JP2019050518A - Relay device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a relay device capable of suppressing data loss and collision caused by a difference in distance from each radio base station. SOLUTION: A relay device receives radio waves related to a first signal sent to a terminal by each of a plurality of base stations, and the plurality of base stations of radio waves related to a second signal sent by the terminal. Part or all of the second period, which is a period in which each of the start and end of the period determined that the first signal is not received is delayed by a predetermined time. The first control signal, which is a control signal for designating the third period, is output, and the radio wave related to the first signal is emitted toward the terminal and the radio wave related to the second signal emitted by the terminal. The period for receiving the fourth radio wave by switching the reception of the radio wave is set to the third period by the first control signal. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for relaying information performed between a plurality of communication apparatuses.

  In the case of configuring a multicarrier DAS in a TDD radio system, a method of newly installing a dedicated radio base station is disclosed (see Patent Document 1). Here, TDD is an abbreviation for Time Division Duplex. Also, DAS is an abbreviation of Distributed Antenna System.

  However, when a dedicated wireless base station is newly installed, there are problems such as the need for installation cost and securing of the installation place of the wireless base station. In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to divert a general repeater.

JP, 2016-127384, A

  However, when a general repeater is used, the difference in distance between the repeater and each wireless base station causes a difference in delay time, so the timing at which transmission and reception should be performed differs for each base station. Therefore, when general repeaters are used, loss due to data collision may occur.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a relay apparatus capable of suppressing a loss due to a data loss collision which occurs due to a difference in distance from each wireless base station.

  The relay apparatus according to the present invention receives the first radio wave, which is a radio wave related to the first signal sent by each of the plurality of base stations to the terminal, and the radio wave related to the second signal sent by the terminal. Release of a second radio wave toward at least one of the plurality of base stations, a first communication unit, and start of a first period which is a period determined that there is no reception of the first signal And a control unit that outputs a first control signal that is a control signal that specifies a third period that is a part or all of a second period that is a period obtained by delaying each of the first and second ends by a predetermined time; Switching between the emission toward the terminal of the third radio wave, which is the radio wave concerned, and the reception of the fourth radio wave which is the radio wave related to the second signal emitted by the terminal, the fourth radio wave The period for receiving is controlled by the first control signal, the third period Set to includes a second communication unit.

  The relay apparatus of the present invention can suppress the loss due to the collision of data generated due to the difference in distance from each radio base station.

It is a conceptual diagram showing the example of composition of the communications system which can apply DAS (Distributed Antenna System) of a first embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram showing the example of composition of the repeater of a first embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram showing the structural example of the parent machine of 1st embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram showing the example of composition of the photoelectric conversion part of a parent machine. It is a conceptual diagram showing the example of composition of a child machine. It is a conceptual diagram showing the example of composition of the photoelectric conversion part of a child machine. It is a conceptual diagram showing the example of composition of a Duplexer part. It is a figure showing the relationship between each sub-frame, and the timing of the switching process of DL (Down Link) period in UL and each child device, and UL (Up Link) period. It is a conceptual diagram showing the structural example of the communication system of 2nd embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram showing the example of a structure of the repeater of 2nd embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram showing the structural example of the parent machine of 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the minimum composition of the relay device of an embodiment.

First Embodiment
The first embodiment is an embodiment related to DAS (Distributed Antenna System) in which a parent device includes a filter unit that separates DL signals according to a frequency band. In the following description, the flow of signals from each base station to each terminal will be referred to as "DL". DL is an abbreviation of Down Link. Also, the flow of signals from each terminal to each base station is referred to as "UL". UL is an abbreviation of Up Link.
[Configuration and operation]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a communication system 900, which is an example of a communication system to which the DAS of the first embodiment can be applied.

  The communication system 900 includes base stations 101 to 10Z which are Z base stations, a DAS 300 which is an example of the DAS of the first embodiment, and a terminal group 551 composed of a plurality of communication terminals. Hereinafter, each of the base stations 101 to 10Z will be referred to as "each base station".

  The frequency bands of carriers used by the respective base stations for communication (UL and DL) are different from each other. In this embodiment, it is assumed that radio waves directed to the DAS 300 are not simultaneously transmitted from the plurality of base stations to the DAS 300.

  The DAS 300 includes a repeater 201, a master unit 301, N slave units 401 to 40N, and N antennas 501 to 50N.

  The repeater 201 is a first communication unit included in the DAS 300. A combination of each slave and each corresponding antenna is a second communication unit provided in the DAS 300.

  The repeater 201 converts a DL radio wave that has reached an antenna (not shown) included in the repeater 201 into a DL electrical signal. Then, the repeater 201 performs predetermined processing on the DL electrical signal to generate the processed DL electrical signal. Then, the repeater 201 sends the DL electrical signal after processing to the parent device 301.

  The repeater 201 performs predetermined processing only on the timing of UL specified by the parent device 301 with respect to the UL electrical signal sent by the parent device, and converts the signal into radio waves. The repeater 201 emits the radio wave to the surrounding radio space. The radio wave is assumed to reach the base stations 101 to 10Z.

  The parent device 301 separates the DL electrical signal sent from the repeater 201 for each frequency band. The frequency band is a frequency band assigned to communication performed by each base station.

  Master device 301 determines, for each frequency band, whether a DL electrical signal is received or not. In the determination result, the influence of the distance delay occurring between each base station and the DAS 300 is reflected. The said distance delay is a delay of the arrival time of the radio wave which arises by the difference in distance of each base station and DAS300.

