Abstract: A network interface for use within a distributed antenna system, the network interface including circuitry configured to: receive a downlink digital communication signal from an external device external to the distributed antenna system, wherein a reference clock is embedded in the downlink digital communication signal; generate a master reference clock for the distributed antenna system using the reference clock embedded in the downlink digital communication signal; convert the downlink digital communication signal into a downlink signal; communicate the downlink signal toward a remote antenna unit within the distributed antenna system; and wherein the distributed antenna system is configured to distribute the master reference clock to various components of the distributed antenna system to keep the various components of the distributed antenna system locked to a single clock, wherein the various components of the distributed antenna system include the remote antenna unit.

Abstract: A network interface for use within a distributed antenna system, the network interface including circuitry configured to: receive a downlink digital communication signal from an external device external to the distributed antenna system, wherein a reference clock is embedded in the downlink digital communication signal; generate a master reference clock for the distributed antenna system using the reference clock embedded in the downlink digital communication signal; convert the downlink digital communication signal into a downlink signal; communicate the downlink signal toward a remote antenna unit within the distributed antenna system; and wherein the distributed antenna system is configured to distribute the master reference clock to various components of the distributed antenna system to keep the various components of the distributed antenna system locked to a single clock, wherein the various components of the distributed antenna system include the remote antenna unit.

Abstract: A distributed antenna system (DAS) includes: a base station network interface; and a remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first base station interface, the remote antenna unit including an antenna. The remote antenna unit configured to: receive a radio frequency band signal from a subscriber unit; convert the radio frequency band signal into a data stream; and communicate the data stream with the first base station network interface. The first base station network interface is configured to: convert the data stream or a signal derived from the data stream into a communication signal, wherein a mater reference clock is distributed between various components of the DAS to keep the various components of the DAS locked to a single clock; and communicate the communication signal and the master reference clock to an external device, the external device configured to lock its clock to the master reference clock.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method (and system and apparatus) for determining timing for a time division duplex (TDD) signal in a distributed antenna system (DAS). The method comprises (and the system and apparatus are configured for) grouping power samples of a downlink portion of the TDD signal into blocks corresponding to a respective time period, comparing power samples of the blocks to a power threshold, assigning the blocks as ON or OFF based on a number of power samples in a respective block that are above the power threshold, identifying a start of a downlink burst in the TDD signal as an ON block preceded by at least a minimum number of consecutive OFF blocks, and controlling at least one component in the DAS based on the start of the downlink burst.

Abstract: A distributed antenna system (DAS) includes: a base station network interface; and a remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first base station interface, the remote antenna unit including an antenna. The remote antenna unit configured to: receive a radio frequency band signal from a subscriber unit; convert the radio frequency band signal into a data stream; and communicate the data stream with the first base station network interface. The first base station network interface is configured to: convert the data stream or a signal derived from the data stream into a communication signal, wherein a mater reference clock is distributed between various components of the DAS to keep the various components of the DAS locked to a single clock; and communicate the communication signal and the master reference clock to an external device, the external device configured to lock its clock to the master reference clock.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method (and system and apparatus) for determining timing for a time division duplex (TDD) signal in a distributed antenna system (DAS). The method comprises (and the system and apparatus are configured for) grouping power samples of a downlink portion of the TDD signal into blocks corresponding to a respective time period, comparing power samples of the blocks to a power threshold, assigning the blocks as ON or OFF based on a number of power samples in a respective block that are above the power threshold, identifying a start of a downlink burst in the TDD signal as an ON block preceded by at least a minimum number of consecutive OFF blocks, and controlling at least one component in the DAS based on the start of the downlink burst.

