KR102563534B1 - Communication node and operating method of communication node - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of operating a communication node transmitting a plurality of communication signals in a distributed antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention receives the plurality of communication signals transmitted from at least one base station, and controls the received plurality of communication signals. Acquiring first characteristic information, acquiring second characteristic information of at least one lower communication node from at least one lower communication node connected to the communication node, and obtaining the first characteristic information and the second characteristic information Based on the method, selecting and framing the plurality of communication signals.

Description

Communication node and operation method of communication node {COMMUNICATION NODE AND OPERATING METHOD OF COMMUNICATION NODE}

The present invention relates to a communication node and a method of operating the communication node, and more particularly, based on characteristic information of communication signals and characteristic information of a lower communication node of a communication node that has received the communication signals, by selecting the communication signals It relates to a communication node capable of framing and a method of operating the communication node.

A Distributed Antenna System (DAS) is a system capable of solving a problem of communication shadow area or high traffic concentration in a specific area by spatially distributing a plurality of antennas.

Distributed antenna systems are installed inside buildings, tunnels, subways, etc. to provide communication services even in sound areas where base station signals are difficult to reach. used

The distributed antenna system may receive various communication signals from a plurality of base stations, frame the received signals, and distribute and transmit the received signals to various locations.

A technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is a communication node capable of selecting and framing the communication signals based on characteristic information of communication signals and characteristic information of a lower communication node of a communication node receiving the communication signals, and an operation of the communication node is to provide a way

A method of operating a communication node transmitting a plurality of communication signals in a distributed antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention receives the plurality of communication signals transmitted from at least one base station, and transmits the plurality of communication signals transmitted from the received plurality of communication signals. Acquiring first characteristic information, acquiring second characteristic information of at least one lower communication node from at least one lower communication node connected to the communication node, and the first characteristic information and the second characteristic information Based on the, it may include the step of selecting and framing the plurality of communication signals.

In some embodiments, the obtaining of the first characteristic information of the plurality of communication signals may include monitoring the plurality of communication signals and obtaining the first characteristic information of the plurality of communication signals according to a monitoring result. there is.

In some embodiments, the first characteristic information may include at least one of frequency band information, mobile country code (MCC) information, and mobile network code (MNC) information of the plurality of communication signals.

In some embodiments, the obtaining of the second characteristic information may include receiving the second characteristic information stored in the at least one lower communication node from the at least one lower communication node.

In some embodiments, the second characteristic information may include at least one of a service frequency band, location information, altitude information, and belonging sector information of the at least one lower communication node.

In some embodiments, in the selecting and framing of the plurality of communication signals, a communication signal serviceable by the at least one lower communication node may be selected from among the plurality of communication signals and framed as one frame.

In some embodiments, in the selecting and framing of the plurality of communication signals, communication signals received from base stations providing communication services to the same sector among the plurality of communication signals may be selected and framed as one frame. there is.

In some embodiments, the operating method of the communication node may further include transmitting a frame generated as a result of selecting and framing the plurality of communication signals to at least two or more serially connected remote devices.

In some embodiments, the two or more remote devices may belong to the same sector.

A communication node transmitting a plurality of communication signals in a distributed antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention receives the plurality of communication signals transmitted from at least one base station, and a first characteristic of the plurality of communication signals received Obtain second characteristic information of the at least one lower communication node from a signal monitoring device for obtaining information and at least one lower communication node connected to the communication node, and based on the first characteristic information and the second characteristic information Thus, a framer for selecting and framing the plurality of communication signals may be included.

Methods and apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention select and frame the communication signals based on the characteristic information of communication signals and the characteristic information of the lower communication node of the communication node that has received the communication signals, thereby enabling communication serviceable by the lower communication node. signals can be transmitted effectively.

In order to more fully understand the drawings cited in the detailed description of the present invention, a brief description of each drawing is provided.
1 is a block diagram according to an embodiment of a distributed antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing some configurations of the headend device shown in FIG. 1 by way of example.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the headend coupler/splitter shown in FIG. 2 .
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a process according to an embodiment of framing a plurality of communication signals in the headend coupler/splitter shown in FIG. 3 .
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a process according to another embodiment of framing a plurality of communication signals in the headend combiner/splitter shown in FIG. 3 .
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a signal processing process according to an embodiment of the headend device and the remote device shown in FIG. 1 .
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a signal processing process according to another embodiment of the headend device and the remote device shown in FIG. 1 .
8 is a flowchart of a method of operating a communication node according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Since the technical idea of the present invention can be made with various changes and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention.

In describing the technical idea of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, numbers (eg, first, second, etc.) used in the description process of this specification are only identifiers for distinguishing one component from another component.

In addition, in this specification, when one component is referred to as “connected” or “connected” to another component, the one component may be directly connected or directly connected to the other component, but in particular Unless otherwise described, it should be understood that they may be connected or connected via another component in the middle.

In addition, terms such as "~ unit", "~ group", "~ character", and "~ module" described in this specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which includes a processor, a micro Processor (Micro Processor), Micro Controller, CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), APU (Accelerate Processor Unit), DSP (Drive Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc., or a combination of hardware and software, or may be implemented in a form combined with a memory storing data necessary for processing at least one function or operation. .

