(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2012/0057572 A1
`Evans et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Mar. 8, 2012
`
`US 20120057572A1
`
`(54) TRANSMISSION OF MULTIPROTOCOL
`DATA IN ADISTRIBUTED ANTENNA
`SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventors:
`
`Allan M. Evans, Cupertino, CA
`(US); Albert W. Wegener, Portola
`Valley, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Samplify Systems, Inc., Santa
`Clara, CA (US)
`
`12/874,910
`
`Sep. 2, 2010
`O
`O
`Publication Classification
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`1-1.
`(22) Filed:
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`H04784/12
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................ 370/338
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`In a distributed antenna system (DAS) and a local area net
`work (LAN), a common communication infrastructure dis
`tributes data from radio-based and Internet-based sources. A
`radio equipment (RE) of the DAS interfaces to a LAN seg
`ment. For the downlink, a gateway maps radio signal data
`from a radio equipment controller (REC) and data packets
`from a Switch to mixed-data frames using a radio data inter
`face protocol for transmission in the DAS. At the RE, the
`signal data and data packets are retrieved from the mixed-data
`frames and provided to the air interface and LAN segment,
`respectively. For the uplink from the RE, the radio signal data
`from the air interface and the data packets from the LAN
`segment are mapped to mixed-data frames and transmitted to
`the gateway. The gateway retrieves the signal samples and
`data packets from the mixed-data frames for transfer to the
`REC and switch, respectively.
`
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`US 2012/0057572 A1
`
`Mar. 8, 2012
`
`TRANSMISSION OF MULTIPROTOCOL
`DATA IN ADISTRIBUTED ANTENNA
`SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The present invention relates to data transmission in
`a distributed antenna system (DAS) in proximity with a local
`area network (LAN), wherein a radio data interface protocol
`is applied to the data having multiple data protocols for trans
`fer over the transmission infrastructure of the DAS.
`0002 Transceiver systems in wireless communication
`networks perform the control functions for directing signals
`among communicating Subscribers, or terminals, as well as
`communication with external networks. The general opera
`tions of a radio transceiver system include receiving radio
`frequency (RF) signals, converting them to signal data, per
`forming various control and signal processing operations on
`the signal data, converting the signal data to an RF signal and
`transmitting the RF signal to the wireless subscriber. Trans
`ceiver systems in wireless communications networks include
`radio base stations and distributed antenna systems (DAS).
`For the reverse link, or uplink, a terminal transmits the RF
`signal received by the transceiver system. For the forward
`link, or downlink, the transceiver system transmits the RF
`signal to a Subscriber, or terminal, in the wireless network. A
`terminal may be fixed or mobile wireless user equipment unit
`(UE) and may be a wireless device, cellular phone, personal
`digital assistant (PDA), personal computer or other device
`equipped with a wireless modem.
`0003 Transceiver systems in wireless communication
`networks must manage the increasing amounts of data
`required for offering new services to an expanding Subscriber
`base. System design challenges include ensuring flexibility
`for evolving standards, Supporting growing data processing
`requirements and reducing overall cost. The modular design
`approach for radio base stations and distributed antenna sys
`tems provides the flexibility to meet these challenges. The
`components of modular designs include base station proces
`sors, or radio equipment controllers (RECs) and RF units, or
`radio equipments (RE), coupled by serial data links, using
`copper wire or fiber optic cabling. The REs include transmit
`ters, receivers, analog to digital converters (ADCs) and digital
`to analog converter (DACs). Wire or fiber optic serial data
`links transfer the sampled signals between the REs and the
`REC of the radio base station system. The sampled signals
`may be centered at the RF or converted to an intermediate
`frequency (IF) or baseband prior to transfer over the data link.
`The REC includes functions for signal processing, control
`and communication with external networks.
`0004. In a typical wireless communication network, wire
`less user equipment units (UES) communicate via a radio
`access network (RAN) to one or more core networks. The
`RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into cell
`areas, with each cell area being served by a radio base station.
