Patent ID: 8693342
Filing Date: 2014-04-08
Classification: H04B,H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A communication system, comprising: a first master host unit configured to communicate first wireless spectrum with a first service provider interface using a first 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 configured to communicate a first digitized spectrum in first N-bit words over a first digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links; wherein the first master host unit is further configured to convert between the first set of bands of analog spectrum and the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum; a first hybrid expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by the first digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and configured to communicate the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first master host unit across the first digital communication link, the first hybrid expansion unit further configured to convert between the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a second 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 configured to communicate the second 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 configured to communicate the second set of bands of analog spectrum across the first analog communication link, the first analog remote antenna unit further configured to communicate first wireless signals over a first air interface using a first antenna; a first switch positioned in a first data path between the first service provider interface and the first antenna, wherein the first switch is selected between a transmit path and a receive path in response to a first switching control signal; and wherein at least one of: at least one of the first master host unit, the first hybrid expansion unit, and the first analog remote antenna unit is further configured to receive the switching control signal from an external source external to the communication system; and at least one of the first master host unit, the first hybrid expansion unit, and the first analog remote antenna unit further includes a first switch signal controller that generates the first switching control signal.