  Then, parent device 301 is a control signal instructing to switch between the DL period and the UL period in repeater 201 based on the signal indicating the determination result of whether or not the DL electric signal is received for each frequency band. 2. Send a control signal to the repeater 201.

  The second control signal includes, for example, a control signal Sd1 indicating that the DL period has come and a control signal Su1 indicating the UL period. In this case, the repeater 201 does not output the UL radio wave by sending the control signal Sd1 from the parent device 301. The repeater 201 also outputs a UL radio wave by sending the control signal Su1 from the parent device 301. Repeater 201 repeats the same operation alternately.

  The master unit 301 is also a control signal for specifying a DL period or a UL period in each of the slave units 401 to 40N (each slave unit) based on the determination result whether or not the DL signal for each frequency band is received. Send a certain first signal to each handset.

  The first control signal includes, for example, a control signal Sd2 indicating that it is a DL period and a control signal Su2 indicating that it is an UL period. Each of control signals Sd2 and Su2 is sent to each child device at a timing delayed by the time (processing delay) required for processing in parent device 301 and each child device at the timing of sending each of control signals Sd1 and Su1 described above. Be done.

  Each slave unit sends a UL electrical signal, which is a signal obtained by performing predetermined processing on the electrical signal sent from each antenna, to the master unit 301 for a UL period designated by the master unit 301.

  Each antenna converts the UL radio wave reached through the radio space into a UL electrical signal and sends it to each corresponding slave. The UL radio waves are radio waves emitted by each of the terminal groups 551.

  Each antenna also converts the DL electrical signal sent from the slave into a DL radio wave and emits it into the radio space.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a repeater 201a which is an example of the repeater 201 shown in FIG.

  The repeater 201a includes an antenna 206, processing units 211a and 211b, and a switch 216a.

  The antenna 206 converts the arrived radio wave into an electrical signal. The electrical signal reaches the processing unit 211 b.

  The antenna 206 also converts the UL electric signal received from the processing unit 211 a into a UL radio wave. Then, the antenna 206 emits the UL radio wave to the radio space.

  The processing unit 211a performs processing such as amplification on the UL electric signal input from the terminal B of the switch 216a. The processing unit 211 a inputs the UL electric signal after the processing to the antenna 206.

  The processing unit 211 b performs processing such as amplification on the DL electrical signal sent from the antenna 206. The processed DL electrical signal is input to the parent device 301. The input portion in the parent device 301 is the filter unit 306 shown in FIG. 3 when the parent device 301 is the parent device 301 a to be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

  The terminal A of the switch 216 a is connected to the parent device 301. The connection part of the terminal A in the parent device 301 is the MIX unit 311 shown in FIG. 3 when the parent device 301 is the parent device 301a described later with reference to FIG.

  The terminal C of the switch 216 a is connected to the parent device 301. The connection portion of the terminal C in the parent device 301 is a control unit 336 shown in FIG. 3 when the parent device 301 is the parent device 301a to be described later with reference to FIG.

  The switch 216 a electrically connects the terminal A and the terminal C when the control signal Su1 indicating that it is a UL period is input from the parent device 301 to the terminal C. Thereby, the switch 216a enables sending of the UL electric signal from the parent device 301 to the processing unit 211a.

  When the control signal Sd1 indicating that it is a DL period is input from the parent device 301 to the terminal C, the switch 216a insulates the terminal A from the terminal C. As a result, the switch 216a disables transmission of the electrical signal from the parent device 301 to the processing unit 211a.

  The switch 216a is configured to include, for example, a field effect transistor.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a parent device 301a which is an example of the parent device 301 shown in FIG.

  The parent device 301a includes a filter unit 306, MIX units 311 and 312, reception detection units 331 to 33Z which are Z reception detection units, a control unit 336, and a photoelectric conversion unit 321 which is N photoelectric conversion units. To 32N and an A / D converter 341. Here, A / D means analog / digital. Also, Z is a number equal to the number of base stations shown in FIG.

  The filter unit 306 is connected to the repeater 201 shown in FIG. In the case where the repeater 201 is the repeater 201a illustrated in FIG. 2, the connection portion in the repeater 201 is the processing unit 211b illustrated in FIG.

  The filter unit 306 separates the DL electrical signal sent from the repeater 201 into frequency bands. The frequency band is the frequency band assigned to each of the base stations 101 to 10Z shown in FIG. 1 as described above. The filter unit 306 sends the separated DL electric signal for each frequency band to each of the reception detection units 331 to 33Z corresponding to each frequency band. The DL electric signal of the frequency band corresponding to each of the base stations 101 to 10Z shown in FIG. 1 is input to each of the reception detection units 331 to 33Z (each reception detection unit) in this order.

  Each reception detection unit continuously determines whether a DL electrical signal is input, and inputs the determination result to the control unit 336.

  The control unit 336 sets the DL period and the UL period in the repeater 201 and each slave according to the determination result as to whether or not the DL electrical signal is input, which is input from each reception detection unit.

  The DL period is a period in which one of the reception detection units receives the DL electrical signal with respect to the repeater 201. Further, the UL period is a period in which no reception detection unit receives a DL electrical signal with respect to the repeater 201.