`A cell is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided
`by the radio equipment (RE) at a base station site. Each cell is
`identified by a unique identity, which is broadcast in the cell.
`The RE communicates over the air interface with the UEs
`within range of the base station. In the radio access network,
`several base stations are typically connected (e.g., by land
`lines or microwave) to a control node known as a base station
`controller (BSC) or radio network controller (RNC). The
`control node Supervises and coordinates various activities of
`the plural radio base stations connected to it. The RNCs are
`
`typically connected to one or more core networks. One
`example of a radio access network is the Universal Mobile
`Telecommunications (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Net
`work (UTRAN). The UTRAN radio access network uses
`wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) for com
`munication with the UEs.
`0005. The modular design approach for radio transceiver
`systems has led the industry to develop interface standards.
`One example of an internal interface of a transceiver system
`which links the radio equipment to a radio equipment control
`controller is the Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI). The
`Common Public Radio Interface Specification Version 4.1
`(2009 Feb. 18) and previous versions, referred to herein as
`“CPRI specification.” define a publicly available specifica
`tion for the data transfer interfaces between the radio equip
`ment (RE) and radio equipment controllers (REC) of trans
`ceiver systems, including base stations and distributed
`antenna systems (DAS). The radio equipment control (REC)
`processes baseband signal data and communicates with the
`RNC via an interface referred to as “Iub for UMTS. The
`radio equipment (RE) performs the RF processing for trans
`mission of signals over the antenna to UES, referred to as
`“Uu for the UMTS air interface. The REC and RE corre
`spond to the base station processor and the RF unit, respec
`tively. The CPRI specification defines protocols for the serial
`interface and operations at the physical layer (Layer 1) and
`the data link layer (Layer 2). Layer 1 and Layer 2 are two of
`seven categories in the hierarchy of communications func
`tions defined for the “Open System Interconnection (OSI)”
`network architecture developed by the International Organi
`zation for Standardization (ISO), referred to as the ISO-OSI
`network architecture. The serial data link between REC and
`RE or between two REs, is abidirectional interface with one
`transmission line per direction. Connection topologies
`between the REC and one or more REs include point-to
`point, multiple point-to-point, chain, star, tree, ring and com
`binations thereof.
`0006. The CPRI specification supports cellular radio stan
`dards 3GPP UTRA FDD, Release 8 (December 2008) and
`3GPP E-UTRA, Release 8 (December 2008). The CPRI
`specification also supports the wireless networking protocol
`Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, known as
`WiMax (IEEE 802.16-2004 and IEEE 802.16e-2005). For
`WiMax, the REC provides access to network entities, such as
`other WiMax base stations or a WiMax Access Service Net
`work Gateway (ASN-GW). The RE provides the air interface
`to the subscriber station or mobile subscriber station.
`0007 Another example of an interface specification for
`modular architecture of radio transceiver systems is the Open
`Base Station Architecture Initiative (OBSAI). The OBSAI
`specification describes alternative protocols for the intercon
`nection of RF modules, analogous to RE of the CPRI speci
`fication, and baseband modules, analogous to REC of the
`CPRI specification, as well as data transfer protocols for the
`serial data links. The OBSAI standard supports several wire
`less modulation formats, including GSM/EDGE, WCDMA,
`CDMA and WiMax. The OBSAI standard can also accom
`modate other wireless network configurations or signal
`modulation formats by incorporating general purpose mod
`ules. The OBSAI standard is described in the documents,
`“OBSAI Open Base Station Architecture Initiative BTS Sys
`tem. Reference Document, Version 2.0, 2006, and “OBSAI
`Open Base Station Architecture Initiative Reference Point 3
`Specification.” Version 4.0, 2007.
