(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0258305 A1
`Aschermann
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Nov. 16, 2006
`
`US 200602583 05A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`TRANSMISSION OF CARRIER SIGNALS
`BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND ANTENNA
`NETWORKS
`(76) Inventor: Benedikt Aschermann, Wuppertal (DE)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`E. s Drive
`MAS S.
`Plano, TX 75024 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/502,528
`
`Jan. 30, 2002
`(22) PCT Filed:
`PCT/EPO2/OO996
`(86). PCT No.:
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`H04B I/04
`H04B I/02
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................ 455/103; 455/101
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Method and system for transmission of carrier signals, each
`of which occupy a different radio-frequency band, between
`first and second antenna networks (14, 15), each comprising
`a plurality of distributed antennas (6), with the first antenna
`network (14) being coupled to a main coupling device (3)
`and to an intermediate coupling device (21), the second
`antenna network (15) being coupled to the intermediate
`coupling device (21), and with the coupling devices (3, 21)
`being coupled to one or more peripheral devices (8, 22),
`wherein the intermediate coupling device (21) is controlled
`to have a carrier signal FSR, SN of i. R antenna
`network (15) occupied by a carrier signal which is
`exchanged with a peripheral device (8) which is coupled to
`the main coupling device (3) or with a further peripheral
`device (22) which is coupled to the intermediate coupling
`device (21).
`
`6
`
`/
`
`18
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`S
`
`6
`
`4 wa?
`
`38
`
`2
`
`
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`
`NTERMEDIATE
`COUPLING
`DEVICE
`
`N
`6
`
`6
`
`6
`
`22
`
`8
`
`PERPHERAL
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`PERPHERAL
`DEVICE
`
`7
`
`3.
`
`MAN
`COUPLING
`DEVICE
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 16, 2006 Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 2006/0258305 A1
`
`8
`
`PERPHERAL
`DEVICE
`
`8
`PERPHERAL
`DEVICE
`
`6
`
`MAN
`COUPLNG
`DEVICE
`
`N
`
`FIG 1 PRIOR ART
`
`22
`
`18
`
`6
`
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`
`6
`
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`
`FURTHER
`PEREPHERAL
`DEVICE
`
`8
`PERIPHERAL
`DEVICE
`
`8
`PERPHERAL
`DEVICE
`
`38
`
`2
`
`INTERMEDIATE
`COUPLING
`DEVICE
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`6
`
`7
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`N
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`6
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`6
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`e1
`
`
`
`MAN
`COUPNG
`DEVICE
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`\
`
`FIG 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 16, 2006 Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 2006/0258305 A1
`
`
`
`FIG 4
`
`FIG 5
`
`Patent Application Publication Nov. 16,2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 2006/0258305 Al
`
`=
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`| —32
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`38
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`FIG 5
`
`Page 3
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`
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`CommScope Ex. 1044
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 16, 2006 Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 2006/0258305 A1
`
`
`
`FIG 6
`
`FIG 7
`
`FURTHER
`PERPHERAL
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`FURTHER
`PERIPHERAL
`DEVICE
`
`ONE
`DIRECTIONAL
`LNE
`
`

`

`US 2006/0258.305 A1
`
`Nov. 16, 2006
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FORTRANSMISSION OF
`CARRIER SIGNALS BETWEEN FIRST AND
`SECOND ANTENNANETWORKS
`0001. The invention relates to a method and transmission
`system according to the preambles of claim 1 and claim 4
`respectively.
`0002. A method and a system of the type mentioned
`above are known from practice.
`0003. It is observed that wide frequency bands may be
`allocated to different systems, such as GSM and UMTS. In
`each of Such systems Smaller frequency Subbands may be
`allocated to different telephone companies. Each of said
`Subbands may contain several carriers or carrier signals
`having different carrier frequencies and being allocated to
`different parts of the premises or buildings where the method
`and system are applied.