  Further, the DL period is a period in which the DL period related to the repeater 201 is shifted in the direction to be delayed by the delay time (processing delay) due to the processing in the parent device 301a and each child device regarding each child device. The UL period is, for each slave unit, for example, a period in which the UL period related to the repeater 201 is shifted in the direction delayed by the processing delay. The processing delay is, for example, actually used and a value that does not cause loss of UL / DL data is determined in advance by experience or the like. Alternatively, the processing delay may be measured by providing a delay measurement circuit. The measurement method is, for example, a method of deriving a delay from the time until the control unit 336 causes the reference unit 421 to loop back a reference signal sent to the Duplexer unit 421 described later with reference to FIG. It is.

  The control unit 336 sends the control signals Sd1 and Su1 described above to the repeater 201 according to the DL period and the UL period set for the repeater 201. The control unit 336 also sends the control signals Sd2 and Su2 described above to each slave according to the DL period and the UL period set for each slave. The transmission of the control signals Sd2 and Su2 to the respective slaves is performed via each of the photoelectric conversion units 321 to 32N, as described later.

  The DL electrical signal separated for each frequency band by the filter unit 306 is also input to the MIX unit 312.

  The MIX unit 312 generates a combined electrical signal obtained by combining the input DL signals separated for each frequency band with each other. The MIX unit 312 sends the generated combined electrical signal to the A / D conversion unit 341.

  The A / D conversion unit 341 converts the input combined DL signal, which is an analog DL electrical signal, into a digital DL electrical signal. The A / D conversion unit 341 sends the digital DL electric signal after conversion to each of the photoelectric conversion units 321 to 32N (each photoelectric conversion unit).

  Each photoelectric conversion unit converts the input digital DL electrical signal into a digital DL optical signal. Each photoelectric conversion unit sends the converted digital DL optical signal to each corresponding slave through the corresponding optical fiber of each of the optical fibers 351 to 35N.

  Each photoelectric conversion unit also converts the control signals Sd2 and Su2 input from the control unit 336 into light control signals. Each photoelectric conversion unit sends the converted light control signal to the corresponding slave through the corresponding optical fibers 351 to 35N.

  Each photoelectric conversion unit converts the digital optical signal into a digital UL electrical signal when a digital UL optical signal is sent from the corresponding slave unit through the corresponding optical fiber. Then, each photoelectric conversion unit sends the converted digital UL electric signal to the MIX unit 311.

  The MIX unit 311 synthesizes the digital UL electric signal sent from each photoelectric conversion unit. The MIX unit 311 sends the combined digital UL electric signal to the repeater 201 shown in FIG. The sending portion in the repeater 201 is the terminal A of the switch 216a when the repeater 201 is the repeater 201a shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a photoelectric conversion unit 320 which is an example of each of the photoelectric conversion units 321 to 32N shown in FIG.

  The photoelectric conversion unit 320 includes a light guiding unit 346, a light emitting unit 366, processing units 371a and 371b, an overlapping unit 326, and a light receiving unit 361.

  The superimposing unit 326 superimposes the control signals Sd2 and Su2 input to the terminal C from the control unit 336 shown in FIG. 3 and the DL electrical signal input to the terminal A, and generates a superimposed electrical signal. The generated superimposed electrical signal is input to the processing unit 371a via the terminal B.

  The processing unit 371a performs processing such as output adjustment on the input superimposed electrical signal, and inputs the processed signal to the light emitting unit 366.

  The light emitting unit 366 converts the superimposed electric signal input from the processing unit 371a into a superimposed light signal. The converted superimposed light signal is input to the light guiding unit 346.

  The light guiding unit 346 inputs the superimposed light signal input from the light emitting unit 366 to the optical fiber 350. The optical fiber 350 refers to any one of the optical fibers 351 to 35N shown in FIG. 3 that corresponds to the photoelectric conversion unit 320. The optical signal input to the optical fiber 350 is input to any one of the slave units 401 to 40N that corresponds to the photoelectric conversion unit 320.

  The light guiding unit 346 also inputs an optical signal input from the slave corresponding to the photoelectric conversion unit 320 through the optical fiber 350 to the light receiving unit 361.

  The light guide 346 is, for example, an optical circulator.

  When the UL light signal is input from the light guiding unit 346, the light receiving unit 361 converts the UL light signal into a UL electric signal. The UL electric signal after conversion is input to the processing unit 371b.

  The processing unit 371b performs processing such as output adjustment on the input UL electric signal. The processed UL electrical signal is input to the MIX unit 311 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a slave 400 as an example of each of slaves 401 to 40N shown in FIG.

  The slave unit 400 includes a photoelectric conversion unit 406, a TX processing unit 411, an A / D conversion unit 416, and a Duplexer unit 421.

  When an optical signal is input from the light guide 346 of the photoelectric conversion unit 320 shown in FIG. 4 through the optical fiber 350, the photoelectric conversion unit 406 converts the optical signal into a superimposed electric signal. The converted superimposed electrical signal is input to the TX processing unit 411 and the Duplexer unit 421. The superimposed electrical signal is a signal in which the DL electrical signal and the control signals Sd2 and Su2 sent from the control unit 336 shown in FIG. 3 via the photoelectric conversion unit 321 are superimposed.

  The TX processing unit 411 performs processing such as signal level adjustment and waveform shaping on the electric signal input from the photoelectric conversion unit 406. By the processing, the control signals Sd2 and Su2 are removed from the electrical signal input from the photoelectric conversion unit 406. That is, the processed electrical signal is a DL electrical signal. The processed DL electrical signal is input to the duplexer unit 421.