Abstract: A distributed antenna system (DAS) includes: first base station network interface unit that receives first downlink signals from first external device and converts them into first downlink data stream; second base station network interface unit that receives second downlink signals from second external device and them into second downlink data stream; first remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to first base station network interface unit that receives at least one of first downlink data stream and first downlink signal derived from first downlink data stream. First remote antenna unit has first radio frequency converter configured to convert at least one of first downlink data stream and first downlink signal derived from first downlink data stream into first radio frequency band signal and first radio frequency antenna that transmits first radio frequency band signal to first subscriber unit. DAS is configured to transmit a master reference clock to the first external device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for IP communication over a distributed antenna system transport are provided. In one embodiment, a method for providing Ethernet connectivity over a distributed antenna system comprises receiving internet protocol (IP) formatted data from an internet protocol device coupled to a remote unit of a distributed antenna system; sampling wireless radio frequency (RF) signals received at the remote unit to produce digitized RF samples; generating a serial data stream for output to a host unit of the distributed antenna system, the serial data stream further comprising a multiple-timeslot communication frame providing a first partition of bandwidth for transporting the digitized RF samples and a second partition of bandwidth for implementing an Ethernet pipe for transporting the IP formatted data.

Abstract: A distributed antenna system (DAS) includes: first base station network interface unit that receives first downlink signals from first external device and converts them into first downlink data stream; second base station network interface unit that receives second downlink signals from second external device and them into second downlink data stream; first remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to first base station network interface unit that receives at least one of first downlink data stream and first downlink signal derived from first downlink data stream. First remote antenna unit has first radio frequency converter configured to convert at least one of first downlink data stream and first downlink signal derived from first downlink data stream into first radio frequency band signal and first radio frequency antenna that transmits first radio frequency band signal to first subscriber unit. DAS is configured to transmit a master reference clock to the first external device.

Abstract: A method for calculating delay in a distributed antenna system includes sending a ping initiation message from a remote node to a host node in a distributed antenna system. The ping initiation message uniquely identifies a first communication port of the remote node to the host node with a unique identification. The method also includes receiving a ping reply message at the remote node. The ping reply message corresponds to the ping initiation message and also uniquely identifies the first communication port of the remote node with the unique identification. The method also includes determining, at the remote node, whether the ping reply message corresponds to the first communication port of the remote node based on the unique identification. The method also includes, when the ping reply message corresponds to the first communication port of the remote node, calculating the round-trip time delay between sending the ping initiation message and receiving the ping reply message at the remote node.

Abstract: A method for calculating delay in a distributed antenna system includes sending a ping initiation message from a remote node to a host node in a distributed antenna system. The ping initiation message uniquely identifies a first communication port of the remote node to the host node with a unique identification. The method also includes receiving a ping reply message at the remote node. The ping reply message corresponds to the ping initiation message and also uniquely identifies the first communication port of the remote node with the unique identification. The method also includes determining, at the remote node, whether the ping reply message corresponds to the first communication port of the remote node based on the unique identification. The method also includes, when the ping reply message corresponds to the first communication port of the remote node, calculating the round-trip time delay between sending the ping initiation message and receiving the ping reply message at the remote node.

Abstract: System and methods for muting a digital link in a distributed antenna system are provided. In one embodiment, a device for processing signals a distributed antenna system (DAS) is provided. The device comprises: a first signal path for transporting digital data signals; a controller for monitoring events affecting the first signal path; and a muting module coupled to the controller, wherein the muting module controls muting of a signal power of the first signal path as directed by the controller. The muting module applies a hard clamping to mute the signal power of the first signal path when the controller identifies an unplanned event. The muting module applies a ramp to mute the signal power of the first signal path when the controller identified a planned event.

Abstract: Systems and methods for IP communication over a distributed antenna system transport are provided. In one embodiment, a method for providing Ethernet connectivity over a distributed antenna system comprises receiving internet protocol (IP) formatted data from an internet protocol device coupled to a remote unit of a distributed antenna system; sampling wireless radio frequency (RF) signals received at the remote unit to produce digitized RF samples; generating a serial data stream for output to a host unit of the distributed antenna system, the serial data stream further comprising a multiple-timeslot communication frame providing a first partition of bandwidth for transporting the digitized RF samples and a second partition of bandwidth for implementing an Ethernet pipe for transporting the IP formatted data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for IP communication over a distributed antenna system transport are provided. In one embodiment, a method for providing Ethernet connectivity over a distributed antenna system comprises receiving internet protocol (IP) formatted data from an internet protocol device coupled to a remote unit of a distributed antenna system; sampling wireless radio frequency (RF) signals received at the remote unit to produce digitized RF samples; generating a serial data stream for output to a host unit of the distributed antenna system, the serial data stream further comprising a multiple-timeslot communication frame providing a first partition of bandwidth for transporting the digitized RF samples and a second partition of bandwidth for implementing an Ethernet pipe for transporting the IP formatted data.