In addition, it is intended to make it clear that the classification of components in this specification is merely a classification for each main function in charge of each component. That is, two or more components to be described below may be combined into one component, or one component may be divided into two or more for each more subdivided function. In addition, each component to be described below may additionally perform some or all of the functions of other components in addition to its main function, and some of the main functions of each component may be performed by other components. Of course, it may be dedicated and performed by .

A distributed antenna system according to an embodiment according to the technical idea of the present invention is a coverage system for an in-building service that delivers voice communication and data communication with high quality and seamless access. In addition, it is a system for servicing analog and digital telephone systems serving in multiple bands with at least one antenna.

Distributed antenna system according to an embodiment according to the technical idea of the present invention improves the poor radio wave environment in the building, and the poor Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) and the total reception sensitivity of the mobile terminal, Ec/ It improves Io (chip energy/others interference) and provides mobile communication service to the corner of the building, allowing communication service users to freely make calls anywhere in the building.

A distributed antenna system according to an embodiment according to the technical idea of the present invention can support mobile communication standards used worldwide. For example, the distributed antenna system uses frequencies such as Very High Frequency (VHF), Ultra High Frequency (UHF), 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 2600 MHz bands, and FDD-type services. In addition, it can support a TDD-type service. In addition, the distributed antenna system is a typical analog mobile communication service (Advanced Mobile Phone Service, AMPS), digital time-division multiplexing access (TDMA), code division multiple access (Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA), Asynchronous CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A), It can support multiple mobile communication standards such as 5G.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the technical idea of the present invention will be described in detail in turn.

1 is a block diagram according to an embodiment of a distributed antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) 200 is communicatively connected to a plurality of base stations (Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), 100-1 to 100-n) and is a headend node. A headend device 210 constituting a headend node, a plurality of remote devices constituting a remote node and being connected to other remote nodes or disposed at each remote service location and communicatively connected to a user terminal (220a, 220b, 220c, 220d) and extension devices (230a, 230b) constituting an extension node.

Each of the headend device 210, the plurality of remote devices 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d, and the extension devices 230a and 230b may constitute a communication node for transmitting communication signals within the distributed antenna system. there is.

According to embodiments, the distributed antenna system 200 may be implemented as an analog distributed antenna system.

According to another embodiment, the distributed antenna system 200 may be implemented as a digital distributed antenna system, and in some cases, a mixed type (eg, some nodes perform analog processing and the other nodes perform digital processing). may be implemented.

According to another embodiment, the distributed antenna system 200 includes some configurations of the plurality of base stations 100-1 to 100-n or performs some functions of the plurality of base stations 100-1 to 100-n. can also be done

On the other hand, FIG. 1 shows an example of the topology of the distributed antenna system 200, and the distributed antenna system 200 is an installation area and application field (eg, in-building, subway) , Hospital, Stadium, etc.), various modifications are possible. For example, the number of headend devices 210, remote devices 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d, and extension devices 230a, 230b and the connection relationship between upper and lower ends may be different from those of FIG. 1 .

In this specification, 'upper' may refer to a side that receives and processes a communication signal relatively first based on the flow of communication signals, and 'lower' refers to a side that receives and processes a communication signal relatively later based on the flow of communication signals. It can mean the processing side. According to embodiments, directions of 'upper' and 'lower' may be different in downlink communication and uplink communication in which communication signals flow in opposite directions.

In the distributed antenna system 200, the extension devices 230a and 230b may be used when the number of branches of the headend device 210 is limited compared to the number of remote devices required to be installed.

To describe each node and its function in the distributed antenna system 200 in more detail, first, the headend device 210 can serve as an interface with the base station. In FIG. 1 , the headend device 210 is shown to be connected to a plurality of base stations 100-1 to 100-n, where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2.

According to an embodiment, the headend device 210 is implemented as a main headend device and a sub headend device and may be connected to a base station for each service frequency band or each sector of a specific operator. In some cases, the main headend device may be Coverage can also be supplemented by headend devices.

In general, since a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitted from a base station is a high power signal, the headend device 210 can attenuate such a high power RF signal into a signal with power suitable for processing by each node. there is. The headend device 210 may lower a high power RF signal for each frequency band or each sector to low power. The headend device 210 may combine a low-power RF signal and may serve to distribute the combined signal to the extension device 230a or the remote device 220a.

According to an embodiment, the headend device 210 may receive and process a digital format signal (eg, CPRI, OBSAI, ORI, etc.) from each of the plurality of base stations 100-1 to 100-n.

According to another embodiment, the headend device 210 may directly receive and process baseband signals from each of the plurality of base stations 100-1 to 100-n.

The detailed structure and operation of the headend device 210 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2 .

Each of the remote devices 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d may separate the received combined signal for each frequency band and perform signal processing such as amplification. Accordingly, each of the remote devices 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d may transmit a base station signal to a user terminal within its service coverage through a service antenna (not shown).

The remote device 220a and the remote device 220b may be connected through an RF cable or wireless communication, and a plurality of remote devices may be connected in a cascade structure as needed.

