DAS INTEGRATED DIGITAL OFF-AIR REPEATER
Embodiments may allow remote base transceiver stations (BTSs) physically located away from a local source of users to be able to provide local service as if the remote BTSs were at or near the local source of users. Some embodiments may include a plurality of BTSs, each having one or more sectors, and one or more digital access units (DAUs). Embodiments may also include a plurality of repeater digital units (RDUs), where each RDU may be configured to communicate to at least one of the plurality of BTSs and may be operable to route signals optically to the one or more DAUs. Embodiments may also include a plurality of digital remote units (DRUs) located at a location remote to the one or more DAUs, wherein the plurality of remote DRUs may be operable to transport signals to the one or more DAUs.
1 . (canceled)
2 . A digital unit in a distributed antenna system (DAS), the digital unit comprising:
a radio frequency (RF) port operable to communicate with a base tranceiver station (BTS);
a converter operable to convert communications to and from the BTS between analog signals and digital signals; and
an optical port operable to route the digital signals to one or more remote units.
3 . The digital unit of claim 1 , wherein the RF port is operable to communicate with the base transceiver station via an antenna.
4 . The digital unit of claim 1 , wherein the RF port is operable to communicate with the BTS via a cable.
5 . The digital unit of claim 1 , wherein the BTS is located remotely from the digital unit.
6 . The digital unit of claim 1 , wherein the RF port is operable to communicate with a sector of the BTS.
7 . The digital unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
an access unit; and
a repeater.
8 . The digital unit of claim 7 , wherein the access unit is coupled to the repeater unit via an optical fiber.
9 . The digital unit of claim 7 , wherein the access unit is operable to exchange digital signals with the repeater.
10 . The digital unit of claim 7 , wherein the access unit is operable to route communications between the repeater and at least one of the one or more remote units.
11 . The digital unit of claim 1 , wherein the one or more remote units are located at different locations than the digital unit.
12 . The digital unit of claim 1 , wherein the digital unit is operable to route the digital signals to another digital unit.
13 . The digital unit of claim 1 , wherein the digital unit is operable to route the digital signals to another BTS.
14 . A system comprising:
a digital unit, the digital unit configured to:
communicate with at least one base transceiver station (BTS);
convert communications to and from the at least one BTS between analog and digital;
route digital signals from the digital unit to another digital unit; and
route digital signals between the at least one BTS and at least one remote unit.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the digital unit is operable to communicate with the at least one BTS via at least one of an antenna or a cable.
16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one BTS is located remotely from the digital unit.
17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the digital unit is operable to communicate with a sector of the BTS.
18 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the digital unit includes:
an access unit; and
a repeater.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the access unit is coupled to the repeater unit via an optical fiber.
20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the access unit is operable to exchange digital signals with the repeater.
21 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the digital unit is operable to route the digital signals to another digital unit.