Power management for remote antenna units in distributed antenna systems

Abstract

Power management for remote units in a wireless distribution system. Power can be managed for a remote unit configured to power modules and devices that may require more power to operate than power available to the remote unit. For example, the remote unit may be configured to include power-consuming remote unit modules to provide communication services. As another example, the remote unit may be configured to provide power through powered ports in the remote unit to power-consuming devices. Depending on the configuration of the remote unit, the power-consuming remote unit modules and/or power-consuming devices may demand more power than is available at the remote unit. In this instance, the power available at the remote unit can be distributed to the power-consuming modules and devices based on the priority of services desired to be provided by the remote unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An antenna coverage area provided in a building, the antenna coverage area comprising:
 a remote unit comprising:
 at least one electrical-to-optical (E/O) converter configured to convert electrical uplink communications to optical uplink communications; 
 at least one optical-to-electrical (O/E) converter configured to convert optical downlink communications to electrical downlink communications; and 
 at least one antenna configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) communications services to a radius of up to 20 meters to define the antenna coverage area;
 wherein the remote unit comprises:
 a first communications port connected to and configured to provide power to a first external power-consuming device configured to provide WiFi service in the antenna coverage area; and 
 a second communications port. 
 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The antenna coverage area of  claim 1 , wherein a head end is coupled to the remote unit via a remote controller, wherein the remote controller is configured to provide a prioritization of services. 
     
     
         3 . The antenna coverage area of  claim 2 , wherein at least one riser cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers is in optical communication with the head end. 
     
     
         4 . The antenna coverage area of  claim 1 , further comprising a second external power-consuming device connected to the second communications port, the second external power-consuming device being configured to provide RF communications services. 
     
     
         5 . The antenna coverage area of  claim 2 , wherein the remote controller is configured to:
 receive a type of one or more of the first and the second external power-consuming devices from the at least one remote unit of the plurality of remote units; and   determine an allocation of power for one or more of the first communications port and the second communications port.   
     
     
         6 . The antenna coverage area of  claim 1 , wherein a second external power-consuming device is connected to the second communications port, the second external power-consuming device being configured to provide RF communications services. 
     
     
         7 . The antenna coverage area of  claim 6 , wherein the remote controller is configured to:
 receive a type of one or more of the first and the second external power-consuming devices from the at least one remote unit of the plurality of remote units; and   determine an allocation of power for one or more of the first communications port and the second communications port.   
     
     
         8 . The antenna coverage area of  claim 1 , wherein the remote unit is in optical communication and electrical communication with at least one interconnect unit.