  The duplexer unit 421 extracts the control signals Su2 and Sd2 sent from the control unit 336 shown in FIG. 3 from the DL optical signal input from the photoelectric conversion unit 406 without passing through the TX processing unit 411.

  The Duplexer unit 421 performs predetermined processing on the DL electrical signal input from the Tx processing unit 411. The processed signal is sent to the antenna 500. Here, the antenna 500 refers to the antenna corresponding to the slave unit 400 among the antennas 501 to 50N shown in FIG.

  When the extracted control signal is the control signal Sd2, the Duplexer unit 421 stops the progress of the UL electrical signal input from the antenna 500.

  When the extracted control signal is the control signal Su2, the Duplexer unit 421 performs predetermined processing on the UL electrical signal input from the antenna 500. The duplexer unit 421 sends the processed signal to the A / D conversion unit 416.

  The A / D conversion unit 416 converts the analog UL electrical signal sent from the Duplexer unit 421 into a digital UL electrical signal. The converted digital UL electric signal is sent to the photoelectric conversion unit 406.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a photoelectric conversion unit 406a which is an example of the photoelectric conversion unit 406 shown in FIG.

  The photoelectric conversion unit 406a includes processing units 431a and 431b, a light receiving unit 436, a light emitting unit 441, and a light guiding unit 446.

  The light guiding unit 446 inputs the superimposed light signal sent from the light guiding unit 346 of the photoelectric conversion unit 320 to the light receiving unit 436 through the optical fiber 350. Here, the optical fiber 350 is any one of the optical fibers 351 to 35N shown in FIG. 3 that corresponds to a slave unit to which the photoelectric conversion unit 406a belongs. Further, the superimposed optical signal is an optical signal in which the DL signal and the control signals Sd2 and Su2 sent from the control unit 336 shown in FIG. 3 via the photoelectric conversion unit 321 are superimposed.

  When the UL light signal is input from the light emitting unit 441, the light guiding unit 446 inputs the UL light signal to the light guiding unit 346 of the photoelectric conversion unit 320 illustrated in FIG. 4 through the optical fiber 350. Do.

  When the superimposed light signal is input from the light guiding unit 446, the light receiving unit 436 converts the superimposed light signal into a superimposed electric signal. The converted superimposed electrical signal is input to the processing unit 431a.

  The processing unit 431a performs an output adjustment process on the superimposed electrical signal input from the light receiving unit 436. The superimposed electrical signal after processing is input to the TX processing unit 411 and the Duplexer unit 421 shown in FIG.

  The processing unit 431 b performs output adjustment processing on the digital UL electric signal input from the A / D conversion unit 416 illustrated in FIG. 5. The processed digital UL electrical signal is input to the light emitting unit 441.

  The light emitting unit 441 converts the digital UL electric signal input from the processing unit 431 b into a digital UL optical signal. The converted digital UL light signal is input to the light guiding unit 446.

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a Duplexer unit 421a which is an example of the Duplexer unit 421 shown in FIG.

  The Duplexer unit 421a includes processing units 451a and 451b, a switch 456b, and a signal separation unit 461.

  The above-described superimposed electric signal is input to the signal separation unit 461 from the photoelectric conversion unit 406 illustrated in FIG. 5. As described above, the superimposed electrical signal includes the DL electrical signal and the control signals Sd2 and Su2. The control signals Sd2 and Su2 are sent from the control unit 336 shown in FIG. 3 from any one of the photoelectric conversion units 321 to 32N that corresponds to the slave unit to which the Duplexer unit 421a belongs.

  The signal separation unit 461 removes the DL electrical signal from the input superimposed electrical signal, and extracts control signals Sd2 and Su2. The extracted control signals Sd2 and Su2 are input to the terminal L of the switch 456b.

  While the control signal Sd2 is input to the terminal L, the switch 456b insulates the terminals L-K. As a result, transmission of the electrical signal from the processing unit 451 b to the A / D conversion unit 416 shown in FIG. 5 is disabled.

  On the other hand, while the control signal Su2 is input to the terminal L, the switch 456b conducts between the terminals L and K. Thereby, it becomes possible to send the UL electric signal from the processing unit 451 b to the A / D conversion unit 416 shown in FIG. 5.

  The switch 456 b is configured to include, for example, a field effect transistor.

  The processing unit 451a performs processing such as output adjustment on the DL electrical signal input from the TX processing unit 411 illustrated in FIG. The processed DL electrical signal is sent to the antenna 500 shown in FIG.

  The processing unit 451 b performs processing such as output adjustment on the UL electric signal sent from the antenna 500. The processed UL electrical signal is input to the terminal K of the switch 456b.

  Heretofore, an example has been described in which the control signals Sd2 and Su2 from the control unit 336 are sent to each slave unit through an optical fiber as an optical signal superimposed on a DL optical signal. However, the DL optical signal and the optical signals relating to the control signals Sd2 and Su2 may be sent from the master unit to the slave unit through another optical fiber.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the subframes of the frame 601 and the timing of the switching process between the DL period and the UL period in the repeater and each slave. Here, the frame 601 is an example of a frame related to communication performed by each base station shown in FIG. 1 with the DAS 300.

  The frame 601 has a configuration in which a combination of three subframes of a subframe 6DL for DL, a subframe 6SF for space, and a subframe 6UL for UL is repeated.

