Distributed antenna system with combination of both all digital transport and hybrid digital/analog transport

Abstract

A communication system includes master host unit, hybrid expansion unit, analog remote antenna unit, and digital remote antenna unit. Master host unit communicates analog signals with at least a first service provider interface using first bands of analog spectrum. Master host unit and hybrid expansion unit communicate first N-bit words of digitized spectrum over first digital link. Hybrid expansion unit converts between first N-bit words and second bands of analog spectrum. Hybrid expansion unit and analog remote antenna unit communicate second bands over analog medium. Analog remote antenna unit transmits and receives first plurality of wireless signals over air interfaces. Master host unit and digital remote antenna unit communicate second N-bit words of digitized spectrum over second digital link. Digital remote antenna unit converts between second N-bit words and third bands of analog spectrum. Digital remote antenna unit transmits and receives second wireless signals over air interfaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A communication system, comprising:
 a first master host unit adapted to communicate analog signals with at least a first service provider interface using a first set of bands of analog spectrum;   a plurality of digital communication links coupled to the first master host unit, wherein the first master host unit is further adapted to communicate digitized spectrum in first N-bit words over at least a first digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and second N-bit words over at least a second digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links;   the first master host unit further adapted to convert between the first set of bands of analog spectrum and the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum, the first master host unit further adapted to convert between the first set of bands of analog spectrum and the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum;   a 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 adapted 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 adapted to convert between the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a second set of bands of analog spectrum;   a first analog communication link coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit, wherein the first hybrid expansion unit is further adapted to communicate the second set of bands of analog spectrum across the first analog communication link;   a first analog remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit by the first analog communication link and adapted to communicate the second set of bands of analog spectrum with the first hybrid expansion unit across the first analog communication link, the first analog remote antenna unit further adapted to transmit and receive first wireless signals over a first plurality of air interfaces;   a first digital remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by the second digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate the 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 further adapted to convert between the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a third set of bands of analog spectrum, the first digital remote antenna unit further adapted to transmit and receive second wireless signals over a second plurality of air interfaces; and   wherein the first master host unit, the first hybrid expansion unit, the first analog remote antenna unit, and the first digital remote antenna unit are synchronized in time and frequency.   
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of bands of analog spectrum are at the same frequencies as the first set of bands of analog spectrum. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first analog remote antenna unit is further adapted to frequency convert the second set of bands of analog spectrum to a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum are at the same frequencies as the first set of bands of analog spectrum, and wherein at least a subset of the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum are transmitted and received by the first analog remote antenna unit over the first plurality of air interfaces. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the third set of bands of analog spectrum are at the same frequencies as the first set of bands of analog spectrum. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first digital remote antenna unit is further adapted to frequency convert the third set of bands of analog spectrum to a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum, wherein the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum are at the same frequencies as the first set of bands of analog spectrum, and wherein at least a subset of the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum are transmitted and received by the first digital remote antenna unit over the second plurality of air interfaces. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first analog remote antenna unit is part of a first analog remote antenna cluster that includes:
 a master analog remote antenna unit adapted to communicate the second set of bands of analog spectrum with the first hybrid expansion unit across the first analog communication link;   a second analog remote antenna unit adapted to transmit and receive third wireless signals over a third plurality of air interfaces; and   wherein the master analog remote antenna unit distributes a first subset of the second set of bands of analog spectrum to the first analog remote antenna unit and a second subset of the second set of bands of analog spectrum to the second analog remote antenna unit.   
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first digital remote antenna unit includes:
 at least one module adapted to convert between at least a portion of the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a third set of bands of analog spectrum.   
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first digital expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by a third digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate third N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first master host unit across the third digital communication link;   a first digital expansion communication link coupled to the first digital expansion unit, wherein the first digital expansion unit is further adapted to communicate at least a portion of the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum across the first digital expansion communication link; and   a second digital remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first digital expansion unit by the first digital expansion communication link and adapted to communicate the at least a portion of the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first digital expansion unit across the first digital expansion communication link, the second digital remote antenna unit further adapted to convert between the at least a portion of the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum, the second digital remote antenna unit further adapted to transmit and receive third wireless signals over a third plurality of air interfaces.   
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first digital expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by a third digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate third N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first master host unit across the third digital communication link;   a first digital expansion communication link coupled to the first digital expansion unit, wherein the first digital expansion unit is further adapted to communicate at least a portion of the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum across the first digital expansion communication link;   a second hybrid expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first digital expansion unit by the first digital expansion communication link and adapted to communicate the at least a portion of the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first digital expansion unit across the first digital expansion communication link, the second hybrid expansion unit further adapted to convert between the at least a portion of the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum;   a second analog communication link coupled to the second hybrid expansion unit, wherein the second hybrid expansion unit is further adapted to communicate the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum across the second analog communication link; and   a second analog remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the second hybrid expansion unit by the second analog communication link and adapted to communicate the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum with the second hybrid expansion unit across the second analog communication link, the second analog remote antenna unit further adapted to transmit and receive third wireless signals over a third plurality of air interfaces.   
