INDIVIDUALIZED GAIN CONTROL OF REMOTE UPLINK BAND PATHS IN A REMOTE UNIT IN A DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM (DAS), BASED ON COMBINED UPLINK POWER LEVEL IN THE REMOTE UNIT

[0001] The technology of the disclosure relates generally to distributed antenna systems (DASs) that support distributing communications services to remote units, and particularly to individualized gain control of remote uplink band paths in remote units based on combined uplink power in the remote units.

[0002] Wireless communication is rapidly growing, with ever-increasing demands for high-speed mobile data communication. As an example, local area wireless services (e.g., so-called “wireless fidelity” or “WiFi” systems) and wide area wireless services are being deployed in many different types of areas (e.g., coffee shops, airports, libraries, etc.). Distributed communications or antenna systems communicate with wireless devices called “clients,” “client devices,” or “wireless client devices,” which must reside within the wireless range or “cell coverage area” in order to communicate with an access point device. Distributed antenna systems are particularly useful to be deployed inside buildings or other indoor environments where client devices may not otherwise be able to effectively receive radio-frequency (RF) signals from a source, such as a base station for example. Example applications where DASs can be used to provide or enhance coverage for wireless services include public safety, cellular telephony, wireless local access networks (LANs), location tracking, and medical telemetry inside buildings and over campuses.

[0003] One approach to deploying a DAS involves the use of RF antenna coverage areas, also referred to as “antenna coverage areas.” Antenna coverage areas can be formed by remotely distributed antenna units, also referred to as remote units (RUs). The RUs each contain or are configured to couple to one or more antennas configured to support the desired frequency(ies) or polarization to provide the antenna coverage areas. Antenna coverage areas can have a radius in the range from a few meters up to twenty meters as an example. Combining a number of remote units creates an array of antenna coverage areas. Because the antenna coverage areas each cover small areas, there typically may be only a few users (clients) per antenna coverage area. This arrangement generates a uniform high quality signal enabling high throughput supporting the required capacity for the wireless system users.

[0004] As an example, FIG. 1 illustrates distribution of communications services to coverage areas 10(1)-10(N) of a DAS 12, wherein ‘N’ is the number of coverage areas. These communications services can include cellular services, wireless services such as RFID tracking, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), local area network (LAN), WLAN, and combinations thereof, as examples. The coverage areas 10(1)-10(N) may be remotely located. In this regard, the remote coverage areas 10(1)-10(N) are created by and centered on remote antenna units 14(1)-14(N) connected to a central unit 16 (e.g., a head-end controller or head-end unit). The central unit 16 may be communicatively coupled to a base station 18. In this regard, the central unit 16 receives downlink communications signals 20D from the base station 18 to be distributed to the remote antenna units 14(1)-14(N). The remote antenna units 14(1)-14(N) are configured to receive downlink communications signals 20D from the central unit 16 over a communications medium 22 to be distributed as downlink communications signals 20D′ to the respective coverage areas 10(1)-10(N) of the remote antenna units 14(1)-14(N). Each remote antenna unit 14(1)-14(N) may include an RF transmitter/receiver (not shown) and a respective antenna 24(1)-24(N) operably connected to the RF transmitter/receiver to wirelessly distribute the communications services to client devices 26 within their respective coverage areas 10(1)-10(N). The size of a given coverage area 10(1)-10(N) is determined by the amount of RF power transmitted by the respective remote antenna unit 14(1)-14(N), the receiver sensitivity, antenna gain and the RF environment, as well as by the RF transmitter/receiver sensitivity of the client device 26. Client devices 26 usually have a fixed RF receiver sensitivity, so that the above-mentioned properties of the remote antenna units 14(1)-14(N) mainly determine the size of their respective remote coverage areas 10(1)-10(N).

[0005] In the DAS 12 in FIG. 1, the remote antenna units 14(1)-14(N) are also configured to receive uplink communications signals 20U from the client devices 26 in their respective coverage areas 10(1)-10(N). The uplink communications signals 20U may be received in multiple frequency bands. The uplink communications signals 20U received in multiple frequency bands can be routed to different uplink path circuits (not shown) in the remote units 14(1)-14(N) related to their frequency band. At the related uplink path circuits in the remote units 14(1)-14(N), the uplink communications signals 20U can be filtered, amplified, and combined together into the combined uplink communications signals 20U′ to be distributed to the central unit 16. If the input power of each of the frequency bands of the received uplink communications signals 20U in a given remote unit 14 is P_I, the combined uplink power level P_L of the combined uplink communications signals 20U′ is given by P_L=P_I+G+10×Log N, where ‘N’ is the number of frequency bands in the received uplink communications signals 20U, and ‘G’ is the gain in the remote unit 14 from its antenna 24 to the signal combination point. The gain G of a remote unit 14 determines the sensitivity of the remote unit 14.

[0006] It may be important that the combined uplink power of the combined uplink communications signals 20U′ remain below a combined uplink power level threshold. For example, if the DAS 12 in FIG. 1 is an optical fiber-based DAS, the signal combination point may be a laser diode to convert the combined uplink communications signals 20U′ to an optical signal. The laser diode enters into a non-linear region above a defined power level. Thus, to ensure the remote units 14(1)-14(N) can handle a worst case power level scenario, the gain G of the remote units 14(1)-14(N) is set to maintain the combined uplink power level P_L at or below the combined power level threshold, assuming all the received uplink communications signals 20U are at their maximum expected power level. This creates a dilemma. If the uplink power level of the combined uplink communications signals 20U′ of a remote unit 14 is below the combined uplink power level threshold at any given time, the gain G of the remote unit 14 will be lower than it could otherwise be with the combined uplink power level P_L still not exceeding the combined uplink power level threshold. Thus, the sensitivity of the remote unit 14 will be less than it could otherwise be if a lower combined uplink power level of the combined uplink communications signals 20U′ were assumed. However, if the gain G of the remote unit 14 were set assuming a lower combined uplink power level of the combined uplink communications signals 20U′, there will be times when the combined uplink power level of the combined uplink communications signals 20U′ is higher thus causing the combined uplink power level P_L to exceed the combined uplink power level threshold for the remote unit 14.