Abstract: Clock Priority Chain Level Systems and Methods are provided. In one embodiment, a method for determining clock priority for a multihost unit distributed antenna system is provided. The method comprises identifying which port of a plurality of ports is receiving a reference clock signal having a highest priority Network Chain Level (NCL) value, wherein the highest priority NCL value indicates a master clock priority level (MCPL) of a host unit providing a Master Clock and a chain level value indicating a chain depth; selecting a system clock reference port from the plurality of ports based on the highest priority NCL value; locking a local clock to a reference clock signal received on the selected system clock reference port; calculating an incremented NCL value based on the highest priority NCL value; and transmitting the incremented NCL value over the plurality of ports.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reconfiguring communications systems are provided. In one embodiment, a radio head interface for a communications system comprises: a first interface for communicating with a signal processing module digitally performing waveform processing to modulate and demodulate radio signals; a second interface for communicating with a radio head for transmitting and receiving wireless radio signals; a first buffer coupled to the first interface for receiving a page of data from the signal processing module, the page of data comprising a page header for communicating reconfiguration parameters and a plurality of digital radio frequency samples representing a modulated radio signal; at least one digital frequency converter coupled to the second interface; and a configuration management unit, the configuration management unit adapted to receive the reconfiguration parameters from the page header and reconfigure the at least one digital frequency converter based on the reconfiguration parameters.

Abstract: A method for programming the delay for a node in a communication system is disclosed. The node receives a selected delay value and a signal path delay value indicating a delay for signals communicated to the node. The signal path delay comprises an aggregation of transport delays calculated by each node for segments of the communication system between the node and a host node. The method further calculates an additional delay necessary to meet the selected delay value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for IP communication over a distributed antenna system transport are provided. In one embodiment, a method for providing Ethernet connectivity over a distributed antenna system comprises receiving internet protocol (IP) formatted data from an internet protocol device coupled to a remote unit of a distributed antenna system; sampling wireless radio frequency (RF) signals received at the remote unit to produce digitized RF samples; generating a serial data stream for output to a host unit of the distributed antenna system, the serial data stream further comprising a multiple-timeslot communication frame providing a first partition of bandwidth for transporting the digitized RF samples and a second partition of bandwidth for implementing an Ethernet pipe for transporting the IP formatted data.

Abstract: A method for calculating delay in a distributed antenna system includes sending a ping initiation message from a remote node to a host node in a distributed antenna system. The ping initiation message uniquely identifies a first communication port of the remote node to the host node with a unique identification. The method also includes receiving a ping reply message at the remote node. The ping reply message corresponds to the ping initiation message and also uniquely identifies the first communication port of the remote node with the unique identification. The method also includes determining, at the remote node, whether the ping reply message corresponds to the first communication port of the remote node based on the unique identification. The method also includes, when the ping reply message corresponds to the first communication port of the remote node, calculating the round-trip time delay between sending the ping initiation message and receiving the ping reply message at the remote node.

Abstract: A method for calculating delay in a distributed antenna system includes sending a ping initiation message from a remote node to a host node in a distributed antenna system. The ping initiation message uniquely identifies a first communication port of the remote node to the host node with a unique identification. The method also includes receiving a ping reply message at the remote node. The ping reply message corresponds to the ping initiation message and also uniquely identifies the first communication port of the remote node with the unique identification. The method also includes determining, at the remote node, whether the ping reply message corresponds to the first communication port of the remote node based on the unique identification. The method also includes, when the ping reply message corresponds to the first communication port of the remote node, calculating the round-trip time delay between sending the ping initiation message and receiving the ping reply message at the remote node.