`
`

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`US 2012/0057572 A1
`
`Mar. 8, 2012
`
`0008. A distributed antenna system (DAS) distributes sig
`nal data from a main antenna or radio data resource to mul
`tiple remote antennas connected via Cat5 cable, coaxial cable
`or fiber optic links. ADAS can connect to a variety of wireless
`services and then rebroadcast those signals throughout the
`areas in which the DAS is installed. For example, a DAS can
`improve cellular telephone coverage within a large building
`or other structure. A main transceiver and antenna positioned
`on the roof of the building is connected by cable or fiber to
`multiples distributed antennas within the building. A DAS
`may include a "head end into which source signals are com
`bined for distribution to remote radio units. A DAS system
`may provide coverage in confined spaces, such as high rise
`buildings, tunnels, railways and airports. As defined by the
`DAS Forum of the Personal Communications Industry Asso
`ciation (PCIA), a DAS is a network of spatially separated
`antenna nodes connected to a common Source via a transport
`medium that provides wireless communication service within
`a geographic area or structure. The DAS antenna elevations
`are generally at or below the clutter level and node installa
`tions are compact. A digital serial data link may connect the
`head end to the remote radio units, or heads.
`0009 Communication infrastructure within a building or
`structure may include physically distinct networks that Sup
`port different services. For example, the communications
`infrastructure for a large building may include a DAS for
`providing cellular telephone service to UE devices on the
`premises and an Ethernet-based local area network (LAN) for
`providing Internet service to user terminals in the building.
`The DAS for the building may include a head end REC that
`interfaces with the RAN and one or more REs distributed at
`locations in the structure for communication over the air
`interface with UE devices. The building's LAN may include
`an Ethernet switch connected to the Internet and distributing
`the data packets to the user terminals via the Ethernet media
`system, such as the Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) twisted-pair
`1OOOBASE-T.
`0010. Using a common distribution infrastructure for data
`from both the radio access network and from other sources,
`Such as the Internet, can provide savings in both the commu
`nication infrastructure installation and maintenance. The
`LAN infrastructures commonly use the protocols for Ethernet
`data link layer (Layer 2) and physical layer (Layer1)
`described in the IEEE 802.3 Standard. The DAS may use the
`CPRI protocol or other radio data protocol to distribute radio
`packets between the head end REC and the REs distributed in
`the building or structure. Mapping the Ethernet frames to the
`CPRI radio data framing protocol without introducing unac
`ceptable latency to the distribution of data to both wireless
`devices and to Internet subscribers will allow a single com
`munication infrastructure to support both services within the
`building or structure. The combined DAS and LAN distribu
`tion infrastructure will allow economies in both installation
`and maintenance of the radio network and Internet network
`services within the building or structure.
`0011
`Increasing the data transfer capacity of serial data
`links allows lower cost links in the DAS. Compression of
`signal samples prior to transfer over the serial data links
`improves the capacity of existing data links to transfer
`increasing traffic, possibly eliminating or at least postponing,
`the need to upgrade the existing data links. Computationally
`efficient compression and decompression conserves comput
`ing resources. Therefore, there is also a need for compressing
`signal samples from the radio Sources and transferring the
`
`compressed samples with the data from the Internet or LAN
`sources using the radio data transfer protocol of the DAS.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0012. A general object of the invention is to provide effi
`cient transmission of data having different sources and pro
`tocols in a DAS and LAN using a common communication
`infrastructure.
`0013 The present invention provides a method of data
`distribution in a DAS and LAN that supports downlink com
`munication. For the downlink communication, a REC pro
`vides signal samples organized in radio data frames in accor
`dance with a radio data interface protocol and a Switch
`provides data packets organized in accordance with a LAN
`protocol. The data packets are destined for a corresponding
`LAN segment coupled to communicate with a corresponding
`RE. The method includes steps performed at a gateway of
`receiving the data packets from the Switch, receiving the
`signal samples from the REC, mapping the data bits from the
`data packets and the signal samples to one or more mixed
`data frames having the frame structure in accordance with the
`radio data interface protocol, and transmitting the mixed-data
`frame over a data transfer interface to the corresponding RE.