`0004 Occasionally it may occur that a carrier signal
`interferes with a carrier signal transmitted by a source or
`antenna outside the present system. Further, one may want
`to expand the antenna network while using therein carrier
`signals having radio-frequency bands which may or may not
`differ from those already used or associated with different
`peripheral devices. Until now, to achieve this the coupling of
`carrier signals to the main transmission path required the
`application of a main coupling device designed and
`equipped to handle Such expansion or the coupling device
`needed to be replaced by such more complex coupling
`device. When deploying carrier signals having radio-fre
`quency bands which are in use already, the main coupling
`device must be designed to have a plurality of ports for
`connection to a plurality of cables of separate antenna
`networks accordingly. In fact the system of the type having
`one Such port, as mentioned above, is just duplicated. A
`major drawback of modifying or replacing the coupling
`device is that at least part of the system is out of operation
`then. Another drawback is that equipment for deploying
`additional carrier signals must be installed in the proximity
`of the coupling device, which may be difficult or impossible
`to do because of limited space, cooling restrictions and
`higher power demands.
`0005. It is an object of the invention to solve the disad
`vantages of the prior art method and system.
`0006. According to the invention said object is achieved
`by the method according to claim 1 and the transmission
`system according to claim 4.
`0007 Accordingly, the system is made flexible for the use
`of carrier signals with different radio-frequency bands in
`different antenna network parts and/or the use of identical
`radio-frequency bands in different antenna networks asso
`ciated with different peripheral devices. The intermediate
`coupling device may suitably be identical for use with any
`configuration or distribution of carrier signals among dif
`ferent antenna network parts. Thus, the intermediate cou
`pling device may be standardized according to frequency
`band allocation to telephone companies and may therefore
`reduce costs of production, sales and reconfiguration. The
`intermediate coupling device may be installed at a location
`which is remote from the main coupling device, which may
`save transmission power and may reduce the demands for
`space and cooling on beforehand.
`
`0008. The invention will now be described with reference
`to the drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a prior art transmission
`0009)
`system;
`0010 FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a transmission system
`according to the invention;
`0011 FIG. 3 shows a diagram of an intermediate cou
`pling device of the system shown in FIG. 2;
`0012 FIG. 4 shows in further detail a first embodiment
`of a Switch node of the intermediate coupling device shown
`in FIG. 3;
`0013 FIG. 5 shows in further detail a second embodi
`ment of a Switch made of the intermediate coupling device
`shown in FIG. 3;
`0014 FIG. 6 shows in further detail a third embodiment
`of a Switch node of the intermediate coupling device shown
`in FIG. 3 with no further peripheral device connected
`thereto;
`0.015 FIG. 7 shows the third embodiment of a switch
`node with a further peripheral device connected thereto; and
`0016 FIG. 8 shows the third embodiment of a switch
`node with a further peripheral device through a one-direc
`tional line.
`0017. The prior art transmission system shown in FIG. 1
`comprises a main coupling device 3, a network 4 of a
`plurality of antenna's 6 and a branched cable 7 which
`connects the main coupling device 3 to the antenna's 6, and
`one or more peripheral devices 8 which are connected to the
`main coupling device 3. A peripheral device 8 represents a
`Source and/or destination for a one or more signals from a
`plurality of possible carrier signals, which each occupy a
`different radio-frequency band. The main coupling device 3
`couples the carrier signals used in the system to a main
`transmission path provided by cable 7 for feeding carrier
`signals from peripheral devices 8 to the antenna’s 6. In
`addition, the main coupling device 3 distributes carrier
`signals received from the antenna's 6 over said main trans
`mission path to peripheral devices 8.
`0018. Usually the antenna's 6 of the network 4 will be
`distributed over the premises of a company or institution.
`The antenna's may be distributed inside or outside several
`buildings. There may also be other transmission systems
`with similar or dissimilar antenna arrangements nearby.
