Method and apparatus for muting a digital link in a distributed antenna system

A device for processing signals a distributed antenna system (DAS), the device comprising:

• a first signal path for transporting digital data signals;
• a controller for monitoring events affecting the first signal path;
• and
• a muting module coupled to the controller, wherein the muting module controls muting of a signal power of the first signal path as directed by the controller;
• wherein the muting module applies a hard clamping to mute the signal power of the first signal path when the controller identifies an unplanned event;
• wherein the muting module applies a ramp to mute the signal power of the first signal path when the controller identified a planned event.

A method for muting a signal in a radio frequency (RF) processing board, the method comprising:

• transporting digital data signals through a data path on the RF processing board;
• monitoring events affecting the data path;
• when an unplanned event is identified, applying a hard clamping to mute the signal power of the data path;
• and
• when a planned event is identified, applying a ramp to mute the signal power of the data path.