The extension device 230a may transfer the received combined signal to the remote device 220c connected to the extension device 230a.

The expansion device 230b is connected to one end of the remote device 220a and may receive a signal transmitted from the headend device 210 through the remote device 220a in downlink communication. At this time, the extension device 230b may transfer the received signal back to the remote device 220d connected to the rear end of the extension device 230b.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 1, the plurality of base stations 100-1 to 100-n and the headend device 210 are interconnected by wire, and the lower end of the headend device 210 connects the remote device 220a and the remote Except for the device 220b, it is shown as being connected to each other through an optical cable, but various other variations may be possible in a signal transport medium or communication method between nodes.

For example, between the headend device 210 and the extension device 230a, between the headend device 210 and some remote devices 220a, and between the extension devices 230a and 230b and some other remote devices 220c and 220d. At least one of them may be implemented in a manner that is connected through an RF cable, a twisted cable, a UTP cable, or the like in addition to an optical cable.

However, hereinafter, description will be made based on FIG. 1 . Therefore, in the distributed antenna system 200, the headend device 210, the remote devices 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d, and the extension devices 230a and 230b transmit and receive optical signals through electrical/optical conversion. It may include an optical transceiver module for inter-node connection through a single optical cable, and may include a Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) element.

The distributed antenna system 200 may be connected to an external management device (not shown) through a network, for example, a Network Management Server or Network Management System (NMS) 300, a Network Operation Center (NOC), and the like. Accordingly, the manager can remotely monitor the status and problems of each node of the distributed antenna system and remotely control the operation of each node.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing some configurations of the headend device shown in FIG. 1 by way of example.

Referring to FIG. 2, the headend device 210 includes first to nth base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n, where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2), a headend combiner/divider 212, and first to nth base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n. m headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m, where m is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) and a headend controller 214.

Each of the first to nth base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n may be connected to a corresponding base station among the first to nth base stations 100-1 to 100-n. However, it is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, at least two or more base station interfaces among the first to nth base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n include the first to nth base stations 100-1 to 100-n ) may be connected to any one of the base stations.

Each of the first to nth base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n may receive a downlink signal from a corresponding base station among the first to nth base stations 100-`1 to 100-n. Downlink signals received by each of the first to n th base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n may have different frequency bands.

Each of the first to n th base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n may adjust the power of the input downlink signal and output it to the headend combiner/divider 212. For example, each of the first to n-th base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n may reduce the power of an input downlink signal and transmit the power-reduced downlink signal to the headend combiner/splitter 212. can be printed out.

Each of the first to n th base station interfaces 211 - 1 to 211 - n may receive a plurality of combined uplink transmission signals from the headend combiner/splitter 212 . Here, the combined plurality of uplink transmission signals is a combination of uplink transmission signals output from the first to m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m described later by the headend combiner/splitter 212. may be a signal. Each of the uplink transmission signals is transmitted in different frequency bands received from user terminals by the remote devices 220c and 220d through the remote device 220a or extension device 230a directly connected to the headend device 210. may include uplink signals. Each of the first to nth base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n transmits an uplink signal corresponding to a preset frequency band (eg, a frequency band of an input downlink signal) from a plurality of combined uplink transmission signals. can be extracted.

Each of the first to n th base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n may adjust the power of the extracted uplink signal and output it to a corresponding base station. For example, each of the first to n th base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n may increase the power of the extracted uplink signal and output the increased power uplink signal to the corresponding base station. .

The headend combiner/splitter 212 may combine downlink signals output from the first to nth base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n. Hereinafter, the combined downlink signals are referred to as downlink transmission signals. The headend coupler/splitter 212 may distribute the downlink transmission signal to the first to m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m.

The headend combiner/splitter 212 may generate a downlink transmission signal by selecting downlink signals and framing them into one frame in the process of combining the downlink signals. At this time, the headend combiner/distributor 212 transmits the first characteristic information of the downlink signals and lower communication nodes (eg, remote devices 220a to 220d) or extension devices 230a and 230b of the headend device 210. Based on the second characteristic information of ), downlink signals may be selected and framed as one frame.

According to an embodiment, the first characteristic information of communication signals (eg, downlink signals) is at least one of frequency band information, mobile country code (MCC) information, and mobile network code (MNC) information of communication signals. can include

According to an embodiment, the second characteristic information of the lower communication nodes may include at least one of service frequency bands, location information, and belonging sector information of the lower communication nodes.

A detailed structure of the headend coupler/divider 212 and a detailed framing process of the headend combiner/divider 212 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 .

The headend coupler/splitter 212 may combine the uplink transmission signals output from the first to m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m. The headend combiner/splitter 212 may distribute the combined uplink transmission signals to the first to nth base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n.

In this specification, "communication signals" may mean downlink signals or uplink signals.