  Here, the subframe 6SF for space is provided in order to prevent collision of the DL signal and the UL signal in each base station. As disclosed in Patent Document 1, each base station starts transmission of a signal for UL to each terminal of the communication destination before the start of subframe 6UL in order to prevent the collision. In that case, each terminal transmits a signal for UL to each base station using the period of subframe 6SF.

  The start timing of each subframe in the repeater 201 is delayed by the distance delay 701 from the start timing of each subframe in each base station. The distance delay 701 is a delay due to the distance between each base station and the DAS 300. Accordingly, if the distance between each base station and the DAS 300 is different, the distance delay 701 will have different values.

  The start timing of each subframe in each slave is delayed from the start timing of each subframe in each base station by the distance delay 701 plus the processing delay 706. The processing delay 706 is a delay caused by processing performed between the repeater 201 and each slave unit. The processing delay 706 can be assumed to be a fixed value when there is no variation in processing time in each child device.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, the base station starts sending the DL data 611 with the start of the subframe 6DL on the left side of the figure, and sends the DL data 611 for a predetermined period even after the subframe 6DL is completed. Is continuing.

  The DL data 611 arrives at the repeater 201 at a timing delayed by the distance delay 701 from the timing at which the base station starts sending. The arrival of the DL data 611 at the repeater 201 ends at a timing delayed by the distance delay 701 from the timing at which the base station has finished sending.

  The DL data 611 arrives at each handset at a timing delayed by the addition of the processing delay 706 to the distance delay 701 from the timing when the base station starts sending. Also, the DL data 611 ends arrival at each handset at a timing delayed by the addition of the processing delay 706 to the distance delay 701 from the timing when the base station has finished sending.

  The parent device 301 illustrated in FIG. 1 detects the start of arrival of the DL data 611 to the repeater 201. Here, it is assumed that the time difference between the arrival of data to the repeater 201 and the arrival of that data to the master device 301 can be ignored. Then, upon detection of the start of the arrival of the DL data 611, the parent device 301 sends the control signal Sd1 described above to the repeater 201. In response to the control signal Sd1, the repeater 201 outputs the DL electrical signal to the parent device 301 and does not output the UL radio wave.

  Master device 301 also sends control signal Sd2 to each slave device at a timing delayed by processing delay 706 from the timing of the start of the arrival of DL data 611. In response to the control signal Sd1, each slave outputs a DL radio wave and does not output a UL optical signal to the master 301.

  After that, the parent device 301 detects the end of the arrival of the DL data 611 to the repeater 201. Then, upon detection of the end of the arrival of the DL data 611, the parent device 301 sends the above-described control signal Su1 to the repeater 201. In response to the control signal Su1, the repeater 201 outputs a UL radio wave and does not output a DL electrical signal to the parent device 301.

  The master unit 301 also sends a control signal Su2 to each slave unit at a timing delayed by the processing delay 706 from the end timing of the arrival of the DL data 611. In response to the control signal Su1, each slave outputs a DL radio wave and starts outputting an UL optical signal to the master 301.

Thus, the DAS 300 switches between the DL period and the UL period in synchronization with the reception of the DL data in each of the repeater 201 and each slave. Here, the DL period is a period in which each of the repeater 201 and each of the slaves outputs a DL signal and does not output a UL signal. Further, the UL period is a period during which the output related to the UL signal is performed and the output related to the DL signal is not performed. Therefore, even if there is a difference in distance from each base station, DAS 300 can suppress the loss of these data due to a collision between DL data and UL data. In the case of FIG. 8, repeater 201 and each slave unit Start sending the UL data 616 earlier than the timing of the start of reception of the UL data 616 by the base station. This is because the base station instructed each terminal so that reception of UL data and transmission of subsequent DL data do not overlap.

  In the above description, the master set all the periods in which no DL signal is received from any base station as the UL period in the repeater. However, the master device may set a part of the period in which the DL signal is not received from any of the base stations as the UL period. In this case, for example, this may occur by setting an appropriate interval between the DL period and the UL period.

Further, in the above description, the parent device sets all of the periods obtained by shifting the period in which the DL signal is not received from any of the base stations by the processing delay time as the UL period in each child device. However, the master unit may set a part of the period as the UL period. In this case, for example, this may occur by setting an appropriate interval between the DL period and the UL period.
[effect]
The DAS of the present embodiment emits UL radio waves from the repeater to each base station and receives UL radio waves from terminals in each slave unit only during a period when DL data is not received. Therefore, the DAS can suppress the loss of DL data and UL data due to a collision even if there is variation in delay due to a difference in distance from each base station.
Second Embodiment
The second embodiment is an embodiment relating to a DAS provided with dedicated repeaters corresponding to each of the frequency bands assigned to each base station as many as the number of base stations.

  FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a communication system 900a which is an example of the communication system of the second embodiment.

  The description of communication system 900a is the same as the description of communication system 900 depicted in FIG. 1, except as follows. However, in the description of FIG. 1, each of the communication system 900, the DAS 300, and the master unit 301 is replaced with the communication system 900 a, the DAS 300 a, and the master unit 302. Further, in the case where the description of FIG. 1 contradicts the following description, the following description is given priority.

  The DAS 300a includes repeaters 201 to 20Z that are Z repeaters, a master unit 302, slave units 401 to 40N that are N slave units, and antennas 501 to 50N that are N antennas.