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second master host unit adapted to communicate analog signals with at least a second service provider interface using a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum;   a second plurality of digital communication links coupled to the second master host unit, wherein the second master host unit is further adapted to communicate digitized spectrum in third N-bit words of digitized spectrum over the second plurality of digital communication links;   the second master host unit further adapted to convert between the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum and the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum;   wherein the first hybrid expansion unit is communicatively coupled to the second master host unit by one of the second plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the second master host unit across the one of the second plurality of digital communication links; and   wherein the first hybrid expansion unit multiplexes the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum into the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum before converting between the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum and the second set of bands of analog spectrum.   
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first digital expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by a third digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate third N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first master host unit across the third digital communication link;   a second master host unit adapted to communicate analog signals with at least a second service provider interface using a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum;   a second plurality of digital communication links coupled to the second master host unit, wherein the second master host unit is further adapted to communicate digitized spectrum in fourth N-bit words of digitized spectrum over the second plurality of digital communication links;   the second master host unit further adapted to convert between the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum and the fourth N-bit words of digitized spectrum;   wherein the first digital expansion unit is communicatively coupled to the second master host unit by one of the second plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate the fourth N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the second master host unit across the one of the second plurality of digital communication links;   wherein the first digital expansion unit multiplexes the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum and the fourth N-bit words of digitized spectrum into fifth N-bit words of digitized spectrum; and   a first digital expansion communication link coupled to the first digital expansion unit, wherein the first digital expansion unit is further adapted to communicate the fifth N-bit words of digitized spectrum across the first digital expansion communication link.   
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second digital remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first digital expansion unit by the first digital expansion communication link and adapted to communicate the fifth N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first digital expansion unit across the first digital expansion communication link, the second digital remote antenna unit further adapted to convert between the fifth N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a fifth set of bands of analog spectrum, the second digital remote antenna unit further adapted to transmit and receive third wireless signals over a third plurality of air interfaces.   
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein the first hybrid expansion unit is further adapted to convert between the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum;   a second analog communication link coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit, wherein the first hybrid expansion unit is further adapted to communicate the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum across the second analog communication link; and   a second analog remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit by the second analog communication link and adapted to communicate the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum with the first hybrid expansion unit across the second analog communication link, the second analog remote antenna unit further adapted to transmit and receive third wireless signals over a third plurality of air interfaces.   
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum is the same as at least a portion of the second set of bands of analog spectrum. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second analog remote antenna unit is further adapted to frequency convert the second set of bands of analog spectrum to a fifth set of bands of analog spectrum, wherein the fifth set of bands of analog spectrum are at the same frequencies as the first set of bands of analog spectrum, and wherein at least a subset of the fifth set of bands of analog spectrum are transmitted and received by the second analog remote antenna unit over the third plurality of air interfaces. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first digital remote antenna unit connection link coupled to the first digital remote antenna unit;   a second digital remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first digital remote antenna unit by the first digital remote antenna unit connection link and adapted to communicate third N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first digital remote antenna unit across the first digital remote antenna unit connection link, the second digital remote antenna unit further adapted to convert between the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum, the second digital remote antenna unit further adapted to transmit and receive third wireless signals over a third plurality of air interfaces.   
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum is the same as at least a portion of the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second hybrid expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by a third digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate third N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first master host unit across the third digital communication link, the second hybrid expansion unit further adapted to convert between the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum;   a second analog communication link coupled to the second hybrid expansion unit, wherein the second hybrid expansion unit is further adapted to communicate the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum across the second analog communication link;   a second analog remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the second hybrid expansion unit by the second analog communication link and adapted to communicate the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum with the second hybrid expansion unit across the second analog communication link, the second analog remote antenna unit adapted to transmit and receive third wireless signals over a third plurality of air interfaces.   
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , wherein the second analog remote antenna unit is further adapted to frequency convert the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum to a fifth set of bands of analog spectrum. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the fifth set of bands of analog spectrum are at the same frequencies as the first set of bands of analog spectrum, and wherein at least a subset of the fifth set of bands of analog spectrum are transmitted and received by the second analog remote antenna unit over the third plurality of air interfaces. 
     