Depending on the embodiment, the headend combiner/splitter 212, for example, transmits an extension control signal, a remote control signal, a status information request signal, and a delay measurement signal transmitted from the headend controller 214 to the downlink signals. may be combined together to generate the downlink transmission signal. Here, the extension control signal may be a signal for controlling the extension devices 230a and 230b, and the remote control signal may be a signal for controlling the remote devices 220a to 220d. The status information request signal may be a signal for requesting information about downlink power, uplink power, and whether or not an abnormality has occurred with respect to the extension devices 230a and 230b or the remote devices 220a to 220d. The delay measurement signal may be a signal for measuring a delay between the headend device 210 and the extension devices 230a and 230b or between the headend device 210 and the remote devices 220a to 220d.

Depending on the embodiment, the headend coupler/splitter 212 may separate a status information signal, a delay response signal, etc. transmitted from the extension devices 230a and 230b or the remote devices 220a to 220d from the uplink transmission signals. The separated state information signal and delay response signal may be transmitted to the headend controller 214 . Here, the state information signal and the delay response signal may be signals transmitted by the extension devices 230a and 230b or the remote devices 220a to 220d in response to the state information request signal and the delay measurement signal, respectively.

The headend combiner/splitter 212 may include, for example, a signal conversion device such as a modem, and through the signal conversion device, the above-described predetermined control signal and the like are combined with the downlink signals to form an extension device. (230a, 230b) and / or remote devices (220a ~ 220d) can be processed to be transmitted, and state information signals from the extension devices (230a, 230b) and / or remote devices (220a ~ 220d) are sent to the headend control unit (214).

Each of the first to m th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m may generate a downlink optical signal by electro-optically converting an input downlink transmission signal. Each of the first to m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m transmits the generated downlink optical signal to the expansion devices 230a and 230b or the remote devices 220a to 220d through the corresponding optical transmission medium. can transmit

Each of the first to m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m receive an uplink optical signal from the expansion devices 230a and 230b or the remote devices 220a to 220d through a corresponding optical transmission medium. can Each of the first to m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m may photoelectrically convert the input uplink optical signal and restore the uplink transmission signal. Each of the first to m th headend optical transceivers 213 - 1 to 213 - m may output the restored uplink transmission signal to the headend coupler/splitter 212 .

According to the embodiment, at least one of the first to m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m includes, for example, the expansion control signal transmitted from the headend control unit 214, the remote control signal, The downlink optical signal may be generated by electro-optically converting the state information request signal and the delay measurement signal together with the input downlink transmission signal.

Alternatively, at least one of the first to m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m photoelectrically converts the input uplink optical signal, and then converts the input uplink optical signal to the extension device 230a or 230b or the remote device 220a to 220d. The state information signal, the delay response signal, etc. transmitted from ) may be separated from the uplink transmission signal, and the separated state information signal, the delay response signal, etc. may be transmitted to the headend controller 214 .

At least one of the first to m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m may include a signal conversion device such as a modem, and the above-described predetermined control is performed using the signal conversion device. Signals and the like can be electrically converted together with the downlink transmission signal and processed to be transmitted to the extension devices 230a and 230b and/or the remote devices 220a to 220d, and the extension devices 230a and 230b and/or the remote devices Status information signals and the like from 220a-220d may be processed to be used by the headend controller 214.

According to an embodiment, the first to m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m may transmit lower communication nodes (eg, expansion devices 230a and 230b) of the headend device 210 based on downlink communication. ) or the remote devices 220a to 220d), the second characteristic information of the lower communication nodes (eg, the extension devices 230a and 230b or the remote devices 220a to 220d) may be received.

The headend controller 214 controls at least one of the first to nth base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n and the first to mth headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m and/or can be monitored.

The headend controller 214 may receive a headend control signal from an external device, for example, the NMS 300 communicatively connected through a network, a manager's terminal, and the like, and in response to the headend control signal, the first At least one of the through n-th base station interfaces 211-1 through 211-n and the first through m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 through 213-m may be controlled and/or monitored. Here, the link between the headend controller 214 and the external device may be, for example, an Ethernet link, but the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto and any type of link may be used.

The headend controller 214 provides status information on at least one of the first to nth base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n and the first to mth headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m. A signal may be generated, and the generated status information signal may be transmitted to the external device.

The headend controller 214 combines predetermined signals generated by itself or transmitted from the external device, for example, the above-described extension control signal, remote control signal, status information request signal, delay measurement signal, etc. into the headend. The predetermined signals may be transmitted to the splitter 212 or the first to m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m so that the predetermined signals are transmitted to the extension device 230a and/or the remote device 220a. .

The headend controller 214 connects the extension devices 230a and 230b and/or the remote device 220a from the headend coupler/splitter 212 or the first to m-th headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m. ~ 220d) of state information signal, delay response signal, etc. may be received. The headend controller 214 may analyze a state of a corresponding device based on the transmitted signals, measure a delay, and the like. Meanwhile, the headend controller 214 may transmit status information signals transmitted from the expansion devices 230a and 230b and/or the remote devices 220a to 220d to the external device through the above-described Ethernet link.

The headend controller 214 may include, for example, a signal conversion device such as a modem, and may process the above-described control signal through the signal conversion device so that the corresponding component can use it or the headend controller 214 can use it. there is.

