Method and apparatus for performing on-going gain calibrating in a communication system

A remote unit for use in a communication system, the remote unit comprising:

• a) a filter means for providing a filtered measurement of the amount of power that is being output by the remote unit;
• b) a receiving means for receiving a value indicative of the output from the master system unit;
• and
• c) a processing means, coupled to the filter means and to the receiving means, for calculating the difference between the filtered measurement and the received value and further for providing a control signal in response to the calculated difference.

A master system unit for use in a communication system, the master system unit comprising:

• a) a measurement means for providing a measurement of the amount of power that is being input to the master system unit;
• b) a receiving means for receiving a value indicative of the amount of power output by a remote unit;
• and
• c) a processing means, coupled to the measurement means and to the receiving means, for calculating the difference between the measurement and the received value and further for providing a control signal in response to the calculated difference.

A method for performing ongoing calibration on a communication system that has a remote unit and a master system unit, including:

• a) injecting a signal into the master system unit
• b) determining the power level of the injected signal at the input to the master system unit;
• c) determining the power level of the injected signal at the output of the remote unit;
• d) subtracting the power level at the input of the master system unit from the power level at the output of the remote unit to determine a reference gain;
• e) removing the injected signals;
• f) placing the communication system in service;
• g) determining the power level at the input to the master system unit;
• h) determining the power level at the output of the remote unit;
• i) subtracting the power level at the input of the master system unit from the power level at the output of the remote unit to determine an operational gain;
• j) determining the difference between the reference gain and the operational gain;
• and
• k) adjusting the operational gain in response to the difference between the reference gain and the operational gain.

A method for performing ongoing calibration on a communication system that has a plurality of remote units and a master system unit, including:

• a) determining a power level at an input to each of the plurality of remote units;
• b) determining whether the input level at one of the plurality of remote units is significantly greater than the input level at each of the other remote units;
• c) if so, then determining the power level at the output of the remote unit;
• d) subtracting the power level at the input of the remote unit having the highest power level from the power level at the output of the master system unit to determine an operational gain.