Abstract: In a wireless communication network, a method for transporting signals between a base station hotel and a remote cell site allows multiple uplink and downlink signals to be communicated using a single optical fiber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an RF transport technique uses frequency translation to shift the common carrier frequencies of diversity and sector signals to distinct intermediate frequencies that are then combined, converted to an optical signal and transmitted over a single fiber. The RF transport technique also uses wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) to communicate both uplink and downlink signals over the same fiber. Reference clock signals are distributed to ensure accurate frequency translation at both ends of the link. Reference power signals are also transmitted in both uplink and downlink to help perform signal power equalization.

Abstract: Individual channels are centrally and tunably selected for emission in a distributed wireless communications system. A high-frequency signal received at a central antenna is down-converted such that a selected channel corresponds to a predetermined frequency range. Non-selected channels are filtered out. The selected channel is transmitted to remote locations over commonly available transmission lines, up-converted, and re-emitted. The transmitted channel is chosen by tuning the frequency of the local oscillator used for down-conversion. A high-stability global tuning signal is used to tune and stabilize the local oscillators used for up-conversion. The global tuning signal is generated by frequency-dividing the down-conversion local oscillator signal by a fixed number, while the up-conversion local oscillator signals are generated by frequency-multiplying the global tuning signal by the same fixed number. Phase-locked loops are used for frequency multiplication and stabilization.