The headend controller 214 includes the first to nth base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n, the headend coupler/splitter 212, and the first to mth headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m ), the first characteristic information (eg, frequency spectrum, etc.) of the input and/or output signals may be monitored for at least one of the following. In this case, the headend controller 214 may have a configuration for spectrum analysis. However, it goes without saying that the configuration for spectrum analysis may be implemented separately from the headend controller 214 (eg, a signal monitoring device (410 in FIG. 3) in the headend coupler/splitter 212). The headend controller 214 adjusts the power of the downlink signals based on the result of monitoring the frequency spectrum of the downlink signals input to the first to nth base station interfaces 211-1 to 211-n, so that the headend Limited transmission resources between the device 210 and the remote devices 220a to 220d may be allocated to each of the downlink signals.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the headend coupler/splitter shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a process according to an embodiment of framing a plurality of communication signals in the headend coupler/splitter shown in FIG. 3 . FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a process according to another embodiment of framing a plurality of communication signals in the headend combiner/splitter shown in FIG. 3 .

2 and 3 , the headend combiner/splitter 212 may include a signal monitoring device 410, a framer 412, a frame setter 414, and a signal splitter 416. .

The signal monitoring device 410 receives a plurality of communication signals (eg, downlink signals) transmitted from the base station, and receives first characteristic information (eg, frequency band, MCC (Mobile Mobile) of each of the plurality of communication signals received. Country Code), MNC (Mobile Network Code), etc.) can be monitored.

According to an embodiment, the headend controller 214 provided outside the headend combiner/distributor 212 may replace the function of the signal monitoring device 410 and operate as a signal monitoring device, and the headend controller 214 ) may be interpreted as a 'signal monitoring device' referred to in this specification. In this case, the headend combiner/splitter 212 may not include the signal monitoring device 410.

According to an embodiment, the headend combiner/splitter 212 may store first characteristic information of a plurality of communication signals (eg, downlink signals) transmitted from the base station as a preset value. According to an embodiment, the headend combiner/distributor 212 may receive the first characteristic information of a preset value from an external unit, or may store the first characteristic information in a memory (not shown) in the headend combiner/distributor 212. may be

The framer 412 receives first characteristic information of a plurality of communication signals (eg, downlink signals) from the signal monitoring device 410 and transmits information of the headend device 210 through the signal splitter 416. The second characteristic information of lower communication nodes (eg, remote devices 220a to 220d or extension devices 230a and 230b) may be received.

The framer 412 generates a plurality of communication signals based on first characteristic information of a plurality of communication signals (eg, downlink signals) and second characteristic information of lower communication nodes (eg, remote devices 220a to 220d). Communication signals (eg, downlink signals) may be selected and framed.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the framer 412 transmits some of the communication signals (SIGNAL#1, SIGNAL#2, SIGNAL#3, SIGNAL#5, SIGNAL#L) can be selected and only the selected communication signals can be framed as one frame.

Depending on the embodiment, some of the communication signals (SIGNAL#1, SIGNAL#2, SIGNAL#3, SIGNAL#5, and SIGNAL#L) may be selected from only communication signals serviceable by the lower communication node receiving the frame. can

Depending on the embodiment, the framer 412 may frame some of the selected communication signals as one frame within the size of the entire transmission frame, and at this time, the order of communication signals within the transmission frame is sequentially or randomly arranged. It can be.

According to another embodiment, the framer 412 may include some communication signals selected according to a predetermined frame structure in band slots corresponding to respective frequency bands of the communication signals and frame them as one frame.

Referring to FIG. 5 together, in a preset frame structure, a frame may include a plurality of band slots (BAND A to BANDH) each assigned to a predetermined frequency band.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of band slots BAND A to BANDH may be allocated to different frequency bands.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of band slots (BAND A to BAND H) are assigned consecutive frequency bands (eg, the first band slot (BAND A) is assigned a band of 600 MHz to 700 MHz, and the second band slot (BAND A) is assigned a band of 600 MHz to 700 MHz). B) may be assigned a band of 700 MHz to 800 MHz), and an intermittent frequency band is assigned (eg, a band of 600 MHz to 700 MHz is assigned to the first band slot (BAND A) and a band of 750 MHz is allocated to the second band slot (BAND B)) ~850 MHz band may be allocated.

According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of band slots (BAND A to BANDH) is a plurality of sub-band slots allocated to each of the detailed frequency bands within the frequency band corresponding to each of the plurality of band slots (BAND A to BANDH). (SUB BAND #1 to SUB BAND #K).

For example, if the frequency allocated to the eighth band slot (BAND H) is 700 MHz to 800 MHz, the plurality of sub-band slots (SUB BAND #1 to SUB BAND #K) belonging to the eighth band slot (BNAD H) are 700 MHz. Detailed frequency bands (eg, 710 MHz to 720 MHz, 730 MHz to 740 MHz, etc.) within ~800 MHz may be allocated respectively.

The framer 412 assigns selected communication signals (e.g., SIGNAL#1, SIGNAL#2, and SIGNAL#L) to band slots (eg, SIGNAL#1, SIGNAL#2, and SIGNAL#L) corresponding to the frequency bands of the communication signals according to the predetermined frame structure. For example, BAND H) or sub-band slots (eg, SUB BAND#1, SUB BAND#K, and SUB BAND#2 in BAND H) may be included in one frame to be framed.