`0019. Some carrier signals may be interfered from other
`signals, such as carrier signals used in other nearby trans
`mission systems. Yet, interference may occur only for a part
`of antenna network 4, for example only relating to antenna's
`6 installed in or on upper floors of a building and only for
`Some of the carrier signals. Therefore one may want to use
`different carrier signals in different parts of the antenna
`network 4. To that extent one could apply separate antenna
`networks of which the branched cables are connected to
`different ports of a main coupling device. In that case the
`main coupling device can be considered to consist of sepa
`rate devices each having one port connected to a cable of an
`antenna network. This is like having the system shown in
`FIG. 1 duplicated. In case duplicated coupling devices are
`installed in the same cabinet Such arrangement requires long
`cables to antenna networks which are not closest to the
`
`

`

`US 2006/0258.305 A1
`
`Nov. 16, 2006
`
`coupling devices, which will be cumbersome and costly to
`install and which may require increased transmission power
`and receiving sensitivity of the coupling devices. In addi
`tion, Such arrangement may cause problems as to power and
`cooling requirements.
`0020. As observed before, carrier signals for use with the
`system are signals like those of GSM and UMTS services
`which can be allocated to and handled by different commu
`nication service providers or telephone companies. There
`fore several and different peripheral devices 8 may be used,
`depending on communication services to be offered and
`demands by communication service providers. In any case,
`a number of ports of the main coupling device 3 which can
`be connected to peripheral devices 8 will be limited. There
`fore any modification of the system which requires the
`addition of a peripheral device 8 above said limited number
`of ports will require modification of main coupling device 3.
`if not replacement thereof. Doing so will have the system go
`down for a significant time which, apart from the modifi
`cation or replacement of main coupling device 3, will be
`inconvenient to users and may incur further costs.
`0021 With the transmission system according to the
`invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the antenna network 4 of the
`prior art system is split into or expanded to more than one
`antenna networks 14, 15, which comprise branched cables
`17, 18 respectively and antenna’s 6. Using the invention the
`split may be effective only for certain carrier frequencies,
`leaving the others completely undisturbed. Just like
`branched cable 7 of the prior art system shown in FIG. 1,
`branched cable 17 of the system shown in FIG. 2 is
`connected to one or more peripheral devices 8 through a
`main coupling device 3. Branched cables 17 and 18 are
`connected to each other by an intermediate coupling device
`21 which is connected also to one or more further peripheral
`devices 22, which may be of the same type as a peripheral
`device 8. In this description the term “intermediate’ means
`“in between rather than precisely halfway.
`0022 Branched cables 17 and 18 provide first and second
`main transmission paths respectively.
`0023 Intermediate coupling device 21 is arranged to
`exchange carrier signals between the second antenna net
`work 15 and the main coupling device 3 or between the
`second antenna network 15 and the one or more further
`peripheral devices 22.
`0024 Intermediate coupling device 21 will be described
`in further detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
`0.025
`FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the intermediate cou
`pling device 21 and it comprises a first splitter/combiner 31,
`a second splitter/combiner 32 and a plurality of switches 33,
`which could be electronic switches. A splitter/combiner 31,
`32 is preferably composed of a bank of filters. FIG. 4 shows
`a diagram of a switch 33.
`0026. One port of splitter/combiner 31 is connected to
`branched cable 17 of the first antenna network 14 of the
`system shown in FIG. 2. One port of splitter/combiner 32 is
`connected to branched cable 18 of the second antenna
`network 15 of the system shown in FIG. 2. Each splitter/
`combiner 31, 32 derives carrier signals carried by the
`branched cable 17, 18 respectively connected therewith and
`feed the derived carrier signals into transmission paths 35,
`36 of a first group and a second group of intermediate
`transmission paths coupled to splitter/combiner 31, 32
`respectively. The splitter/combiners 31, 32 is preferably
`frequency selective to subbands assigned to different tele
`
`phone companies. Each Switch 33 is connected to an inter
`mediate transmission path 35 of the first group, an interme
`diate transmission path 36 of the second group and to a
`further peripheral device 22, if existent, by a cable 38.
