coupling with a head-end unit (HEU) of the local-area DAS. By employing the DIM in the wide-area DAS, it is possible to flexibly reconfigure the wide-area DAS for distributing digital and/or analog communications signals over the digital communications mediums.

Abstract: Direct communicative coupling of a base station(s) to a remote unit for exchanging communications services with a distributed communications system (DCS) is disclosed. For example, the remote unit may include a remote antenna unit that is provided in a distributed antenna system (DAS) as one type of DCS. In this manner, the remote unit can facilitate distribution of communications services from a base station into the DCS at locations other than at a centralized location in the DCS, such as at a central unit or head-end equipment. Various DCS configurations are possible that include a remote unit supporting the direct communicatively coupling to a base station(s) for distributing communications services in a DCS.

Abstract: Direct communicative coupling of a base station(s) to a remote unit for exchanging communications services with a distributed communications system (DCS) is disclosed. For example, the remote unit may include a remote antenna unit that is provided in a distributed antenna system (DAS) as one type of DCS. In this manner, the remote unit can facilitate distribution of communications services from a base station into the DCS at locations other than at a centralized location in the DCS, such as at a central unit or head-end equipment. Various DCS configurations are possible that include a remote unit supporting the direct communicatively coupling to a base station(s) for distributing communications services in a DCS.

Abstract: Flexible head-end chassis supporting automatic identification and interconnection of radio interface modules (RIMs) and optical interface modules (OIMs) in an optical fiber-based distributed antenna system (DAS) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the flexible head-end chassis includes a plurality of module slots each configured to receive either a RIM or an OIM. A chassis control system identifies an inserted RIM or OIM to determine the type of module inserted. Based on the identification of the inserted RIM or OIM, the chassis control system interconnects the inserted RIM or OIM to related combiners and splitters in head-end equipment for the RIM or OIM to receive downlink communication signals and uplink communications signals for processing and distribution in the optical fiber-based DAS. In this manner, the optical fiber-based DAS can easily be configured or reconfigured with different combinations of RIMs and OIMs to support the desired communications services and/or number of remote units.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to partitioning a time-division-based communications link for communicating multiple types of communications signals in a wireless distribution system (WDS). A WDS is configured to communicate multiple types of communications signals over a time-division-based communications link. For example, the WDS may be configured to communicate a digital baseband signal as a first type of communications signal and an Ethernet signal as a second type of communications signal. In this regard, a protocols division routing circuit(s) is provided in the WDS and configured to partition the time-division-based communications link between multiple types of communications signals based on a link configuration ratio.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to allocating digital channels into spectrum chunks in a wireless distribution system (WDS). In a WDS, a central unit is configured to communicate downlink and uplink communications signals with a plurality of remote units over a plurality of downlink and uplink communication links. In one aspect, discrete downlink channels in the downlink communications signals are grouped into downlink spectrum chunks at the central unit when the processing circuitry at the central unit is underutilized. In another aspect, discrete uplink channels in the uplink communications signals are grouped into uplink spectrum chunks at the remote units when the processing circuitries at the remote units are underutilized. By grouping discrete downlink channels into downlink spectrum chunks and/or grouping uplink discrete channels into uplink spectrum chunks, it is possible to optimize system resource utilization in the WDS, thus providing enhanced overall performance in the WDS.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to digital interface modules (DIMs) for flexibly distributing digital and/or analog communications signals in wide-area analog distributed antenna systems (DASs). In this regard, in one aspect, a DIM is a multi-functional device capable of distributing the digital and/or analog communications signals to a local-area DASs in the wide-area DAS. The DIM comprises a digital communications interface for coupling with a digital signal source, an analog local distribution interface for coupling with an analog signal source, and at least one digital remote distribution interface for coupling with a head-end unit (HEU) of the local-area DAS. By employing the DIM in the wide-area DAS, it is possible to flexibly reconfigure the wide-area DAS for distributing digital and/or analog communications signals over the digital communications mediums.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to distributing digital communications signals in analog distributed antenna systems (DASs) using programmable head-end units. In one aspect, a programmable head-end unit is configured to convert downlink digital communications signals to downlink analog radio frequency (RF) communications signals for distribution to remote unit groups in the analog DAS. Further, the programmable head-end unit is configured to convert uplink analog RF communications signals to uplink digital communications signals to be distributed to the digital signal sources. The programmable head-end unit is also configured to route the digital communications signals between the digital signal sources and the remote unit groups based on programmably defined routing criteria, thus allowing the programmable head-end unit to be software-defined.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to digital-analog interface modules (DAIMs) for flexibly distributing digital and/or analog communications signals in wide-area analog distributed antenna systems (DASs). In this regard, in one aspect, a DAIM is a multi-functional device capable of distributing the digital and/or analog communications signals to a local-area DASs in a wide-area DAS. The DAIM comprises an analog radio frequency (RF) communications signal interface for coupling with an analog signal source, a digital communications interface for coupling with a digital signal source, an analog local distribution interface for coupling with a remote antenna unit (RAU), and at least one digital remote distribution interface for coupling with a head-end unit (HEU) of the local-area DAS. By employing the DAIM in the wide-area DAS, it is possible to flexibly reconfigure the wide-area DAS for distributing digital and/or analog communications signals over the digital communications mediums.

Abstract: Flexible head-end chassis supporting automatic identification and interconnection of radio interface modules (RIMs) and optical interface modules (OIMs) in an optical fiber-based distributed antenna system (DAS) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the flexible head-end chassis includes a plurality of module slots each configured to receive either a RIM or an OIM. A chassis control system identifies an inserted RIM or OIM to determine the type of module inserted. Based on the identification of the inserted RIM or OIM, the chassis control system interconnects the inserted RIM or OIM to related combiners and splitters in head-end equipment for the RIM or OIM to receive downlink communication signals and uplink communications signals for processing and distribution in the optical fiber-based DAS. In this manner, the optical fiber-based DAS can easily be configured or reconfigured with different combinations of RIMs and OIMs to support the desired communications services and/or number of remote units.

Abstract: Direct communicative coupling of a base station(s) to a remote unit for exchanging communications services with a distributed communications system (DCS) is disclosed. For example, the remote unit may include a remote antenna unit that is provided in a distributed antenna system (DAS) as one type of DCS. In this manner, the remote unit can facilitate distribution of communications services from a base station into the DCS at locations other than at a centralized location in the DCS, such as at a central unit or head-end equipment. Various DCS configurations are possible that include a remote unit supporting the direct communicatively coupling to a base station(s) for distributing communications services in a DCS.

Abstract: Flexible head-end chassis supporting automatic identification and interconnection of radio interface modules (RIMs) and optical interface modules (OIMs) in an optical fiber-based distributed antenna system (DAS) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the flexible head-end chassis includes a plurality of module slots each configured to receive either a RIM or an OIM. A chassis control system identifies an inserted RIM or OIM to determine the type of module inserted. Based on the identification of the inserted RIM or OIM, the chassis control system interconnects the inserted RIM or OIM to related combiners and splitters in head-end equipment for the RIM or OIM to receive downlink communication signals and uplink communications signals for processing and distribution in the optical fiber-based DAS. In this manner, the optical fiber-based DAS can easily be configured or reconfigured with different combinations of RIMs and OIMs to support the desired communications services and/or number of remote units.