[0007] Embodiments disclosed herein include individualized gain control of remote uplink band paths in a remote unit in a distributed antenna system (DAS) based on combined uplink power level in the remote unit. Related devices, methods, and systems are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the remote combined uplink power of a remote combined uplink communications signal in a remote unit is measured. The combined uplink communications signal in the remote unit can be comprised of a combined plurality of uplink band communications signals. If the remote combined uplink power level of the combined uplink communications signal in the remote unit exceeds a defined remote combined uplink threshold power level for the remote unit, the gain of certain remote uplink band paths in the remote unit is reduced. The gain is reduced for individual remote uplink band paths that provide higher power contribution to the remote combined uplink power of the combined uplink communications signal in the remote unit. This allows the initial uplink gain of the remote uplink band paths in a remote unit to be set higher to increase sensitivity, because the gain of the remote uplink band paths that provide higher power contributions to the remote combined uplink power in the remote unit can be reduced, without reducing the gain in the other remote uplink band paths that would otherwise reduce their sensitivity. This is opposed to reducing the gain of all remote uplink band paths in the remote unit equally in response to the remote combined uplink power of the combined uplink communications signal exceeding the uplink threshold power level, which would result in reduced sensitivity of all remote uplink band paths in the remote unit.

[0008] One embodiment relates to a remote gain control system for providing individualized gain control of at least one remote uplink band path in a remote unit in a DAS. The remote gain control system comprises a plurality of remote uplink band power measurement circuits. Each remote uplink band power measurement circuit is coupled to a remote uplink band path among a plurality of remote uplink band paths each carrying at least one uplink band communications signal in a remote unit. Each remote uplink band power measurement circuit among the plurality of remote uplink band power measurement circuits is configured to measure a remote uplink band power of an uplink band communications signal in the remote uplink band path in the remote unit. Each remote uplink band power measurement circuit among the plurality of remote uplink band power measurement circuits is also configured to provide a remote uplink band power measurement indicative of the measured remote uplink band power of the uplink band communications signal in the remote uplink band path. The remote gain control system also comprises a remote combined uplink power measurement circuit coupled to a remote combined uplink path in the remote unit carrying a combined uplink communications signal comprised of a combined plurality of the uplink band communications signals. The remote combined uplink power measurement circuit is configured to measure a remote combined uplink power of the combined uplink communications signal in the remote combined uplink path, and to provide a remote combined uplink power measurement indicative of the measured remote combined uplink power of the combined uplink communications signal in the remote combined uplink path.

[0009] The remote gain control system also comprises a remote controller configured to receive the remote combined uplink power measurement in the remote unit. The remote controller is also configured receive individual remote uplink band power measurements for each remote uplink band path of the plurality of remote uplink band paths in the remote unit. The remote controller is also configured determine if the remote combined uplink power measurement is greater than a remote combined uplink threshold power level for the remote unit. If the remote combined uplink power measurement is greater than the remote combined uplink threshold power level for the remote unit, the remote controller is configured to identify high power remote uplink band paths among the plurality of remote uplink band paths, and direct a remote uplink band gain control circuit for at least one remote uplink band path identified as a high power remote uplink band path, to reduce an uplink band gain of the respective remote uplink band path by a defined remote uplink band gain level.

[0010] Another embodiment relates to a method of providing individualized gain control of uplink paths in remote units in a DAS based on individual remote unit contribution to a combined uplink power. The method comprises measuring a remote uplink band power of a plurality of uplink band communications signals in a corresponding plurality of remote uplink band paths in a remote unit, and providing a plurality of individual remote uplink band power measurements corresponding to each remote uplink band path among the plurality of remote uplink band paths indicative of the measured remote uplink band power of at least one uplink band communications signal in the corresponding remote uplink band path. The method also comprises measuring a remote combined uplink power of a combined uplink communications signal comprised of the plurality of uplink band communications signals in a remote combined uplink path of the remote unit, and providing a remote combined uplink power measurement indicative of the measured remote combined uplink power of the combined uplink communications signal in the remote combined uplink path. The method also comprises determining if the remote combined uplink power measurement is greater than a remote combined uplink threshold power level for the remote unit. If the remote combined uplink power measurement is greater than the remote combined uplink threshold power level for the remote unit, the method also comprises identifying high power remote uplink band paths among the plurality of remote uplink band paths, and for at least one remote uplink band path identified as a high power remote uplink band path, reducing an uplink band gain of the respective remote uplink band path by a defined remote uplink band gain level.

[0011] Another embodiment relates to a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions to cause a remote controller to provide individualized gain control of uplink paths in remote units in a DAS based on individual remote unit contribution to a combined uplink power, by measuring a remote uplink band power of a plurality of uplink band communications signals in a corresponding plurality of remote uplink band paths in a remote unit, providing a plurality of individual remote uplink band power measurements corresponding to each remote uplink band path among the plurality of remote uplink band paths indicative of the measured remote uplink band power of at least one uplink band communications signal in the corresponding remote uplink band path, measuring a remote combined uplink power of a combined uplink communications signal comprised of the plurality of uplink band communications signals in a remote combined uplink path of the remote unit, providing a remote combined uplink power measurement indicative of the measured remote combined uplink power of the combined uplink communications signal in the remote combined uplink path, determining if the remote combined uplink power measurement is greater than a remote combined uplink threshold power level for the remote unit, and if the remote combined uplink power measurement is greater than the remote combined uplink threshold power level for the remote unit: identifying high power remote uplink band paths among the plurality of remote uplink band paths among the plurality of remote uplink band paths, and for each remote uplink band path identified as a high power remote uplink band path, reducing an uplink band gain of the respective remote uplink band path by a defined remote uplink band gain level.