According to an embodiment, the framer 412 converts some of the selected communication signals (eg, SIGNAL#1, SIGNAL#2, and SIGNAL#L) to the communication signals (eg, SIGNAL#1, SIGNAL#2, and SIGNAL#). L) One frame may be generated by including band slots or sub-band slots to which each frequency band belongs and filling band slots or sub-band slots in which empty spaces remain with default values.

The framer 412 firstly selects a communication signal not included in a frame among some selected communication signals (eg, SIGNAL#1, SIGNAL#2, and SIGNAL#L) and secondarily sets the position and position according to a predetermined frame structure. can be framed as one frame by including it in another location.

According to an embodiment, when the frequency bands of the selected communication signals (eg, SIGNAL #1, SIGNAL #2, and SIGNAL #L) overlap and the space of a specific band slot or a specific sub-band slot is insufficient, at least some Communication signals of may not be included in the frame during the framing process.

According to another embodiment, the frequency band of at least some communication signals among the selected communication signals (eg, SIGNAL#1, SIGNAL#2, and SIGNAL#L) is the frequency band of band slots according to a preset frame structure. If out of range, at least some communication signals may not be included in the frame during the framing process.

According to an embodiment, when the framer 412 includes a communication signal at a position different from a position according to a predetermined frame structure, the framer 412 analyzes a band slot or sub-band slot in which space remains after the primary framing process to determine the space The communication signal may be included in the remaining band slot or sub-band slot.

According to an embodiment, when the framer 412 includes a communication signal at a location different from a location according to a preset frame structure, the band slot in the preset frame structure remains the same, but only the sub-band slot is changed for communication. Signals can be included at different locations within the frame.

According to an embodiment, when the framer 412 includes a communication signal at a position different from a position according to a predetermined frame structure, the framer 412 changes the band slot itself in the predetermined frame structure to include the communication signal at a different position within the frame. can make it

Returning to FIG. 3 , the frame setter 414 may reset a preset frame structure according to a result of monitoring frequency bands of each of a plurality of communication signals by the signal monitoring device 410 .

Depending on the embodiment, the frame setter 414 determines the frequency at which reception of communication signals is repeated for each frequency band and the amount of data of the received communication signals based on each frequency band of a plurality of communication signals received during a predetermined time. can be analyzed.

The frame setter 414 provides a relatively large space within the frame structure for a frequency band in which the reception of communication signals is relatively high for each frequency band or the amount of data of the received communication signal is relatively large according to the analysis result. of band slots can be allocated. In this case, band slots having different sizes may be allocated for each frequency band.

Depending on the embodiment, the frame setter 414 determines the size of each frequency band corresponding to the location information based on location information where the communication node (eg, the headend device 210) or the distributed antenna system 200 is installed. Each of a plurality of band slots (BAND A to BAND H) and a plurality of sub-band slots (SUB BAND #1 to SUB BAND #K) may be allocated as .

For example, when the headend device 210 or the distributed antenna system 200 is installed in the United States, a plurality of band slots (BAND A to BAND H) and a plurality of band slots (BAND A to BAND H) based on frequency bands of communication operators serviced in the United States The size of each of the sub-band slots (SUB BAND #1 to SUB BAND #K) may be allocated.

Depending on the embodiment, the frame setter 414 is based on the frequency at which communication signals are rearranged (included in a position different from a position according to a predetermined frame structure) within a frame during the framing process by the framer 412, The preset frame structure may be reset.

Depending on the embodiment, the frame setter 414 is based on the frequency at which communication signals are rearranged (included in a position different from a position according to a predetermined frame structure) within a frame during the framing process by the framer 412, An optimal frame structure can also be learned.

Depending on the embodiment, the frame setter 414 is transmitted through the signal splitter 416 to the second characteristic information of lower communication nodes (eg, remote devices 220a to 220d or extension devices 230a and 230b). Based on this, the frame structure may be reset. At this time, the frame setter 414 may reset the frame structure based on the frequency band of communication signals serviced by lower communication nodes (eg, remote devices 220a to 220d or extension devices 230a and 230b). there is.

The signal splitter 416 may distribute the selected communication signals framed by the framer 412 to a plurality of headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m.

According to an embodiment, the framer 412 selects different communication signals according to the second characteristic information of lower communication nodes connected to the plurality of headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m to generate a plurality of communication frames. can do. At this time, the signal splitter 416 may distribute different communication frames to each of the plurality of headend optical transceivers 213-1 to 213-m.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a signal processing process according to an embodiment of the headend device and the remote device shown in FIG. 1 .

6 shows a case in which four base stations 100-1 and two remote devices 220-1 and 220-2 are connected to the headend device 210 for convenience of description, but in this structure It is not limited.

1 and 6, each of the remote devices 220-1 and 220-2 includes a remote identification information manager 221-1 and 221-2, and a signal processor/distributor 222-1 and 222-2. , and a plurality of signal amplifiers 223-1A to 223-1D and 223-2A to 223-2D.