     
       22. A method comprising:
 converting first wireless spectrum for a first wireless service between a first band of analog spectrum and a first stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum at a first master host unit;   converting second wireless spectrum for a second wireless service between a second band of analog spectrum and a second stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum at the first master host unit;   in the downstream direction,
 multiplexing at least the first stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the second stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum into a first multiplexed stream at the first master host unit; and 
 multiplexing at least the first stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the second stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum into a second multiplexed stream at the first master host unit; 
   transporting the first multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum on a first digital communication link between the first master host unit and a hybrid expansion unit;   converting the first multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum between N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a third set of bands of analog spectrum at the hybrid expansion unit;   transporting the third set of bands of analog spectrum on a first analog communication link between the hybrid expansion unit and a first analog remote antenna unit;   communicating at least a portion of one of the first wireless spectrum and the second wireless spectrum across at least a first air interface at the first analog remote antenna unit;   transporting the second multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum on a second digital communication link between the first master host unit and a first digital remote antenna unit;   converting the second multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum between N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum at the first digital remote antenna unit;   communicating at least a portion of one of the first wireless spectrum and the second wireless spectrum across at least a second air interface at the first digital remote antenna unit; and   synchronizing the first master host unit, the first hybrid expansion unit, the first analog remote antenna unit, and the first digital remote antenna unit in time and frequency.   
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 in the upstream direction,   demultiplexing the first multiplexed stream into at least the first stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum and the second stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum at the first master host unit; and   demultiplexing the second multiplexed stream into at least the first stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum and the second stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum at the first master host unit.   
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 in the downstream direction,
 multiplexing at least the first stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the second stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum into a third multiplexed stream at the first master host unit; 
   transporting the third multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum on a third digital communication link between the first master host unit and a first digital expansion unit;   transporting the third multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum on a first digital expansion communication link between the first digital expansion unit and a second digital remote antenna unit;   converting the third multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum between N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a fifth set of bands of analog spectrum at the second digital remote antenna unit; and   communicating at least a portion of one of the first wireless spectrum and the second wireless spectrum across at least a third air interface at the second digital remote antenna unit.   
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 in the upstream direction,
 demultiplexing the third multiplexed stream into at least the first stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum and the second stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum at the first master host unit. 
   
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 22 , wherein converting the first multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum between N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a third set of bands of analog spectrum at the hybrid expansion unit includes at least one of:
 in the downstream,
 demultiplexing the first multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum into first component parts; 
 converting the demultiplexed first component parts from N-bit words of digitized spectrum to analog spectrum; and 
 multiplexing the first component parts together into the third set of bands of analog spectrum; and 
   in the upstream,
 demultiplexing the third set of bands of analog spectrum into second component parts; 
 converting the demultiplexed second component parts from analog spectrum to N-bit words of digitized spectrum and 
 multiplexing the second component parts together into the first multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum. 
   