[0012] Another embodiment relates to a DAS comprising a central unit configured to receive a plurality of uplink communications signals from a plurality of remote units, and distribute the received plurality of uplink communications signals to a network. The DAS also comprises the plurality of remote units, each configured to receive a plurality of uplink band communications signals from at least one client device, combine the received plurality of uplink band communications signals into a combined uplink communications signal, and distribute the received combined uplink communications signal to the central unit. Each of the plurality of remote units comprises a plurality of remote uplink band power measurement circuits each coupled to a remote uplink band path among a plurality of remote uplink band paths each carrying at least one uplink band communications signal in a remote unit. Each remote uplink band power measurement circuit among the plurality of remote uplink band power measurement circuits is configured to measure a remote uplink band power of an uplink band communications signal in the remote uplink band path in the remote unit, and provide a remote uplink band power measurement indicative of the measured remote uplink band power of the uplink band communications signal in the remote uplink band path. Each of the plurality of remote units also comprises a remote combined uplink power measurement circuit coupled to a remote combined uplink path in the remote unit carrying a combined uplink communications signal comprised of a combined plurality of the uplink band communications signals. The remote combined uplink power measurement circuit is configured to measure a remote combined uplink power of the combined uplink communications signal in the remote combined uplink path, and provide a remote combined uplink power measurement indicative of the measured remote combined uplink power of the combined uplink communications signal in the remote combined uplink path.

[0013] The DAS also comprises at least one remote controller configured to, for each of the plurality of remote units, receive the remote combined uplink power measurement for the remote unit, receive an individual remote uplink band power measurement for each remote uplink band path of the plurality of remote uplink band paths in the remote unit, determine if the remote combined uplink power measurement is greater than a remote combined uplink threshold power level for the remote unit, and if the remote combined uplink power measurement is greater than the remote combined uplink threshold power level for the remote unit: identify high power remote uplink band paths among the plurality of remote uplink band paths, and direct a remote combined uplink band gain control circuit for at least one remote uplink band path identified as a high power remote uplink band path, to reduce an uplink band gain of the respective remote uplink band path by a defined remote uplink band gain level.

[0014] Additional features and advantages are set forth in the detailed description and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description as well as the drawings. Both the foregoing general description and the detailed description are merely exemplary, and provide an overview to understand the nature and character of the claims. The drawings provide a further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the various embodiments.

[0021] Various embodiments will be further clarified by the following examples.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary distributed antenna system (DAS) 30. The DAS 30 includes a plurality of remote units 34(1)-34(P) that are each configured to receive an uplink communications signal 38U(1)-38U(P) to be distributed to a central unit 36 to be distributed to a base station 40 or other network. The received uplink communications signal 38U(1)-38U(P) may contain uplink communications signals in different communication frequencies, referred to herein as “bands.” Thus, the remote units 34(1)-34(P) are each configured to split their respective received uplink communications signal 38U(1)-38U(P) into respective remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(P)(Q) to provide uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(P)(Q). Each remote unit 34(1)-34(P) in the DAS 30 may have a plurality (i.e., ‘Q’) of remote uplink band paths 46 that each carry at least one uplink band communications signal 38U(1)(1)-38U(P)(Q). Note that each uplink band communications signal 38U(1)(1)-38U(P)(Q) may include multiple uplink signals from multiple client devices, and thus an uplink band communications signal 38U(1)(1)-38U(P)(Q) at each band be an aggregation of multiple uplink signals. For example, remote unit 34(1) has one or more remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q) that carry a respective uplink band communications signal 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q) filtered from a received uplink communications signal 38U(1). For example, remote unit 34(1) has remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q). Remote unit 34(P) has remote uplink band paths 46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q). The uplink communications signals 38U(1)-38U(P) are separated into their uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(P)(Q) in the respective remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(P)(Q) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P), processed in the remote units 34(1)-34(P), and recombined into respective combined uplink communication signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P) to be distributed to the central unit 36.

[0023] With continuing reference to FIG. 2, each of the remote units 34(1)-34(P) in the DAS 30 in this example can include an exemplary remote gain control system 32(1)-32(P) for adjusting the gain level of the uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(P)(Q). As will be discussed in more detail below, each remote gain control system 32(1)-32(P) is configured to individually control the remote uplink band path gains of the respective remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(P)(Q) in each remote unit 34(1)-34(P) based on each remote uplink band path's 46(1)(1)-46(P)(Q) individual power contribution to a remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) in the respective remote unit 34(1)-34(P). The gain is reduced for the remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(P)(Q) in the individual remote units 34(1)-34(P) which provide higher power contribution to their respective remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) in the respective remote unit 34(1)-34(P). This allows the initial remote uplink band gain of the remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(P)(Q) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P) to be set higher to increase sensitivity, because the remote uplink band gain of the remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(P)(Q) that provide higher power contributions to their respective remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) in each remote unit 34(1)-34(P) can be reduced, without reducing the gain in the other remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(P)(Q) in a given remote unit 34(1)-34(P) that would otherwise reduce sensitivity. This is opposed to having to reduce the remote uplink gain of all respective remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(P)(Q) in each remote unit 34(1)-34(P) equally in response to the respective remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) of the combined uplink communications signal 38U′(1)-38U′(P) in a given remote unit 34(1)-34(P) exceeding a defined uplink threshold power level, which would result in reduced sensitivity of all remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(P)(Q) in a given remote unit 34(1)-34(P). Before discussing more details of the remote gain control systems 32(1)-32(P) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P) in the DAS 30 in FIG. 2, other components of the DAS 30 are first described below.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the central unit 36 is provided. The central unit 36 is configured to receive one or more downlink communications signals 38D from a base station 40 or other network device to be distributed to the plurality of remote units 34(1)-34(P). As discussed above, there are ‘P’ number of remote units 34(1)-34(P) provided in the DAS 30 in this example. The central unit 36 is configured to distribute the received downlink communications signals 38D over a downlink communications medium (not shown) to the remote units 34(1)-34(P) to be distributed to client devices in communication, wired and/or wirelessly, with the remote units 34(1)-34(P). The central unit 36 is also configured to receive a plurality of combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P) from the plurality of remote units 34(1)-34(P) to be distributed to the base station 40. As shown in FIG. 2, in this example, separate uplink communications medium 42(1)-42(P) are provided to communicatively couple the central unit 36 to each remote unit 34(1)-34(P), respectively. The remote units 34(1)-34(P) are each configured to receive the uplink communications signals 38U(1)-38U(P) over respective antenna ports 44(1)-44(P), which are then processed in each remote unit 34(1)-34(P) through uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(P)(Q) band circuits and the combiner 50(1) to provide the combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P).