`0027 Apart from splitting a main transmission path pro
`vided by cables 17 and 18 into intermediate transmission
`paths 35, 36 for different carrier signals the splitter/combin
`ers 31, 32 are arranged to combine carrier signals from
`intermediate transmission paths 35, 36 to a composed signal
`for transmission over cable 17, 18 respectively.
`0028. As shown in FIG. 4, a first embodiment of a switch
`33 comprises a dual two-way switch 42. One common
`terminal 43 is connected to an intermediate transmission
`path 35 of the first group of intermediate transmission paths.
`A second common terminal 44 is connected to a cable 38. In
`a first position of switch 33 (or 42), as shown in FIG. 4, the
`intermediate transmission path 35 of the first group is
`connected to a line termination or terminator 45 and cable 38
`is connected to said intermediate transmission path 36 of the
`second group. In a second position of switch 33 (or 42) the
`intermediate transmission path 35 of the first group is
`connected to the intermediate transmission path 36 of the
`second group and cable 38 is connected to a terminator 46.
`0029 Terminators 45 and 46 are line terminating mem
`bers, which each may consist of a simple resistor.
`0030. From the above it will be clear that the intermediate
`coupling device 21 is suitable to have a carrier signal
`frequency band of the second antenna network 15 occupied
`by a carrier signal exchanged between the first and second
`antenna networks 14, 15 or between a further peripheral
`device 22 and the second antenna network 15.
`0031. The intermediate coupling device 21 is suitable to
`be manufactured as standard device for use with different
`configurations of a system according to the invention with
`different numbers of peripheral devices 22.
`0032) Preferably switches 33, in particular switches 42
`thereof, are electronic Switches, so that any modification of
`the use of carrier signal frequency bands can be carried out
`by remote control. Such remote control of an electronic
`switch may be provided by a peripheral device 22 as
`associated with said switch, with the further peripheral
`device 22 having appropriate remote control functionality.
`0033 FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a switch 33.
`The second embodiment of FIG. 5 differs from the first
`embodiment of FIG. 4 by that switch 42 is replaced by a
`swap-type switch 47 having common terminals 48 and 49
`connected to the intermediate path 35 and line 38 respec
`tively. Dependent on being in either one of its two positions
`switch 47 connects intermediate path 35 to intermediate path
`36 and cable 38 to terminator 46 or intermediate path 35 to
`terminator 46 and cable 38 to intermediate path 36. As
`shown in FIG. 5, said second embodiment needs only one
`terminator.
`0034. As shown in FIG. 6 a third embodiment of a switch
`33 comprises a circulator 50 having three ports 51, 52, 53,
`which are connected to intermediate path 35, cable 38 and
`intermediate path 36 respectively. A circulator is known per
`se. A signal which is input at an input port thereof may
`circulate in a circulation direction 54 from the input port to
`Subsequent ports.
`0035). As shown in FIG. 6 a short circuit 56 is applied to
`the second port 52 of circulator 50. A signal fed from
`intermediate path 35 into the circulator 50 through the first
`
`

`

`US 2006/0258.305 A1
`
`Nov. 16, 2006
`
`port 51 will enter the second port 52, will be reflected by the
`short circuit 56, re-enter port 52 and than leave the circulator
`50 through the third port 53 into the second intermediate
`path 36.
`0036) As shown in FIG. 7, with respect to FIG. 6 the
`short circuit 56 has been replaced by a further peripheral
`device 22. An output/input of the further peripheral device
`22 connected to cable 38 presents a matched impedance with
`respect to cable 38. The matched impedance of the further
`peripheral device 22 will absorb a signal coming from the
`first intermediate path 35 through the first and second ports
`51, 52 and cable 38. A signal delivered by the further
`peripheral device 22 to the second port 52 of circulator 50
`will arrive at the third port 53 and will enter the second
`intermediate path 36.
`0037. Therefore, dependent on connecting a short circuit
`56 or a further peripheral device 22 to the second port 52 of
`circulator 50 this configuration operates as a switch for
`entering a signal into the second intermediate path 36 from
`the first intermediate path 35 or from the further peripheral
`device 22.
