Method and System for Extending Multiple Input Multiple Output Wireless Service

A method for extending multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication service from a base station having a base coverage area, to a remote coverage area, wherein the remote coverage area is at least partially different from the base coverage area, the method comprising:

• a host system receiving a plurality of signal streams that comprise at least a first and a second signal stream, and wherein a downlink signal generated by the base station comprises at least the first and the second signal stream;
• the host system conveying the received signal streams to a remote system wherein the remote system extends the MIMO communication service of the base station to at least a portion of the remote coverage area, and wherein the host system substantially controls the remote system;
• and
• the host system indicating to the remote system to wirelessly transmit the signal streams via a plurality of antennas of the remote system, wherein the plurality of antennas include at least a first remote antenna and a second remote antenna, and wherein the first remote antenna is configured to transmit the first signal stream and the second remote antenna is configured to transmit the second signal stream.

A host system comprising:

• one or more communication interfaces that communicatively couple the host system to a base station and to a remote system, wherein the host system substantially controls the remote system, wherein the remote system is configured to extend the wireless service of the base station to a remote coverage area, wherein the remote system having a plurality of antennas, including at least a first remote antenna and a second remote antenna, and wherein the remote system is configured to wirelessly transmit at least a first and a second downlink signal stream from a plurality of downlink signal streams via the first and second remote antennas;
• wherein the host system is configured to:
• receive the first downlink signal stream from the base station and convey the first downlink signal stream to the remote system for transmission through the first remote antenna;
• and
• receive the second downlink signal stream from the base station and convey the second downlink signal stream to the remote system for transmission through the second remote antenna;
• wherein the base station is configured to provide wireless service in a base coverage area, and wherein the base station is further configured to generate from a baseband signal, a downlink signal comprising the plurality of downlink signal streams that includes at least the first and the second downlink signal stream.