Abstract: A communications system and method are provided for reducing noise in a distributed antenna network. The system includes a plurality of remote antenna units with each remote antenna unit including a receiver for receiving input signals, a signal strength processor for determining whether a valid signal is present at its respective remote antenna unit and an output controller for switching off the network connection when no valid signal is present. As a result, the cumulative noise generated by uplink stages connected to the remote antenna units is reduced by switching off the network connection of remote antennas that are do not have to be connected. The communications system and method may further include an output controller for controlling the output for its respective remote antenna unit based on the comparison by the signal strength processor.

Abstract: A communication system and method are provided for equalizing delay of transmission paths in a distributed antenna network. The distributed antenna network includes a plurality of remote antenna units, a central unit or a base station connected to the remote antenna units by transmission media, where each connection between the base station and one of the remote antenna units forms a separate transmission path having an associated delay time, a delay detector for determining the associated delay time of the separate transmission paths for each of the remote antenna units, and a delay compensator for adjusting the associated delay times in response to the delay detectors so that all of the associated delay times are substantially equalized. The system and method allow the delay parameters for the entire network to be set upon installation and then to be periodically updated without physical intervention by an operator.