`0038. As shown in FIG. 8 a one-directional line 58 may
`be connected in cable 38 between the further peripheral
`device 22 and the second port 52 of circulator 50. The
`one-directional line 58 operates as an isolator for protecting
`the further peripheral device 22 against a signal from the first
`intermediate path under worst case circumstances. The one
`directional line 58 could be another circulator with the
`second port terminated by a matched load.
`1. A method for coupling each of one or more peripheral
`devices to a network of distributed antennas, each peripheral
`device being suitable for transmission of one or more carrier
`signals, which each occupy a different radio frequency band,
`the network of antennas comprising a main transmission
`path by cable, in which the carrier signals are coupled into
`and out of the main transmission path from and to the
`peripheral devices respectively, comprising the steps of
`characterized by:
`a) dividing the network of antennas into a first network
`and a second network comprising a first main trans
`mission path part and a second main transmission path
`part of the main transmission path respectively; and
`at a location between the first and second main transmis
`sion path parts:
`b) splitting the first main transmission path part into a first
`group of intermediate transmission paths for transmis
`sion of different carrier signals over different interme
`diate transmission paths of the first group;
`c) splitting the second main transmission path part into a
`second group of intermediate transmission paths for
`transmission of different carrier signals over different
`intermediate transmission paths of the second group;
`and
`d) connecting an intermediate path of the second group to
`an intermediate path of the first group or to a further
`peripheral device.
`2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an interme
`diate path of the first group of intermediate paths is con
`nected to an intermediate path of the second group of
`intermediate paths or to an intermediate path terminating
`member.
`
`3. The method according to claim 2, wherein an input of
`the intermediate coupling device for connection to the
`further peripheral device is connected to an intermediate
`path of the second group of intermediate paths or to an
`intermediate path terminating member.
`4. A transmission system, comprising a main coupling
`device and a network of distributed antennas having a cable
`providing a main transmission path, the main coupling
`device being Suitable for coupling the cable to one or more
`peripheral devices, each of which being suitable for trans
`mission of one or more carrier signals, which each occupy
`a different radio frequency band, wherein the network of
`antennas being divided into first and second networks pro
`viding first and second main transmission path parts of the
`main transmission path respectively, an intermediate cou
`pling device being coupled to the first and second main
`transmission path parts and splitting the first and second
`main transmission path parts into a first and second groups
`of intermediate paths respectively for transmission per group
`of intermediate paths of different carrier signals over differ
`ent intermediate transmission paths, and the intermediate
`coupling device connecting an intermediate path of the
`second group to an intermediate path of the first group or to
`a further peripheral device.
`5. The transmission system according to claim 4, wherein
`a path of the first group of intermediate paths is connected
`to a path of the second group of intermediate paths or to an
`intermediate path terminating member.
`6. The transmission system according to claim 5, wherein
`an input of the intermediate coupling device for connection
`to the further peripheral device is connected to an interme
`diate path of the second group of intermediate paths or to an
`intermediate path terminating member.
`7. The transmission system according to claim 6 wherein
`the intermediate paths of the first and second groups of
`intermediate paths and the further peripheral device are
`connected to each other by remote controllable electronic
`Switches.
`8. The transmission system according to claim 7, wherein
`remote control of the electronic switches is exercised by
`control functionality of a peripheral device which is asso
`ciated with the Switch.
`9. The transmission system according to claim 4, wherein
`a first port of circulator is connected to a first intermediate
`path, a second port is connected to a short circuit or to a
`further peripheral device, and a third port of the circulator is
`connected to a second intermediate.
`10. The transmission system according to claim 9.
`wherein with a further peripheral device connected to the
`second port of circulator the further peripheral device pro
`vides a matched load to said second port.
`11. The transmission system according to claim 10,
`wherein with a further peripheral device connected to the
`second port of circulator the further peripheral device is
`connected to said second port through an isolator which
`provides a matched load to said second port.
`12. The transmission system according to claim 11,
`wherein the isolator is a further circulator of which an
`intermediate or second port is terminated by a matched load.
`
`