The remote identification information managers 221-1 and 221-2 may store and manage identification information of each of the remote devices 220-1 and 220-2, that is, second characteristic information.

Depending on an embodiment, the second characteristic information may include at least one of identification information (ID) of the corresponding device, service frequency band, location information, altitude information, and belonging sector information.

According to an embodiment, the remote identification information managers 221-1 and 221-2 are GPS modules for obtaining second characteristic information of each of the remote devices 220-1 and 220-2 (when acquiring GPS information). ), and an altimeter (when height, floor, or altitude information is acquired).

According to an embodiment, the remote identification information managers 221-1 and 221-2 set preset information such as identification information (ID) of each of the remote devices 220-1 and 220-2, service frequency band, and belonging sector information. information can be stored.

The remote identification information managers 221-1 and 221-2 transmit the second characteristic information of each of the remote devices 220-1 and 220-2 to the headend through the signal processing/distributor 222-1 and 222-2. device 210.

According to an embodiment, when a connected remote device is disconnected or a new remote device is connected, the remote devices whose connection structures have been changed accordingly transmit the second characteristic information to the signal processors/distributors 222-1 and 222. It can be transmitted to the headend device 210 through -2).

The signal processors/distributors 222-1 and 222-2 process or distribute the communication signals received from the headend device 210 by each of the remote devices 220-1 and 220-2, 1A to 223-1D, 223-2A to 223-2D), or process or distribute communication signals received from user terminals (not shown) and transmit them to the headend device 210 .

In FIG. 6, for convenience of description, configurations used for downlink communication in each of the remote devices 220-1 and 220-2 are mainly shown, but configurations used for uplink communication may be further included.

The signal amplifiers 223-1A to 223-1D and 223-2A to 223-2D transfer communication signals transmitted through the signal processors/distributors 222-1 and 222-2 to user terminals (not shown) through antennas. ) can be sent to

Looking at the processing and transmission process of communication signals in downlink communication, the headend device 210 transmits a plurality of communication signals A, B, C, and D from a plurality of base stations 100-1 to 100-4. can receive

The headend device 210 receives a plurality of communication signals A, B, C, and D transmitted from a plurality of base stations 100-1 to 100-4, and receives a plurality of communication signals A , B, C, D) of the first characteristic information (eg, frequency band information, MCC information, MNC information, etc.) may be obtained.

The headend device 210 connects the second communication nodes (eg, 220-1 and 220-2) to the second communication nodes (eg, 220-1 and 220-2) connected to the headend device 210. Characteristic information (eg, service frequency band, location information, altitude information, and belonging sector information) may be obtained.

The headend device 210 may select and frame a plurality of communication signals A, B, C, and D based on the acquired first and second characteristic information.

According to an embodiment, the headend device 210 transmits a plurality of communication signals A, B, C, and D based on the first characteristic information and the second characteristic information of the first remote device 220-1. All of them may be selected and generated as one frame, and the generated frame may be transmitted to the first remote device 220-1. At this time, the first remote device 220-1 amplifies each of the plurality of communication signals A, B, C, and D in each of the signal amplifiers 223-1A to 223-1D to generate different frequency bands. Communication signals can be transmitted to the user terminal through a service antenna that transmits and receives them.

According to an embodiment, the headend device 210 selects among a plurality of communication signals A, B, C, and D based on the first characteristic information and the second characteristic information of the second remote device 220-2. Some of the communication signals A, B, and D may be selected and generated as one frame, and the generated frame may be transmitted to the second remote device 220-2. At this time, the second remote device 220-2 amplifies each of the plurality of communication signals A, B, and D in each of the signal amplifiers 223-2A to 223-2D to communicate signals of different frequency bands. It can be transmitted to the user terminal through a service antenna that transmits and receives.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a signal processing process according to another embodiment of the headend device and the remote device shown in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7 , a plurality of base stations may be grouped for various purposes to form a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) hotel.

The first base station hotel (BTSH1) may include four base stations (100-1A to 100-1D), and the second base station hotel (BTSH2) may include four base stations (100-2A to 100-2D). .

Each of the base stations 100-1A to 100-1D included in the first base station hotel (BTSH1) transmits communication signals A1, B1, C1, and D1 to the headend device 210, and the second base station hotel ( Each of the base stations 100 - 2A to 100 - 2D included in BTSH2 may transmit communication signals A2 , B2 , C2 , and D2 to the headend device 210 .

The plurality of remote devices 220-1A, 220-1B, 220-2A, and 220-2B may have a structure in which remote devices providing communication services to the same sector are connected in series.

According to an embodiment, the remote devices 220-1A and 220-1B providing communication services to the first sector SEC1 are serially connected to each other, and the remote devices providing communication services to the second sector SEC2 ( 220-2A, 220-2B) may be connected in series with each other.

The headend device 210 receives second characteristic information from each of the plurality of remote devices 220-1A, 220-1B, 220-2A, and 220-2B, and checks a path through which the second characteristic information is received. The plurality of remote devices 220-1A, 220-1B, 220-2A, and 220-2B may be grouped by sector. For example, the remote devices 220-1A and 220-1B receiving the second characteristic information through the same path are grouped into one group, and the remote devices 220-2A receiving the second characteristic information through the same path are grouped into one group. 220-2B) can be grouped into another group.

