Digital multiplexer in a distributed antenna system

Abstract

A system for routing signals in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) includes one or more Base Band Units (BBUs). Each of the one or more BBUs has one or more digital outputs. The system also includes a plurality of Digital Multiplexer Units (DMUs) coupled to each other and operable to route signals between the plurality of DMUs. Each of the plurality of DMUs is operable to receive one or more digital inputs from the one or more BBUs. The system further includes a plurality of Digital Remote Units (DRUs) coupled to the plurality of DMUs and operable to transport signals between the plurality of DRUs and one or more of the plurality of DMUs.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A Distributed Antenna System (DAS) comprising:
 at least one Digital Multiplexer Unit (DMU), wherein each DMU comprises one or more digital input ports operable to receive one or more digital inputs from one or more Base Band Units (BBUs), and at least one digital output port; and   at least one Digital Access Unit (DAU), operably connected to the at least one DMU and configured to forward one or more digital signals from the at least one DMU, and over an optical cable, to at least one of a plurality of Digital Remote Units (DRUs).   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein a DMU is operatively connected to a BBU of the one or more BBUs via an optical cable. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the BBU includes a plurality of sectors. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein a DAU is operatively connected to a Base Transceiver Station (BTS). 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the BTS includes a plurality of sectors. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the DAU forwards signals from a DMU and a BTS to the at least one of a plurality of DRUs. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein each DMU is operable to receive digital signals from each of the one or more BBUs. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein each DMU is operatively coupled to each other DMU via at least one of an Ethernet cable, an optical fiber, a microwave line of sight link, a wireless link, or a satellite link. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of DRUs are connected in a daisy chain configuration. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of DRUs are connected in a star configuration. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of DRUs are connected in a loop. 
     
     
         32 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at at least one Digital Multiplexer Unit (DMU), one or more digital inputs, wherein each DMU comprises one or more digital input ports that receive the one or more digital inputs from one or more Base Band Units (BBUs); and   forwarding, via at least one Digital Access Unit (DAU) and over an optical cable, one or more digital signals from the at least one DMU to at least one of a plurality of Digital Remote Units (DRUs).   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein a DMU is operatively connected to a BBU of the one or more BBUs via an optical cable. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the BBU includes a plurality of sectors. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein a DAU is operatively connected to a Base Transceiver Station (BTS). 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the BTS includes a plurality of sectors. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising combining, by the DAU, signals from a DMU and a BTS, with the combined signal is forwarded to the at least one of a plurality of DRUs. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising receiving, at each DMU, digital signals from each of the one or more BBUs. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein each DMU is operatively coupled to each other DMU via at least one of an Ethernet cable, an optical fiber, a microwave line of sight link, a wireless link, or a satellite link. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of DRUs are connected in a daisy chain configuration. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of DRUs are connected in a star configuration. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of DRUs are connected in a loop. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the DAU forwards signals from a DMU and RF signals from a BTS to the at least one of a plurality of DRUs.