Method and system for soft frequency reuse in a distributed antenna system

A method for routing and switching operator RF signals, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of Digital Remote Units (DRUs), each configured to receive one or more downlink radio frequencies and to transmit one or more uplink radio frequencies;
• and
• providing at least one Digital Access Unit (DAU) configured to communicate with at least one of the plurality of DRUs,
• wherein a first DRU in a first cell is operable to communicate using a first set of frequencies characterized by a first frequency band over a first geographic footprint,
• wherein a plurality of second DRUs in the first cell are operable to communicate using a second set of frequencies characterized by a second frequency band different from the first frequency band over a second geographic footprint surrounding the first geographic footprint,
• wherein a third DRU in a second cell is operable to communicate using the first set of frequencies over a third geographic footprint, and
• wherein a plurality of fourth DRUs in the second cell are operable to communicate using a third set of frequencies characterized by a third frequency band different from the first frequency band over a fourth geographical footprint surrounding the third geographical footprint.

A method of distributing communications frequencies, the method comprising:

• providing a set of communications units;
• transmitting and receiving, from a first communications unit of the set of communications units, a first set of frequencies characterized by a first frequency band over a first geographic footprint;
• transmitting and receiving, from a plurality of second communications units of the set of communications units, a second set of frequencies characterized by a second frequency band different from the first frequency band over a second geographic footprint larger than and at least partially surrounding the first geographic footprint;
• transmitting and receiving, from a third communications unit of the set of communications units, a third set of frequencies including one or more frequencies in the first frequency band over a third geographical footprint;
• and
• transmitting and receiving, from a plurality of fourth communications units of the set of communications units, a fourth set of frequencies characterized by a third frequency band over a fourth geographical footprint larger than and at least partially surrounding the third geographical footprint.

A communications system comprising:

• a host unit;
• a first communications unit coupled to the host unit and operable to transmit and receive communications using a first set of frequencies in a first frequency range and associated with a first geographical footprint;
• a plurality of second communications units coupled to the host unit and operable to transmit and receive communications using a second set of frequencies in a second frequency range and associated with a second geographical footprint larger than the first geographical footprint;
• a third communications unit coupled to the host unit and operable to transmit and receive communications using one or more frequencies of the first set of frequencies and associated with a third geographical footprint;
• and
• a plurality of fourth communications units coupled to the host unit and operable to transmit and receive communications using a third set of frequencies in a third frequency range and associated with a fourth geographical footprint larger than the third geographical footprint.