Cellular communications system with centralized base stations and distributed antenna units

摘要

A microcellular communications network has multiple base-station units all at a common location. Each unit has all-digital transmitters and receivers coupled by fiber optic cable to individual remote locations each having power amplifiers and diversity receivers which convert the RF signals directly between analog RF and digital signals in the RF band at the remote locations. The system includes filtering, framing, and multiplexing of multiple channels. The system also provides passive handoff and passive switching. The system may be deployed in two different stages.