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, each remote unit 34(1)-34(P) may include more than one remote uplink band path 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q), where ‘Q’ is the number of remote uplink paths. For example, each remote uplink band path 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) may be configured to support a different frequency band of the possible received uplink communications signals 38U(1)-38U(P) supported by the DAS 30. A multiplexer 48(1)-48(P) provided in each remote units 34(1)-34(P) is configured to separate out the different frequency bands in the respective received uplink communications signals 38U(1)-38U(P) to direct the separate frequency bands of uplink communications signals 38U(1)-38U(P) to the correct remote uplink band path 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q). For example, the received uplink communications signal 38U(1) in remote unit 34(1) may be separated by the multiplexer 48(1) into uplink communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q), where ‘Q’ is the number of frequency bands supported by the remote unit 34(1). Similarly, the received uplink communications signal 38U(P) in remote unit 34(P) may be separated by the multiplexer 48(P) into uplink communications signals 38U(P)(1)-38U(P)(Q) of ‘Q’ different frequency bands. In other aspects, multiplexers 48(1)-48(P) may be replaced by an RF splitter that splits the respective received uplink communications signals 38U(1)-38U(P) to the respective multiple remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q). Band selection is made in this case by band specific filters in each remote uplink band path 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q). In another aspect, multiplexers or RF splitters are not be used and each band is coupled to a separate antenna. The remote units 34(1)-34(P) include remote uplink combiners 50(1)-50(P). The remote uplink combiners 50(1)-50(P) are configured to combine the respective uplink communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q)-38U(P)(1)-38U(P)(Q) from each remote uplink band path 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) in its respective remote unit 34(1)-34(P) into combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P) to be distributed to the central unit 36.

[0026] With continuing reference to FIG. 2, in this example, the DAS 30 is an optical fiber-based DAS. In this regard, each remote unit 34(1)-34(P) has an electrical-to-optical (E-O) converter 52(1)-52(P) in the form of laser diodes 54(1)-54(P) that are configured to convert the electrical combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P) into optical combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P) to be distributed over optical uplink communications medium 42(1)-42(P) to the central unit 36. The optical combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P) are received by the central unit 36 over the uplink communications medium 42(1)-42(P). In this embodiment, the central unit 36 includes uplink optical-to-electrical (0-E) converters 70(1)-70(P) to convert the optical combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P) back to electrical combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P). The electrical combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38′U(P) are then processed (e.g., amplified) and combined by uplink combiner 72 into a combined uplink communications signal 38U′ to be provided to the base station 40.

[0027] With continuing reference to FIG. 2, because the uplink communications signals 38U(1)-38U(P) may be received by the remote units 34(1)-34(P) at power levels that could overload the laser diodes 54(1)-54(P) and thus cause non-linearity issues with E-O signal conversions, each remote uplink band path 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P) in this example includes a remote uplink band gain control system 56(1)(1)-56(1)(Q)-56(P)(1)-56(P)(Q). The remote uplink band gain control systems 56(1)(1)-56(1)(Q)-56(P)(1)-56(P)(Q) are configured to limit the remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) of the combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P) applied to the laser diodes 54(1)-54(P) to respective defined remote uplink threshold power level. Note that if a given remote unit 34 only had one remote uplink band path 46, only one remote uplink band gain control system 56 would need to be provided in that remote unit 34.

[0028] In this regard, with continuing reference to FIG. 2, each remote uplink band gain control system 56(1)(1)-56(1)(Q)-56(P)(1)-56(P)(Q) includes a remote uplink band power measurement circuit 58(1)(1)-58(1)(Q)-58(P)(1)-58(P)(Q). The remote uplink band power measurement circuits 58(1)(1)-58(1)(Q)-58(P)(1)-58(P)(Q) in this example are comprised of power detectors 60(1)(1)-60(1)(Q)-60(P)(1)-60(P)(Q) that are configured to measure power or another measurement that can be correlated to power. Each power detector 60(1)(1)-60(1)(Q)-60(P)(1)-60(P)(Q) is configured to measure a remote uplink band power of the uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q)-38U(P)(1)-38U(P)(Q) in the remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) after being amplified by a certain gain determined by remote uplink band gain control circuits 68(1)(1)-68(1)(Q)-68(P)(1)-68(P)(Q) discussed below. The power detectors 60(1)(1)-60(1)(Q)-60(P)(1)-60(P)(Q) are also configured to provide remote uplink band power measurements 62(1)(1)-62(1)(Q)-62(P)(1)-62(P)(Q) indicative of the remote uplink band power of the respective amplified uplink band communications signal 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q)-38U(P)(1)-38U(P)(Q) in the respective remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) to respective remote controllers 64(1)-64(P) provided in the remote units 34(1)-34(P).

[0029] With continuing reference to FIG. 2, the remote controllers 64(1)-64(P) determine if any remote uplink band gains in the respective remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) should be adjusted or limited based on the measured respective remote uplink power of the uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q)-38U(P)(1)-38U(P)(Q). If so, the remote controllers 64(1)-64(P) are configured to issue respective remote uplink band gain adjustment signals 66(1)(1)-66(1)(Q)-66(P)(1)-66(P)(Q) to respective remote uplink band gain control circuits 68(1)(1)-68(1)(Q)-68(P)(1)-68(P)(Q) provided in the remote uplink band gain control systems 56(1)(1)-56(1)(Q)-56(P)(1)-56(P)(Q). The remote uplink band gain control circuits 68(1)(1)-68(1)(Q)-68(P)(1)-68(P)(Q) may be combined with automatic level controllers (ALCs) or automatic gain controllers (AGCs), as non-limiting examples. The remote uplink band gain control circuits 68(1)(1)-68(1)(Q)-68(P)(1)-68(P)(Q) are disposed in the respective remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q). The remote uplink band gain control circuits 68(1)(1)-68(1)(Q)-68(P)(1)-68(P)(Q) are configured to individually adjust the remote uplink band gain in the remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) based on respective received remote uplink band gain adjustment signals 66(1)(1)-66(1)(Q)-66(P)(1)-66(P)(Q) from the respective remote controllers 64(1)-64(P). As discussed above, the remote uplink band gain control circuits 68(1)(1)-68(1)(Q)-68(P)(1)-68(P)(Q) may also independently limit the remote uplink band gain in the remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) to limit the remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) applied to the laser diodes 54(1)-54(P) of the respective remote units 34(1)-34(P) to prevent overloading.

