Patent ID: 8462683
Filing Date: 2013-06-11
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A communication system for distributing a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) signal having a first MIMO path and a second MIMO path, comprising: a first master host unit adapted to communicate the first MIMO path with a first service provider interface using a first set of bands of analog spectrum, the first master host unit further adapted to communicate the second MIMO path with a second service provider interface using a second set of bands of analog spectrum; a plurality of digital communication links coupled to the first master host unit, wherein the first master host unit is further adapted to communicate the first MIMO path over the plurality of digital communication links using first N-bit words of digitized spectrum, wherein the first master host unit is further adapted to communicate the second MIMO path over the plurality of digital communication links using second N-bit words of digitized spectrum; wherein the first master host unit is further adapted to convert the first MIMO path between the first set of bands of analog spectrum and the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum; wherein the first master host unit is further adapted to convert the second MIMO path between the second set of bands of analog spectrum and the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum; a first hybrid expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by a first digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate the first MIMO path using the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum and the second MIMO path using the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first master host unit across the first digital communication link, the first hybrid expansion unit further adapted to convert the first MIMO path between the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a third set of bands of analog spectrum, the first hybrid expansion unit further adapted to convert the second MIMO path between the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum; a first analog communication link coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit, wherein the first hybrid expansion unit is further adapted to communicate the first MIMO path using the third set of bands of analog spectrum and the second MIMO path using the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum across the first analog communication link; a first analog remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit by the first analog communication link and adapted to communicate the first MIMO path using the third set of bands of analog spectrum and the second MIMO path using the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum with the first hybrid expansion unit across the first analog communication link, the first analog remote antenna unit further adapted to communicate the first MIMO path using first wireless signals over a first air interface using a first antenna, and the first analog remote antenna unit further adapted to communicate the second MIMO path using second wireless signals over a second air interface using a second antenna; and wherein the first MIMO path between the first master host unit and the first antenna is distinct from the second MIMO path between the first master host unit and the second antenna.