According to an embodiment, the headend device 210 uses first characteristic information (eg, MMC information or MNC information) of the communication signals A1, B1, C1, D1, A2, B2, C2, and D2 to determine the sector Classify by category, check the sector requiring framing by referring to the second characteristic information (eg, belonging sector information) of the plurality of remote devices 220-1A, 220-1B, 220-2A, and 220-2B, and perform framing. can do.

For example, the headend device 210 frames the communication signals A1, B1, C1, and D1 into one frame and transmits at least two serially connected remote devices 220-1A, belonging to the first sector SEC1. 220-1B) may transmit the generated frame. For example, the headend device 210 frames the communication signals A2, B2, C2, and D2 into one frame and transmits at least two serially connected remote devices 220-2A, belonging to the second sector SEC2. The generated frame may be transmitted to the remote devices 220-2A and 220-2B belonging to 220-2B.

8 is a flowchart of a method of operating a communication node according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 8, a communication node (eg, headend device 210) may receive a plurality of communication signals transmitted from at least one base station 100-1 to 100-n (S801). .

The communication node (eg, the headend device 210) may acquire first characteristic information of a plurality of received communication signals (S802).

Depending on the embodiment, the communication node (eg, the headend device 210) may directly analyze and obtain first characteristic information of a plurality of communication signals, or may use first characteristic information of a plurality of communication signals stored in advance. there is.

The communication node (eg, the headend device 210) includes at least one lower communication node (eg, remote devices 220a to 220d) or expansion devices 230a and 230b connected to the communication node (eg, the headend device 210). )), second characteristic information of at least one lower communication node (eg, remote devices 220a to 220d or extension devices 230a and 230b) may be obtained (S803).

Depending on the embodiment, at least one lower communication node (eg, remote devices 220a to 220d or extension devices 230a and 230b) is connected when a change occurs in a connection state (disconnection of the connection state or new connection). The lower communication node whose status has changed may transmit the second characteristic information to the upper communication node (eg, the headend device 210).

The communication node (eg, the headend device 210) may select and frame a plurality of communication signals based on the first characteristic information and the second characteristic information (S804).

The communication node (eg, the headend device 210) may transmit the frame generated in step S804 through a corresponding communication path. A communication node (eg, the headend device 210) may transmit a frame including different communication signals for each of several communication paths connected to the communication node (eg, the headend device 210).

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are made by those skilled in the art within the technical spirit and scope of the present invention. this is possible

100-1~100-n: base station
200: distributed antenna system
210: headend device
220a~220d: Remote device
230a, 230b: extension device
300: Network Management Server (NMS)

Claims (10)

A method of operating a communication node transmitting a plurality of communication signals in a distributed antenna system,
receiving the plurality of communication signals transmitted from at least one base station, and acquiring first characteristic information of the plurality of received communication signals;
obtaining, from at least one lower communication node connected to the communication node, second characteristic information of the at least one lower communication node; and
and selecting and framing the plurality of communication signals based on the first characteristic information and the second characteristic information.
According to claim 1,
Obtaining the first characteristic information of the plurality of communication signals,
Monitoring the plurality of communication signals, and obtaining the first characteristic information of the plurality of communication signals according to a monitoring result, the operating method of the communication node.
According to claim 2,
The first characteristic information,
A method of operating a communication node comprising at least one of frequency band information, MCC (Mobile Country Code) information, and MNC (Mobile Network Code) information of the plurality of communication signals.
According to claim 1,
Obtaining the second characteristic information,
and receiving the second characteristic information stored in the at least one lower communication node from the at least one lower communication node.
According to claim 4,
The second characteristic information,
A method of operating a communication node, including at least one of a service frequency band, location information, altitude information, and belonging sector information of the at least one lower communication node.
According to claim 1,
The step of selecting and framing the plurality of communication signals,
A method of operating a communication node, wherein a communication signal capable of being serviced by the at least one lower communication node is selected from among the plurality of communication signals and framed as one frame.
According to claim 1,
The step of selecting and framing the plurality of communication signals,
A method of operating a communication node in which communication signals received from base stations providing communication services to the same sector are selected from among the plurality of communication signals and framed as one frame.
According to claim 1,
The operation method of the communication node,
The method of operating a communication node further comprising the step of transmitting a frame generated according to a result of selecting and framing the plurality of communication signals to at least two or more remote devices connected in series.
According to claim 8,
The at least two or more remote devices,
A method of operation of communication nodes belonging to the same sector as each other.
In a communication node that transmits a plurality of communication signals in a distributed antenna system,
a signal monitoring device that receives the plurality of communication signals transmitted from at least one base station and obtains first characteristic information of the plurality of received communication signals; and
Obtain second characteristic information of the at least one lower communication node from at least one lower communication node connected to the communication node, and transmit the plurality of communication signals based on the first characteristic information and the second characteristic information. A communication node comprising a framer that selects and frames.

Images