[0030] Note that while in this example, a dedicated remote controller 64(1)-64(P) is provided in each remote unit 34(1)-34(P), the functionality of the remote controllers 64(1)-64(P) could be part of another internal controller in the respective remote units 34(1)-34(P) or a controller external to the remote units 34(1)-34(P). The functionality of the remote controllers 64(1)-64(P) could also be included in one remote controller that is configured to receive the remote uplink band gain adjustment signals 66(1)(1)-66(1)(Q)-66(P)(1)-66(P)(Q) from each of the remote units 34(1)-34(P) and adjust the remote uplink band gain in the remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) the remote units 34(1)-34(P) in response.

[0031] With continuing reference to FIG. 2, to prevent the remote combined uplink powers U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) of the combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P) in the respective remote units 34(1)-34(P) from exceeding a defined remote uplink threshold power level, each remote unit 34(1)-34(P) also contains a remote combined uplink gain control system 76(1)-76(P). The remote combined uplink gain control systems 76(1)-76(P) each include a remote combined uplink power measurement circuit 78(1)-78(P). The remote combined uplink power measurement circuits 78(1)-78(P) are each coupled to a respective remote combined uplink path 74(1)-74(P) carrying the respective combined uplink communications signal 38U′(1)-38U′(P). The remote combined uplink power measurement circuits 78(1)-78(P) in this example are each comprised of remote combined uplink power detectors 80(1)-80(P) that are each configured to measure power or another measurement that can be correlated to power. The remote combined uplink power detectors 80(1)-80(P) are each configured to measure a respective remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) of the combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P) in the remote combined uplink paths 74(1)-74(P). The remote combined uplink power detectors 80(1)-80(P) are also each configured to provide a remote uplink power measurement 82(1)-82(P) to the remote controller 64(1)-64(P) in its respective remote unit 34(1)-34(P).

[0032] With continuing reference to the DAS 30 in FIG. 2, as discussed above, the remote uplink band power of each received uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(P)(Q) in their respective remote units 34(1)-34(P) can be controlled by their respective remote uplink band gain control systems 56(1)(1)-56(1)(Q)-56(P)(1)-56(P)(Q) to be within desired power limits or below a remote uplink threshold power level. However, the power level of the uplink band communications signals 38U′(1)(1)-38U′(P)(Q) when combined into the respective remote unit 34(1)-34(P) may still have a high enough respective combined uplink power U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) to overload the respective laser diode 54(1)-54(P) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P). For example, with regard to remote unit 34(1) in particular in the DAS 30 in FIG. 2 (which is also equally applicable to the other remote units 34(2)-34(P)), if the combined uplink communications signal 38U(1) in the remote unit 34(1) is at a remote uplink power level Pi (dBm), the remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1) of the combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1) from each of the uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q) in the remote unit 34(1) will be equal to Pi+(10×Log(Q)+G). ‘G’ is the gain in the remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q) of the remote unit 34(1) assuming G is equal for all remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q) for all frequency bands of the uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q). Thus, to keep the combined uplink power U_RCP(1) of the combined uplink communications signal 38U′(1) in the remote unit 34(1) below a desired maximum power level, the remote uplink band gain control systems 56(1)(1)-56(1)(Q) in the remote unit 34(1) can be individually controlled by the remote controller 64(1) to reduce the remote uplink band gain of the individual uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q) in the remote unit 34(1) based on the remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1) in the remote unit 34(1). In this regard, the remote controller 64(1) in the remote unit 34(1) in the DAS 30 in FIG. 2 can send remote uplink band gain adjustment signals 66(1)(1)-66(1)(Q) to the respective remote uplink band gain control circuits 68(1)(1)-68(1)(Q) provided in the remote uplink band gain control systems 56(1)(1)-56(1)(Q) in the remote unit 34(1) to limit the remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1) of the individual uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q).

[0033] However, if the remote gain level of the remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q) in the remote unit 34(1) is adjusted to reduce the remote gain level due to the remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1) of the combined uplink communications signal 38U′(1) exceeding a defined remote uplink power threshold, the sensitivity of the remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q) in the remote unit 34(1) are reduced as a result. In the case where a particular weak uplink band communications signal 38U(1) is received at a remote uplink band path 46(1), together with a strong uplink band communications signal that caused a gain reduction of that remote uplink band path 46(1), the power level of the weak uplink communications signal 38U(1) might go below the sensitivity threshold. In other words, the weak uplink communications signal 38U(1) would be at a lower power level and sensitivity than desired. Therefore, this creates a dilemma in that the gain of the remote units 34(1) should be set high for increased sensitivity and/or to allow low power level uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q) to pass through the remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q) of the remote unit 34(1) with a high enough power level, but also avoid the high power level uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q) causing the remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1) of the combined uplink communications signal 38U′(1) to exceed the remote uplink threshold power level of the remote unit 34(1).