  The repeater 20X (X is 1 to Z) can output only the electric signal obtained by converting the radio wave of the frequency band allocated to the base station 10X shown in FIG.

  The repeater 20X converts a radio wave reaching an antenna (not shown) included in the repeater 20X into an electric signal. Then, the repeater 20X generates a limited DL electrical signal in which the electrical signal is limited to only the frequency band allocated to the base station 10X corresponding to the repeater 20X. The repeater 20X sends the restricted DL electrical signal to the master unit 302.

  The repeater 20X also performs predetermined processing only on the UL period designated by the parent device 302, with respect to the UL electrical signal sent by the parent device. Then, the repeater 20X converts the processed UL electric signal into a UL radio wave. The repeater 20X emits the UL radio wave to the surrounding radio space. It is assumed that the UL radio wave reaches the base station 10X corresponding to the repeater 20X.

  Master device 302 determines whether or not a restricted DL electrical signal is received from any of repeaters 20X (X is an integer of 1 or more and Z or less). The determination result reflects the influence of the distance delay occurring between each base station and the DAS 300 a.

  Based on the determination result as to whether or not the limited DL electrical signal is received, master device 302 sends, to repeater 20X, a control signal instructing to switch between the DL period and the UL period in repeater 20X.

  The control signal includes, for example, a control signal Sd1 indicating that it is a DL period and a control signal Su1 indicating that it is an UL period. In that case, when the control signal Sd1 is sent from the parent device 302, the repeater 20X does not output the UL radio wave. The repeater 20X also outputs the UL radio wave when the control signal Su1 is sent from the master unit 302. Repeater 20X repeats the same operation alternately.

  Master device 302 also instructs control signals to switch between the DL period and the UL period in each of slaves 401 to 40N (each slave) based on the determination result of whether or not the DL electric signal is received. , Send to each handset.

  The control signal includes, for example, a control signal Sd2 indicating that it is a DL period and a control signal Su2 indicating that it is a UL period. Each of the control signals Sd2 and Su2 is sent to each child device at a timing delayed by the time (processing delay) required for processing in the parent device 302 and each child device from the timing of sending each of the control signals Sd1 and Su1 described above. Be done.

  FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of the repeater 201b, which is an example of the repeater 20X (X is an integer of 1 or more and Z or less) shown in FIG.

  The repeater 201b includes an antenna 206, processing units 211a and 211b, a switch 216a, and a filter 221.

  The antenna 206 converts the arrived radio wave into an electrical signal. The electrical signal reaches the filter 221.

  The antenna 206 also converts the UL electric signal received from the processing unit 211 a into a UL radio wave. Then, the antenna 206 emits the radio wave to the surrounding radio space.

  The filter 221 generates a limited DL electrical signal in which the frequency band of the DL electrical signal sent from the antenna 206 is limited to the frequency band assigned to the base station corresponding to the repeater 201 b.

  When a UL electrical signal is input from the terminal B of the switch 216a, the processing unit 211a performs processing such as amplification on the UL electrical signal. The processing unit 211 a inputs the UL electric signal after the processing to the antenna 206.

  The processing unit 211 b performs processing such as amplification on the limited DL electrical signal sent from the filter 221. The processed limited electrical signal is input to the reception detection unit 331 shown in FIG.

  The terminal A of the switch 216 a is connected to the parent device 301. The connection portion of the terminal A in the parent device 301 is the filter unit 356 shown in FIG. 11 when the parent device 301 is the parent device 301b described later with reference to FIG.

  The terminal C of the switch 216 a is connected to the parent device 301. The connection portion of the terminal C in the parent device 301 is a control unit 336 shown in FIG. 11 when the parent device 301 is a parent device 302a described later with reference to FIG.

  When a signal indicating that it is a DL period is input from the parent device 301 to the terminal C, the switch 216 a electrically connects the terminal A and the terminal C. Thereby, the switch 216a enables sending of the UL electric signal from the parent device 301 to the processing unit 211a.

  The switch 216 a insulates the terminal A and the terminal C from each other when a signal indicating that it is a UL period is input from the parent device 301 to the terminal C. As a result, the switch 216a disables transmission of the electrical signal from the parent device 301 to the processing unit 211a.

  The switch 216a is configured to include, for example, a field effect transistor.

  FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a parent device 302a which is an example of the parent device 302 shown in FIG.

  The description of the parent device 302a is the same as the description of the parent device 301a shown in FIG. 3 except for the following description. However, in the explanation of FIG. 3, the parent device 301a is replaced with the parent device 302a. When the following description contradicts the explanation of FIG. 3, the following description is given priority.

  The parent device 302a includes MIX units 311 and 312, reception detection units 331 to 33Z that are Z reception detection units, a control unit 336, photoelectric conversion units 321 to 32N that are N photoelectric conversion units, and A And a D / D conversion unit 341 and a filter unit 356. Also, Z is a number equal to the number of base stations shown in FIG.

  Each of the reception detection units 331 to 33Z (each reception detection unit) is connected to a corresponding one of the repeaters 201 to 20Z shown in FIG.

  Each reception detection unit determines whether or not the above-described restricted DL electrical signal is input, and inputs the determination result to the control unit 336.

  The control unit 336 sets the DL period and the UL period in each repeater and the A / D conversion unit 341 according to the determination result whether or not the limited DL electrical signal is input, which is input from each reception detection unit.

  The DL period is a period during which any reception detection unit receives the restricted DL electrical signal with respect to each repeater. Further, the UL period is a period in which no reception detection unit receives the restricted DL electrical signal with respect to each repeater.