`At the RE, the method includes steps of receiving the mixed
`data frame, retrieving the data bits and the signal samples
`from the mixed-data frame, formatting the data bits into
`reconstructed data packets in accordance with the LAN pro
`tocol for transmission to the corresponding LAN segment,
`and providing the signal Samples of the corresponding
`antenna-carrier to the DUC.
`0014. The present invention further provides a method of
`data distribution in a DAS and LAN that supports uplink
`communication. For the uplink communication, data packets,
`organized in accordance with the LAN protocol, are trans
`mitted from one or more LAN segments of the LAN to the
`corresponding RE. The RE applies an analog to digital con
`Verter (ADC) to a received analog signal and a digital down
`converter (DDC) to produce the signal samples of one or more
`antenna-carriers. At the RE, the method comprises steps of
`receiving the data packets from a corresponding LAN seg
`ment, mapping the data bits from the data packets and the
`signal samples output from the DDC to one or more mixed
`data frames, the mixed-data frame having a frame structure in
`accordance with a radio data interface protocol, and transmit
`ting the mixed-data frame over a data transfer interface to the
`gateway. At the gateway, the method comprises the steps of
`receiving the mixed-data frame, retrieving the data bits and
`the signal samples from the mixed-data frame, formatting the
`data bits into one or more reconstructed data packets in accor
`dance with the LAN protocol for transmission to a switch, and
`mapping the signal samples to a radio data frame for transfer
`to a REC.
`0015 The present invention further provides an apparatus
`for data distribution in a DAS and LAN that supports down
`link communication. For the downlink communication, a
`REC provides signal samples organized in radio data frames
`in accordance with a radio data interface protocol and a
`Switch provides data packets organized in accordance with a
`LAN protocol. The data packets are destined for a corre
`sponding LAN segment coupled to communicate with a cor
`responding RE. The apparatus comprises a gateway, includ
`ing one or more gateway ports to receive the data packets from
`the Ethernet Switch. The gateway receives the signal samples
`from the REC via a serial data link. The signal samples are
`
`

`

`US 2012/0057572 A1
`
`Mar. 8, 2012
`
`organized into one or more radio data frames. The gateway
`comprises a mixed-data framer that maps the data bits from
`the data packets and the signal samples for the corresponding
`RE into one or more mixed-data frames, the mixed-data
`frames having the frame structure in accordance with the
`radio data interface protocol. The mixed-data frames are
`transferred via a data transfer interface to the corresponding
`RE. At the RE, a mixed-data deframer retrieves the data bits
`and the signal samples from the mixed-data frame and pro
`vides the signal samples to the DUC. Formatting logic for
`mats the data bits into one or more reconstructed data packets
`for transmission to the corresponding LAN segment.
`0016. The present invention further provides an apparatus
`for data distribution in a DAS and LAN that supports uplink
`communication. For the uplink communication, the data
`packets, organized in accordance with the LAN protocol, are
`transmitted from one or more LAN segments of the LAN to
`the corresponding RE. The RE applies an ADC to a received
`analog signal followed by a DDC to produce the signal
`samples of one or more antenna-carriers. At the RE, the
`apparatus comprises a mixed-data framer that receives the
`signal samples output from the DDC and the data bits of the
`data packets received from the corresponding LAN segment.
`The mixed-data framer maps the data bits and the signal
`samples to one or more mixed-data frames having a frame
`structure in accordance with a radio data interface protocol.
`The apparatus further comprises a gateway that receives the
`mixed-data frame from the corresponding RE via a data trans
`fer interface. The gateway comprises a mixed-data deframer
`that retrieves the data bits and the signal samples from the
`mixed-data frame, formatting logic that formats the data bits
`into one or more reconstructed data packets for transmission
`to a Switch, and a radio data framer that maps the signal
`samples into one or more radio data frames for transfer to a
`REC.