[0034] In this regard in this example, the remote controllers 64(1)-64(P) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P) are each configured to provide individualized gain control of remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) in their respective remote units 34(1)-34(P) based on individual remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) contribution to remote combined uplink powers U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) of the combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P). This is opposed to reducing the remote uplink band gain levels of remote uplink band paths 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) in their remote units 34(1)-34(P) equally in response to the respective remote combined uplink powers U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) of the combined uplink communications signals 38U′(1)-38U′(P) in their respective remote units 34(1)-34(P) being higher than desired or exceeding a desired central uplink power threshold.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating one exemplary process of a remote gain control system 32(1)-32(P) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P) in the DAS 30 in FIG. 2 individually controlling the remote uplink band path gain in their respective remote units 34(1)-34(P) based on the individual remote uplink band path 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) contribution to the remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P The process in FIG. 3 is described with regard to a remote controller 64 controlling a remote gain control system 32 in a single remote unit 34, but note that the process in FIG. 3 can be performed by each of the remote controllers 64(1)-64(P) to control the remote gain control systems 32(1)-32(P) in each of their respective remote units 34(1)-34(P). Further, the process in FIG. 3 can be performed in a single controller that is configured to control the remote gain control systems 32(1)-32(P) in each of their respective remote units 34(1)-34(P). The process in FIG. 3 will be described below with regard to any of the remote controllers 64(1)-64(P) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P).

[0036] With reference to FIG. 3, the remote controller 64 of a remote unit 34 may first perform some initialization processes. In this regard, the remote controller 64 may set a remote combined uplink threshold power level for a remote combined uplink power U_RCP in the remote unit 34 to a desired initial remote uplink threshold power level (block 100 in FIG. 3). For example, the initial uplink threshold power level may be 0 dBm. The remote controller 64 could then set the uplink band gain for all the remote uplink band paths 460(1)-460(Q) in the remote unit 34 to a defined maximum remote uplink band gain level (e.g., 30 dB) (block 102 in FIG. 3). Thereafter, the remote controller 64 can perform the processes to control the remote uplink band path gain in the remote unit 34 based on the individual remote uplink band path 460(1)-460(Q) contribution to the remote combined uplink power U_RCP in the remote unit 34.

[0037] With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the remote controller 64 is configured to measure the remote combined uplink power U_RCP of the combined uplink communications signal 38U′ in the remote combined uplink path 74 of the remote unit 34 (block 104 in FIG. 3). The remote controller 64 measures the remote combined uplink power U_RCP power of the combined uplink communications signal 38U′ by receiving the remote uplink power measurement 82 from the remote combined uplink power detector 80 coupled to the remote combined uplink path 74 in this example. The remote controller 64 is also configured to measure the individual remote uplink band power for each remote uplink band path 460(1)-460(Q) in the remote unit 34 (block 106 in FIG. 3). The remote controller 64 measures the individual remote uplink band power for each remote uplink band path 460(1)-460(Q) in the remote unit 34 by receiving the individual remote uplink band power measurements 620(1)-620(Q) for each remote uplink band path 460(1)-460(Q) in the remote unit 34 in this example.

[0038] With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the remote controller 64 then identifies as high power remote uplink band paths, any remote uplink band paths 460(1)-460(Q) in the remote unit 34 having individual remote uplink band power measurements 620(1)-620(Q) above the defined remote uplink band threshold power level (block 108 in FIG. 3). If the remote combined uplink power U_RCP in the remote unit 34 is greater than the maximum remote combined uplink power level, meaning that the laser diode 54 is being overdriven beyond desired power limits (block 110 in FIG. 3), the remote controller 64 reduces the uplink band gain of the remote uplink band paths 460(1)-460(Q) identified as high power remote uplink band paths in the remote unit 34 by defined remote uplink band gain level (e.g., less than 20 dB, e.g., less than 10 dB, also e.g., 1 dB) (block 112 in FIG. 3). In this regard, the remote controller 64 can send remote uplink band gain adjustment signals 66(1)(1)-66(1)(Q) to the respective remote uplink band gain control circuits 68(1)(1)-68(1)(Q) for the identified high power remote uplink band paths to decrease their gain level. The process will then repeat by the remote controller 64 measuring the remote combined uplink power U_RCP in the remote unit 34 individual remote uplink band power for each remote uplink band path 460(1)-460(Q) in the remote unit 34 in blocks 104 and 106 in FIG. 3 to identify any remaining high power remote uplink band paths among the remote uplink band paths 460(1)-460(Q) (block 108 in FIG. 3). Eventually, this process will cause the remote uplink band path gain in their respective remote units 34(1)-34(P) to be reduced based on the individual remote uplink band path 460(1)-460(Q) contribution to the remote combined uplink power U_RCP in the remote units 34 without having to equally reduce the remote uplink band path gain of all remote uplink band paths 460(1)-460(Q) equally.

[0039] If in block 110 in FIG. 3, the remote combined uplink power U_RCP in the remote unit 34 is not greater than the maximum remote combined uplink power level, the remote controller 64 determines if the remote combined uplink power U_RCP is less than the maximum remote combined uplink power level within a defined combined uplink power level tolerance (e.g., 4 dB) (block 114 in FIG. 3). If so, this means that the remote uplink band gain of the individual remote uplink band path 460(1)-460(Q) can be increased since the remote combined uplink power U_RCP is not overdriving the laser diode 54. In this regard, the remote controller 64 can send remote uplink band gain adjustment signals 66(1)(1)-66(1)(Q) to the respective remote uplink band gain control circuits 68(1)(1)-68(1)(Q) having a remote uplink band path gain below the maximum remote uplink gain level in the remote uplink band gain control systems 56(1)(1)-56(1)(Q) in the remote unit 34(1) to increase their gain level (e.g., approximately less than 20 db, or e.g., approximately less than 10 dB, or e.g., approximately 1 dB or less) for increased sensitivity (block 116 in FIG. 3). If, however, the remote controller 64 determines that the remote combined uplink power U_RCP is greater than the maximum remote combined uplink power level within a defined combined uplink power level tolerance (e.g., 4 dB) (block 114 in FIG. 3), no remote uplink gain level adjustment for the remote uplink band paths 460(1)-460(Q) is performed, and the process can be repeated by returning to block 104 in FIG. 3.