  Further, the DL period is a period in which, for each slave unit, for example, the DL period of each repeater is shifted in the direction to be delayed by the delay time (processing delay) due to the processing. Further, the UL period is, for each slave unit, for example, a period in which the UL period of each repeater is shifted in the direction delayed by the processing delay. The processing delay is, for example, actually used and a value that does not cause loss of UL / DL data is determined in advance by experience or the like. Alternatively, the processing delay may be measured by providing a delay measurement circuit. The measurement method is, for example, a method of deriving a delay from the time until the control unit 336 causes the reference unit 421 to loop back a reference signal sent to the Duplexer unit 421 described later with reference to FIG. It is.

  The control unit 336 sends the control signals Sd1 and Su1 described above to each repeater according to the DL period and the UL period set for each repeater. The control unit 336 also sends the control signals Sd2 and Su2 described above to the A / D conversion unit 341 in the DL period and the UL period set for the A / D conversion unit 341.

  Each of the limited DL electrical signals sent from each repeater is also input to the MIX unit 312.

  The MIX unit 311 synthesizes the digital UL electric signal sent from each photoelectric conversion unit. The MIX unit 311 sends the digital UL electric signal after synthesis to the filter unit 356.

The filter unit 356 separates the combined digital UL electric signal sent from the MIX unit 311 into frequency bands. The filter unit 356 sends each of the separated UL electric signals for each frequency band to the repeater corresponding to each frequency band. The sending part in each repeater is the terminal A of the switch 216a in the case of the repeater 201b represented by FIG.
[effect]
The DAS of the second embodiment exhibits the same effects as the DAS of the first embodiment.

  The DAS of the second embodiment includes a plurality of dedicated repeaters specialized for each frequency band. Therefore, the DAS of the second embodiment is easier to improve the sensitivity of transmission and reception with the base station as compared with the DAS of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the relay device 300x that is the minimum configuration of the relay device of the embodiment.

  The relay device 300x includes a first communication unit 201x, a control unit 301x, and a second communication unit 401x.

  The first communication unit 201x is directed to at least one of the reception of the first radio wave, which is a radio wave related to the first signal, and the second radio wave, which is a radio wave related to the second signal. And release. Here, the first signal is a signal that each of a plurality of base stations transmits to the terminal. The second signal is a signal sent by the terminal.

  Here, the first communication unit 201x is, for example, the above-described repeater. The first radio wave is, for example, the DL radio wave emitted by each base station described above. The second radio wave is a UL radio wave emitted by the aforementioned repeater. The first signal is, for example, the DL signal carried as the DL radio wave or the DL electrical signal described above. The second signal is, for example, a UL signal carried as the above-mentioned UL radio wave, UL electric signal, or UL optical signal.

  The control unit 301 x is a part or all of a second period which is a period obtained by delaying each of the start and the end of the first period which is a period determined to receive no first signal by a predetermined time. A first control signal, which is a control signal specifying three periods, is output.

  The first control signal is, for example, the control signals Sd2 and Su2 described above.

  The second communication unit 401x is configured to emit a third radio wave, which is a radio wave related to the first signal, toward the terminal, and a fourth radio wave that is a radio wave related to the second signal emitted by the terminal. Switch between receiving and At this time, the second communication unit 401x sets the period for receiving the fourth radio wave to the third period by the first control signal.

  Here, the second communication unit 401x is, for example, a combination of each of the above-described child devices and each antenna corresponding to each child device. The third radio wave is, for example, the aforementioned DL radio wave emitted by the combination. The fourth radio wave is, for example, the aforementioned UL radio wave received by the combination.

  The relay device 300x does not receive the fourth radio wave from the terminal during a period in which the first signal is actually received from any of the base stations.

  Therefore, in the relay device 300x, even if there is a difference in distance from each base station, the first signal sent from any of the base stations collides with the second signal sent from the terminal. This can suppress possible data loss.

  Therefore, the relay device 300x achieves the effect described in the section of [Effect of the invention] by the above configuration.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment of the present invention was described, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can carry out further modification, substitution, adjustment in the range which does not deviate from the basic technical idea of the present invention. It can be added. For example, the configuration of the elements shown in each drawing is an example to help the understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in these drawings.

  In addition, part or all of the above-described embodiment may be described as in the following appendices, but is not limited to the following.

(Appendix A1)
The reception of the first radio wave, which is a radio wave related to the first signal sent to the terminal by each of the plurality of base stations, and the second radio wave, which is the radio wave related to the second signal sent by the terminal A first communication unit for emitting to at least one of a plurality of base stations;
Designate a third period which is a part or all of a second period which is a period obtained by delaying each of the start and the end of the first period which is a period determined that there is no reception of the first signal by a predetermined time. A control unit that outputs a first control signal that is a control signal;
Switching between emission toward the terminal of the third radio wave, which is a radio wave related to the first signal, and reception of a fourth radio wave, which is a radio wave related to the second signal emitted by the terminal, A second communication unit configured to set a period for receiving a fourth radio wave in the third period by the first control signal;
A relay device comprising:

(Appendix A2)
The predetermined time is a time reflecting the delay due to the process related to at least one of the first signal and the second signal in at least one of the first communication unit, the control unit, and the second communication unit. , The relay apparatus described in the appendix A1.