`0017. A gateway is described that is arranged for an
`addressed packet protocol including packets having destina
`tion addresses, such as an Ethernet protocol, and a time divi
`sion multiplexed container protocol. Such as a radio data
`interface protocol, configured for a communication with an
`access point Such as a radio or radios like those used in RE
`systems with co-located wireless data networks and wireless
`cellular telephone networks. The gateway comprises a plu
`rality of data ports, including a first port configured for data
`communications according to the addressed packet protocol
`with end Stations accessible through the access point, a sec
`ond port configured for data communications according to the
`time division multiplexed container protocol and a third port
`configured for data communications according to the time
`division multiplexed container protocol between the gateway
`and the access point; and a processor coupled to the plurality
`of data ports, including logic to process downlink data pack
`ets from the addressed packet protocol carrying destination
`addresses of end stations accessible through the access point,
`and downlink containers including groups of signal samples
`from the time division multiplexed container protocol, and to
`produce mixed-data communications according to the time
`division multiplexed container protocol, including a first set
`of output containers carrying respective parts of the downlink
`data packets and a second set of output containers carrying
`respective groups of the signal samples from the downlink
`containers, and to transmit first and second sets of containers
`on the third port. Also the gateway can include logic to pro
`cess mixed-data communications including uplink mixed
`
`data input containers from the time division multiplexed con
`tainer protocol received on the third port, the mixed-data
`input containers including sets of input containers carrying
`parts of uplink data packets from the addressed packet pro
`tocol having source addresses from the end stations acces
`sible through the access point, and sets of input containers
`carrying groups of uplink data samples from the wireless
`cellular protocol, and to produce data communications
`according to the addressed packet protocol carrying the
`uplink data packets and data communications according to
`the time division multiplexed container protocol carrying
`groups of the uplink data samples. In advantageous embodi
`ments, the gateway processor includes logic to apply data
`compression to the signal samples for the second set of output
`containers.
`0018. A radio network access device is also described that
`is arranged for an addressed packet protocol including pack
`ets having destination addresses and a wireless cellular pro
`tocol, and that is adapted for use with the gateway described
`above. The access device that is described comprises a radio
`or radios including one or more antennas configured for com
`munications according to the addressed packet protocol with
`end stations accessible through the radio or radios, and for
`data communications according to wireless cellular protocol;
`a data port configured for data communications according to
`a time division multiplexed container protocol; and a proces
`Sor coupled to the radio or radios and the data port, including
`logic to process data packets from the addressed packet pro
`tocol and an uplink stream of signal samples from wireless
`cellular protocol, and to produce mixed-data communica
`tions according to a time division multiplexed container pro
`tocol, including a first set of output containers carrying parts
`of the uplink data packets and a second set of output contain
`ers carrying groups of the uplink signal samples, and to trans
`mit the first and second sets of containers on the data port. The
`processor of the access device can also include logic coupled
`to the data port and to the radio or radios, to process mixed
`data communications according to a time division multi
`plexed container protocol received on the data port, including
`a first set of input containers carrying parts of downlink data
`packets and a second set of input containers carrying groups
`of downlink signal samples, and to transmit the addressed
`data packets for the addressed packet protocol and a stream of
`signal samples for the cellular protocol to the radio or radios.
`In advantageous embodiments, the access point processor
`includes logic to apply data compression to the signal
`samples for the second set of output containers.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`0019 FIG. 1 illustrates communication between REC and
`RE modules for a DAS or a radio base station.
`0020 FIG. 2 shows an example configuration having two
`RES.
`FIG. 3 shows multiple point-to-point links between
`0021
`one REC and several REs in a star topology.
`0022 FIG. 4 shows multiple REs connected in series to
`REC in a chain topology.
`0023 FIG. 5 shows interconnected REs connected to the
`REC in a tree topology.
`0024 FIG. 6 shows REC and REs connected in a ring
`topology.
`(0025 FIG. 7 illustrates an overview of the basic protocol
`hierarchy in accordance with the CPRI specification.
`
`

`

`US 2012/0057572 A1
`
`Mar. 8, 2012
`
`0026 FIG. 8 illustrates the CPRI basic frame structure for
`the 614.4 Mbps line bit rate.
