Method and system for soft frequency reuse in a distributed antenna system
A method for routing and switching operator RF signals includes providing one or more Digital Remote Units (DRUs) and providing at least one Digital Access Unit (DAU) configured to communicate with at least one of the one or more DRUs. A first DRU is operable to communicate using a first set of frequencies characterized by a first frequency band over a first geographic footprint and a second set of frequencies characterized by a second frequency band different from the first frequency band over a second geographic footprint including and surrounding the first geographic footprint. A second DRU is operable to communicate using the first set of frequencies over a third geographical footprint and a third set of frequencies characterized by a third frequency band different from the first frequency band and the second frequency band over a fourth geographic footprint including and surrounding the third geographic footprint.
1. A communication system comprising:
a host unit;
a first central remote unit coupled to the host unit and operable to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) communications using a first frequency band over a first geographic region corresponding to a central portion of a first cell;
one or more first outer remote units coupled to the host unit and operable to transmit and receive RF communications using a second frequency band over a second geographic region corresponding to an outer portion of the first cell, wherein the first frequency band is at least partially distinct from the second frequency band;
a second central remote unit coupled to the host unit and operable to transmit and receive RF communications using a third frequency band over a third geographic region corresponding to a second central portion of a second cell, wherein the second cell shares a border with the first cell; and
one or more second outer remote units coupled to the host unit and operable to transmit and receive RF communications using a fourth frequency band over a fourth geographic region corresponding to an outer portion of the second cell, wherein the third frequency band is at least partially distinct from the fourth frequency band.
2. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the second geographic region completely surrounds the first geographic region.
3. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the first frequency band contains at least some of the same frequencies as the second frequency band.
4. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the first frequency band contains none of the same frequencies as the second frequency band.
5. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein a first power level used to communicate in the first frequency band is lower than a second power level used to communicate in the second frequency band.
6. The communication system of claim 5 , wherein the first geographic region is increased in size and the second geographic region is decreased in size by increasing the first power level and/or decreasing the second power level.
7. The communication system of claim 5 , wherein the first geographic region is decreased in size and the second geographic region is increased in size by decreasing the first power level and/or increasing the second power level.
8. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the second frequency band is at least partially distinct from the fourth frequency band, and the first frequency band at least partially overlaps with the third frequency band.
9. The communication system of claim 8 , wherein the fourth geographic region completely surrounds the third geographic region.
10. The communication system of claim 8 , wherein:
the first frequency band contains none of the same frequencies as the second frequency band;
the third frequency band contains none of the same frequencies as the fourth frequency band; and
the second frequency band contains none of the same frequencies as the fourth frequency band.
11. A method comprising:
communicating a plurality of signals from a host unit to a first central remote unit, one or more first outer remote units, a second central remote unit, and one or more second outer remote units;
transmitting and receiving, by the first central remote unit, radio frequency (RF) communications using a first frequency band over a first geographic region corresponding to a central portion of a first cell;
transmitting and receiving, by the one or more first outer remote units, RF communications using a second frequency band over a second geographic region corresponding to an outer portion of the first cell, wherein the first frequency band is at least partially distinct from the second frequency band;
transmitting and receiving, by the second central remote unit, RF communications using a third frequency band over a third geographic region corresponding to a central portion of a second cell, wherein the second cell shares a border with the first cell; and
transmitting and receiving, by the one or more second outer remote units, RF communications using a fourth frequency band over a fourth geographic region corresponding to an outer portion of the second cell, wherein the third frequency band is at least partially distinct from the fourth frequency band.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second geographic region completely surrounds the first geographic region.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first frequency band contains at least some of the same frequencies as the second frequency band.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first frequency band contains none of the same frequencies as the second frequency band.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein a first power level used to communicate in the first frequency band is lower than a second power level used to communicate in the second frequency band.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first geographic region is increased in size and the second geographic region is decreased in size by increasing the first power level and/or decreasing the second power level.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first geographic region is decreased in size and the second geographic region is increased in size by decreasing the first power level and/or increasing the second power level.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second frequency band is at least partially distinct from the fourth frequency band, and the first frequency band at least partially overlaps with the third frequency band.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the fourth geographic region completely surrounds the third geographic region.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein:
the first frequency band contains none of the same frequencies as the second frequency band;
the third frequency band contains none of the same frequencies as the fourth frequency band; and
the second frequency band contains none of the same frequencies as the fourth frequency band.