(Appendix A3)
The first communication unit sends an electrical signal obtained by converting the first radio wave to the control unit, and the control unit determines the presence or absence of reception of the first signal by sending the electrical signal. A1 or the relay apparatus described in supplementary note A2.

(Appendix A4)
The relay apparatus according to any one of Appendixes A1 to A3, wherein the first control signal is sent from the control unit to the second communication unit by an optical signal.

(Appendix A5)
The relay apparatus according to Appendix A4, wherein the first control signal is sent by an optical signal superimposed on the first signal.

(Appendix A6)
The relay apparatus according to any one of Appendixes A1 to A5, wherein frequency bands assigned to communication performed by each of the plurality of base stations with the first communication unit are different from each other.

(Appendix A7)
The relay apparatus according to any one of appendices A1 to A6, comprising a plurality of the second communication units.

(Appendix A8)
The relay apparatus according to any one of Appendixes A1 to A7, wherein the transmission of the first signal from the first communication unit to the second communication unit is performed via the control unit.

(Appendix A9)
The relay apparatus according to any one of Appendixes A1 to A8, wherein the transmission of the second signal from the second communication unit to the first communication unit is performed via the control unit.

(Appendix A10)
The relay apparatus according to any one of Appendixes A1 to A9, wherein transmission and reception of the first signal and the second signal between the control unit and the second communication unit are performed by optical signals.

(Appendix A11)
The control unit outputs a second control signal that is a control signal that specifies a fourth period that is all or part of the first period, and the first communication unit is configured to output the second control signal according to the second control signal. The relay apparatus according to any one of appendices A1 to A10, which emits the second radio wave for only four periods.

(Appendix A12)
The relay apparatus according to any one of appendices A1 to A11, including the plurality of first communication units.

(Appendix A13)
The relay apparatus according to Appendix A12, wherein each of the first communication units corresponds to the plurality of base stations.

(Appendix A14)
The relay apparatus according to Appendix A12 or A13, wherein each of the first communication units corresponds to a frequency band assigned to the plurality of base stations.

(Appendix A15)
The any one of Appendix A12 to Appendix A14, wherein each of the first communication units sends the first signal related to the first radio wave of the frequency band allocated to the plurality of base stations to the control unit. Relay device described in one.

(Appendix A16)
The relay apparatus according to any one of appendices A1 to A15, wherein the first communication unit is a repeater.

(Appendix A17)
The relay apparatus according to any one of Appendixes A1 to A16, which is a distributed antenna system.

101, 10Z Base station 201, 201a, 201b Repeater 201x First communication unit 206 Antenna 211a, 211b, 371a, 371b, 431a, 431b, 451a, 451b Processing unit 216a, 456b Switch 221 Filter 300, 300a DAS
301, 301a, 302, 302a Base unit 301x control unit 306, 356 filter unit 311, 312 MIX unit 320 photoelectric conversion unit 326 superimposition unit 320, 321, 32N, 406, 406a photoelectric conversion unit 331, 33Z reception detection unit 336 control unit 341, 416 A / D converter 346, 446 light guide 350, 351, 35N optical fiber 361, 436 light receiver 366, 441 light emitter 400, 401, 40N slave unit 401x second communication unit 411 TX processor 421, 421a Duplexer unit 461 Signal separation unit 500, 501, 50N Antenna 551 Terminal group 601 Frame 6DL, 6SF, 6UL Subframe 611 DL data 616 UL data 701 Distance delay 706 Processing delay 900, 900a Communication system A, B, C J, K, L terminal

Claims (10)

The reception of the first radio wave, which is a radio wave related to the first signal sent to the terminal by each of the plurality of base stations, and the second radio wave, which is the radio wave related to the second signal sent by the terminal A first communication unit for emitting to at least one of a plurality of base stations;
Designate a third period which is a part or all of a second period which is a period obtained by delaying each of the start and the end of the first period which is a period determined that there is no reception of the first signal by a predetermined time. A control unit that outputs a first control signal that is a control signal;
Switching between emission toward the terminal of the third radio wave, which is a radio wave related to the first signal, and reception of a fourth radio wave, which is a radio wave related to the second signal emitted by the terminal, A second communication unit configured to set a period for receiving a fourth radio wave in the third period by the first control signal;
A relay device comprising:   The predetermined time is a time reflecting the delay due to the process related to at least one of the first signal and the second signal in at least one of the first communication unit, the control unit, and the second communication unit. The relay apparatus according to claim 1.   The first communication unit sends an electric signal obtained by converting the first radio wave to the control unit, and the control unit determines whether or not the first signal is received by sending the electric signal. The relay apparatus described in Claim 1 or Claim 2.   The relay apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first control signal is transmitted from the control unit to the second communication unit by an optical signal.   5. The relay apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first control signal is sent by an optical signal superimposed on the first signal.   The relay apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein frequency bands allocated to communication performed by the plurality of base stations with the first communication unit are different from each other. .   The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a plurality of the second communication units.   The control unit outputs a second control signal that is a control signal that specifies a fourth period that is all or part of the first period, and the first communication unit is configured to output the second control signal according to the second control signal. The relay apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second radio wave is emitted only for four periods.   The relay apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a plurality of the first communication units.   Each of the first communication units corresponds to a frequency band allocated to the plurality of base stations, and each of the first communication units corresponds to the first of the frequency bands allocated to the plurality of base stations. The relay apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first signal related to a radio wave is sent to the control unit.

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