`0027 FIG. 9 illustrates the CPRI basic frame structure for
`the 1228.8 Mbps line bit rate.
`0028 FIG. 10 illustrates the CPRI framing hierarchy for
`the 1228.8 Mbps line bit rate.
`0029 FIG. 11 shows an example of mapping I.Q data for
`transfer according to the CPRI protocol.
`0030 FIG. 12 gives an overview of the functions of the RE
`and REC.
`0031 FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a DAS that distrib
`utes data within a building or structure from radio network,
`LAN and Internet sources, in accordance with a preferred
`embodiment.
`0032 FIG. 14 is an embodiment of downlink functions of
`the gateway in communication with three REs.
`0033 FIG. 15 illustrates an example of mapping I.Q data
`and Ethernet data by the mixed-data framer.
`0034 FIG. 16 is an embodiment of uplink communication
`functions of the gateway connected with three REs.
`0035 FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the RE, in accordance
`with a preferred embodiment.
`0.036
`FIG. 18 illustrates an overview of communication
`between the REC, gateway and RE.
`0037 FIG. 19 illustrates an example of communication
`between the REC, gateway and two REs connected in a chain
`topology.
`0038 FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a DAS topology
`having cascaded REs and multiple LAN segments.
`0039 FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a RE that applies
`compression and decompression to the baseband I.Q signal
`samples, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.
`0040 FIG. 22 illustrates an example of mapping com
`pressed IQ data and Ethernet data by the mixed-data framer.
`0041
`FIG. 23 illustrates an example of a gateway that
`includes compression in the downlink functions.
`0042 FIG. 24 illustrates an example of a gateway that
`includes decompression in the uplink communication func
`tions.
`0043 FIG. 25 is an example of a REC that includes com
`pression and decompression.
`0044 FIG. 26 illustrates the mapping and multiplexing of
`the compressed data packets.
`0045 FIG.27 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of
`the compressors for the RE, gateway or REC.
`0046 FIG.28 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of
`the decompressor for the RE, gateway or REC.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0047 FIG. 1 illustrates communication between REC and
`RE modules for a DAS or a radio base station. The REC 22
`and RE 24 are connected by a serial data link 26. The Layer 2
`and the Layer 1 blocks represent the communication func
`tions between the REC 22 and the RE 24. As in the CPRI
`specification, the description herein is based on the UMTS
`(Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) nomencla
`ture. However, the REC 22, RE 24 and the serial data link 26
`may operate in accordance with other specifications, such as
`the above-referenced OBSAI specification or a proprietary
`specification.
`0048. In a DAS, the REC 22 and one or more REs 24 may
`be physically separated. The REs 24 may be close to the one
`or more antennas radiating signals to UES in the building or
`structure via the Uu interface 32. The REC 22 may be located
`
`in a conveniently accessible site. Depending on the interface
`30 between the REC and the radio access network (RAN), the
`REC 22 and one of the REs 24 may be co-located, as in a
`conventional radio base station design, at the head end of the
`DAS and additional remote REs 24 installed at remote loca
`tions in the building or structure. Alternatively, the interface
`30 may connect the REC 22 and a Radio Network Controller
`(RNC) via the Ilub interface for the UMTS radio access net
`work.
`0049. The basic functions of the REC 22 may include the
`Iub transport and protocols, the Node B (base station) control
`and management, and the digital baseband processing. For
`the downlink (i.e., from REC 22 to RE 24), the REC 22
`handles such operations as channel coding, interleaving,
`spreading, scrambling, adding of physical channels, control
`ling transmit power of each physical channel, frame and
`signal slot generation (including clock stabilization). For the
`uplink (i.e., from RE 24 to REC 22), the REC 22 handles such
`operations as channel de-coding, de-interleaving, de-spread
`ing, de-scrambling, signal distribution to signal processing
`units, detection of feedback information for transmit power
`control, and signal to interference ratio measurement.
`0050. The RE 24 serves the air interface 32 to the user
`equipment (UE) or mobile devices (not illustrated). In an
`UMT