Distributed antenna system using time division duplexing scheme

A distributed antenna system, comprising:

• a first master host unit having circuitry, the first master host unit configured to communicate digital signals with a first service provider interface, wherein the first master host unit is further configured to communicate a first digitized spectrum in first N-bit words over a first digital communication link of a plurality of digital communication links coupled to the first master host unit;
• wherein the first master host unit is further configured to interface between the digital signals and the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum;
• a first hybrid expansion unit having circuitry, the first hybrid expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by the first digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and configured to communicate the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first master host unit across the first digital communication link, the first hybrid expansion unit further configured to convert between the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a first set of bands of analog spectrum, wherein the first hybrid expansion unit is further configured to communicate the first set of bands of analog spectrum across a first analog communication link coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit;
• a first analog remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit by the first analog communication link and configured to communicate the first set of bands of analog spectrum across the first analog communication link, the first analog remote antenna unit further configured to communicate first wireless signals over a first air interface using a first antenna;
• a first digital remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by a second digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and configured to communicate second N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first master host unit across the second digital communication link, the first digital remote antenna unit is further configured to communicate second wireless signals over a second air interface using a second antenna;
• wherein the first master host unit is further configured to interface between the digital signals and the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum;
• a first switch positioned in a first data path between the first service provider interface and the first antenna, wherein the first switch is selected between a first transmit path and a first receive path in response to a first switching control signal;
• a second switch positioned in a second data path between the first service provider interface and the second antenna, wherein the second switch is selected between a second transmit path and a second receive path in response to a second switching control signal;
• and
• wherein at least one of:
• at least one of the first master host unit, the first hybrid expansion unit, and the first analog remote antenna unit is further configured to receive the first switching control signal from an external source external to the distributed antenna system;
• and
• at least one of the first master host unit, the first hybrid expansion unit, and the first analog remote antenna unit further includes a first switch signal controller that generates the first switching control signal.

A method comprising:

• interfacing first wireless spectrum between first digital signals and first N-bit words of digitized spectrum using a first master host unit;
• transporting the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum on a first digital medium between the first master host unit and a first hybrid expansion unit;
• converting first wireless spectrum between the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a first set of bands of analog spectrum at the first hybrid expansion unit;
• transporting the first set of bands of analog spectrum on a first analog medium between the first hybrid expansion unit and a first analog remote antenna unit;
• switching the first analog remote antenna unit between a transmit mode and a receive mode based on a first switching control signal;
• when the first analog remote unit is in the transmit mode, transmitting first wireless spectrum at the first analog remote antenna unit using a first antenna;
• when the first analog remote antenna unit is in the receive mode, receiving second wireless spectrum at the first analog remote antenna unit using a second antenna;
• and
• at least one of:
• receiving the first switching control signal from an external source using at least one of the first master host unit, the first hybrid expansion unit, and the first analog remote antenna unit;
• and
• generating the first switching control signal using at least one of the first master host unit, the first hybrid expansion unit, and the first analog remote antenna unit.