[0040] Note that remote controllers 64(1)-64(P) may repeat the process in blocks 104-116 in FIG. 3 periodically or during operation of the DAS 30. The process may be repeated, because the uplink band communications signals 38U(1)(1)-38U(1)(Q)-38U(P)(1)-38U(P)(Q) received at each remote unit 34(1)-34(P) may continuously change (e.g., new calls are initiated or terminated, subscribers get closer to the DAS antennas or away from the DAS antennas). Note that the exemplary process in FIG. 3 of a remote gain control system 32(1)-32(P) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P) in the DAS 30 in FIG. 2 individually controlling the remote uplink band path gain in their respective remote units 34(1)-34(P) based on the individual remote uplink band path 46(1)(1)-46(1)(Q)-46(P)(1)-46(P)(Q) contribution to the remote combined uplink power U_RCP(1)-U_RCP(P) in the remote units 34(1)-34(P) is not limiting and other processes may be employed.

[0041] The remote gain control systems 32 in the DAS 30 in FIG. 2 can be provided in other DASs as well, without limitation. For example, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary optical fiber-based DAS 120 that may be employed according to the embodiments disclosed herein that include remote gain control systems 133(1)-133(P) in remote antenna units 134(1)-134(P), like the remote gain control systems 32(1)-32(P) in the DAS 30 in FIG. 2. The remote gain control systems 133(1)-133(P) are each configured to individually control remote uplink band path gains of the remote uplink band paths in each remote antenna unit 134(1)-134(P) based on each remote uplink band path's individual power contribution to a remote combined uplink power in the respective remote antenna unit 134(1)-134(P). In this embodiment, the optical fiber-based DAS 120 includes optical fiber for distributing communications services. The optical fiber-based DAS 120 in this embodiment is comprised of three (3) main components. One or more radio interfaces provided in the form of radio interface modules (RIMs) 122(1)-122(M) in this embodiment are provided in a central unit 124 to receive and process downlink electrical communications signals 126D(1)-126D(R) prior to optical conversion into downlink optical communications signals. The RIMs 122(1)-122(M) provide both downlink and uplink interfaces. The notations “1-R” and “1-M” indicate that any number of the referenced component, 1-R and 1-M, respectively, may be provided. The central unit 124 is configured to accept the plurality of RIMs 122(1)-122(M) as modular components that can easily be installed and removed or replaced in the central unit 124. In one embodiment, the central unit 124 is configured to support up to twelve (12) RIMs 122(1)-122(12).

[0042] Each RIM 122(1)-122(M) can be designed to support a particular type of radio source or range of radio sources (i.e., frequencies) to provide flexibility in configuring the central unit 124 and the optical fiber-based DAS 120 to support the desired radio sources. For example, one RIM 122 may be configured to support the Personal Communication Services (PCS) radio band. Another RIM 122 may be configured to support the 700 MHz radio band. In this example, by inclusion of these RIMs 122, the central unit 124 could be configured to support and distribute communications signals on both PCS and LTE 700 radio bands, as an example. RIMs 122 may be provided in the central unit 124 that support any frequency bands desired, including but not limited to the US Cellular band, Personal Communication Services (PCS) band, Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) band, 700 MHz band, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) 900, GSM 1800, and Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The RIMs 122 may also be provided in the central unit 124 that support any wireless technologies desired, including but not limited to Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), CDMA200, 1×RTT, Evolution—Data Only (EV-DO), UMTS, High-speed Packet Access (HSPA), GSM, General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), iDEN, and Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD).

[0043] The RIMs 122 may be provided in the central unit 124 that support any frequencies desired, including but not limited to US FCC and Industry Canada frequencies (824-849 MHz on uplink and 869-894 MHz on downlink), US FCC and Industry Canada frequencies (1850-1915 MHz on uplink and 1930-1995 MHz on downlink), US FCC and Industry Canada frequencies (1710-1755 MHz on uplink and 2110-2155 MHz on downlink), US FCC frequencies (698-716 MHz and 776-787 MHz on uplink and 728-746 MHz on downlink), EU R & TTE frequencies (880-915 MHz on uplink and 925-960 MHz on downlink), EU R & TTE frequencies (1710-1785 MHz on uplink and 1805-1880 MHz on downlink), EU R & TTE frequencies (1920-1980 MHz on uplink and 2110-2170 MHz on downlink), US FCC frequencies (806-824 MHz on uplink and 851-869 MHz on downlink), US FCC frequencies (896-901 MHz on uplink and 929-941 MHz on downlink), US FCC frequencies (793-805 MHz on uplink and 763-775 MHz on downlink), and US FCC frequencies (2495-2690 MHz on uplink and downlink).

[0044] The downlink electrical communications signals 126D(1)-126D(R) are provided to a plurality of optical interfaces provided in the form of optical interface modules (OIMs) 128(1)-128(N) in this embodiment to convert the downlink electrical communications signals 126D(1)-126D(R) into downlink optical signals 130D(1)-130D(R). The notation “1-N” indicates that any number of the referenced component 1-N may be provided. The OIMs 128 may be configured to provide one or more optical interface components (OICs) that contain optical to electrical (O/E) and electrical to optical (E/O) converters, as will be described in more detail below. The OIMs 128 support the radio bands that can be provided by the RIMs 122, including the examples previously described above. Thus, in this embodiment, the OIMs 128 may support a radio band range from 400 MHz to 2700 MHz, as an example.

[0045] The OIMs 128(1)-128(N) each include E/O converters to convert the downlink electrical communications signals 126D(1)-126D(R) into the downlink optical communications signals 130D(1)-130D(R). The downlink optical communications signals 130D(1)-130D(R) are communicated over downlink optical fiber(s) communications medium 132D to a plurality of remote antenna units 134(1)-134(P). The notation “1-P” indicates that any number of the referenced component 1-P may be provided. O/E converters provided in the remote antenna units 134(1)-134(P) convert the downlink optical communications signals 130D(1)-130D(R) back into the downlink electrical communications signals 126D(1)-126D(R), which are provided to antennas 138(1)-138(P) in the remote antenna units 134(1)-134(P) to client devices in the reception range of the antennas 138(1)-138(P).

[0046] E/O converters are also provided in the remote antenna units 134(1)-134(P) to convert uplink electrical communications signals 140U(1)-140U(P) received from client devices through the antennas 138(1)-138(P) into uplink optical communications signals 130U(1)-130U(P) to be communicated over an uplink optical fiber communications medium 132U to the OIMs 128(1)-128(N). The OIMs 128(1)-128(N) include O/E converters that convert the uplink optical communications signals 130U(1)-130U(P) into uplink electrical communications signals 142U(1)-142U(P) that are processed by the RIMs 122(1)-122(M) and provided as uplink electrical communications signals 142U(1)-142U(P). Note that the downlink optical fiber communications medium 132D and uplink optical fiber communications medium 132U connected to each remote antenna unit 134(1)-134(P) may be a common optical fiber communications medium, wherein for example, wave division multiplexing (WDM) may be employed to provide the downlink optical communications signals 130D(1)-130D(R) and the uplink optical communications signals 130U(1)-130U(P) on the same optical fiber communications medium.

[0047] The DAS 120 in FIG. 4 that includes the remote gain control systems 133(1)-133(P) configured to individually control remote uplink band path gains of the remote uplink band paths in each remote antenna unit 134(1)-134(P) based on each remote uplink band path's individual power contribution to a remote combined uplink power in the respective remote antenna unit 134(1)-134(P), may also be provided in an indoor environment, as illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a partially schematic cut-away diagram of a building infrastructure 150 employing the DASs 30, 120 described herein. The building infrastructure 150 in this embodiment includes a first (ground) floor 152(1), a second floor 152(2), and a third floor 152(3). The floors 152(1)-152(3) are serviced by the central unit 154 to provide the antenna coverage areas 156 in the building infrastructure 150. The central unit 154 is communicatively coupled to the base station 158 to receive downlink communications signals 160D from the base station 158. The central unit 154 is communicatively coupled to the remote antenna units 162 to receive the uplink communications signals 160U from the remote antenna units 162, as previously discussed above. The downlink and uplink communications signals 160D, 160U communicated between the central unit 154 and the remote antenna units 162 are carried over a riser cable 164. The riser cable 164 may be routed through interconnect units (ICUs) 166(1)-166(3) dedicated to each floor 152(1)-152(3) that route the downlink and uplink communications signals 160D, 160U to the remote units 162 and also provide power to the remote antenna units 162 via array cables 168.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram representation of additional detail illustrating a computer system 170 that could be employed in any controllers disclosed herein, including the remote controllers 64(1)-64(P) in the DAS 30 in FIG. 2. The control system 170 is adapted to execute instructions from a computer-readable medium to perform these and/or any of the functions or processing described herein, including individually controlling remote uplink band path gains of the remote uplink band paths in a remote unit(s) based on the remote uplink band path's individual power contribution to a remote combined uplink power in a remote unit(s).

[0049] The computer system 170 in FIG. 6 may include a set of instructions that may be executed to calculate gain of DAS segment in a DAS. The computer system 170 may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines in a LAN, an intranet, an extranet, or the Internet. While only a single device is illustrated, the term “device” shall also be taken to include any collection of devices that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. The computer system 170 may be a circuit or circuits included in an electronic board card, such as, a printed circuit board (PCB), a server, a personal computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computing pad, a mobile device, or any other device, and may represent, for example, a server or a user's computer.

[0050] The computer system 170 includes a processing device or processor 172, a main memory 174 (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), such as synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), etc.), and a static memory 176 (e.g., flash memory, static random access memory (SRAM), etc.), which may communicate with each other via a data bus 178. Alternatively, the processor 172 may be connected to the main memory 174 and/or static memory 176 directly or via some other connectivity means. The processor 172 may be a controller, and the main memory 174 or static memory 176 may be any type of memory.

[0051] The processor 172 represents one or more general-purpose processing devices, such as a microprocessor, central processing unit, or the like. More particularly, the processor 172 may be a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a processor implementing other instruction sets, or other processors implementing a combination of instruction sets. The processor 172 is configured to execute processing logic in instructions for performing the operations and steps discussed herein.

[0052] The computer system 170 may further include a network interface device 180. The computer system 170 also may or may not include an input 182, configured to receive input and selections to be communicated to the computer system 170 when executing instructions. The computer system 170 also may or may not include an output 184, including but not limited to a display, a video display unit, and an alphanumeric input device.

[0053] The computer system 170 may include a data storage device that includes instructions 188 stored in a computer-readable medium 190. The instructions 188 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 174 and/or within the processor 172 during execution thereof by the computer system 170, the main memory 174 and the processor 172 also constituting computer-readable media.

[0054] The term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the processing device and that cause the processing device to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the embodiments disclosed herein. The term “computer-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical medium, and magnetic medium.

[0055] The embodiments disclosed herein include various steps. The steps of the embodiments disclosed herein may be formed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, the steps may be performed by a combination of hardware and software.

[0056] The embodiments disclosed herein may be provided as a computer program product, or software, that may include a machine-readable medium (or computer-readable medium) having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer system (or other electronic devices) to perform a process according to the embodiments disclosed herein. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a machine-readable medium includes: a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., ROM, random access memory (“RAM”), a magnetic disk storage medium, an optical storage medium, flash memory devices, etc.); and the like.

[0057] Unless specifically stated otherwise and as apparent from the previous discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “determining,” “displaying,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data and memories represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices.

[0058] The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatuses to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description above. In addition, the embodiments described herein are not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the embodiments as described herein.

[0059] Those of skill in the art will further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithms described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, instructions stored in memory or in another computer-readable medium and executed by a processor or other processing device, or combinations of both. The components of the DASs described herein may be employed in any circuit, hardware component, integrated circuit (IC), or IC chip, as examples. Memory disclosed herein may be any type and size of memory and may be configured to store any type of information desired.

[0060] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Furthermore, a controller may be a processor. A processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0061] The embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in hardware and in instructions that are stored in hardware, and may reside, for example, in RAM, flash memory, ROM, Electrically Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readable medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC.

[0062] The operational steps described in the embodiments herein may be performed in numerous different sequences other than the illustrated sequences. Operations described in a single operational step may actually be performed in a number of different steps, or one or more operational steps discussed in the exemplary embodiments may be combined. Information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips, that may be references throughout the above description, may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0063] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred.

[0064] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.