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 22 , wherein converting the second multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum between N-bit words of digitized spectrum and fourth set of bands of analog spectrum at the first digital remote antenna unit includes at least one of:
 in the downstream,
 demultiplexing the second multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum into first component parts; 
 converting the demultiplexed first component parts from N-bit words of digitized spectrum to analog spectrum and 
 multiplexing the first component parts together into the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum and 
   in the upstream,
 demultiplexing the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum into second component parts; 
 converting the demultiplexed second component parts from analog spectrum to N-bit words of digitized spectrum; and 
 multiplexing the second component parts together into the second multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum. 
   
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 22 , wherein transporting the first multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum on a first digital communication link between the first master host unit and a hybrid expansion unit includes:
 converting the first multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum between an electrical signal and an optical signal; and   wherein the first digital communication link includes at least one optical communication medium.   
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 22 , wherein transporting the second multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum on a second digital communication link between the first master host unit and the first digital remote antenna unit includes:
 converting the second multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum between an electrical signal and an optical signal; and   wherein the second digital communication link includes at least one optical communication medium.   
     
     
       30. A communication system, comprising:
 a first master host unit adapted to communicate analog signals with at least a first service provider interface using a first set of bands of analog spectrum;   a plurality of digital communication links coupled to the first master host unit, wherein the first master host unit is further adapted to communicate digitized spectrum in first N-bit words over the plurality of digital communication links;   the first master host unit further adapted to convert between the first set of bands of analog spectrum and the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum;   a first hybrid expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by a first digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and adapted 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 adapted to convert between the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a second set of bands of analog spectrum;   a first analog communication link coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit, wherein the first hybrid expansion unit is further adapted to communicate the second set of bands of analog spectrum across the first analog communication link;   a first analog remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit by the first analog communication link and adapted to communicate the second set of bands of analog spectrum with the first hybrid expansion unit across the first analog communication link, the first analog remote antenna unit further adapted to transmit and receive first wireless signals over a first plurality of air interfaces;   a first digital expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by a second digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate second N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first master host unit across the second digital communication link;   a first digital expansion communication link coupled to the first digital expansion unit, wherein the first digital expansion unit is further adapted to communicate the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum across the first digital expansion communication link;   a first digital remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first digital expansion unit by the first digital expansion communication link and adapted to convert between the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a third set of bands of analog spectrum, the first digital remote antenna unit adapted to transmit and receive second wireless signals over a second plurality of air interfaces; and   wherein the first master host unit, the first hybrid expansion unit, the first analog remote antenna unit, the first digital expansion unit, and the first digital remote antenna unit are synchronized in time and frequency.   
     
     
       31. The system of  claim 30 , wherein the second set of bands of analog spectrum are at the same frequencies as the first set of bands of analog spectrum. 
     
     
       32. The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first analog remote antenna unit is further adapted to frequency convert the second set of bands of analog spectrum to a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum. 
     
     
       33. The system of  claim 32 , wherein the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum are at the same frequencies as the first set of bands of analog spectrum, and wherein at least a subset of the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum are transmitted and received by the first analog remote antenna unit over the first plurality of air interfaces. 
     
     
       34. The system of  claim 30 , wherein the third set of bands of analog spectrum are at the same frequencies as the first set of bands of analog spectrum. 
     
     
       35. The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first digital remote antenna unit is further adapted to frequency convert the third set of bands of analog spectrum to a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum, wherein the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum are at the same frequencies as the first set of bands of analog spectrum, and wherein at least a subset of the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum are transmitted and received by the first digital remote antenna unit over the second plurality of air interfaces. 
     
     
       36. The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first analog remote antenna unit is part of a first analog remote antenna cluster that includes:
 a master analog remote antenna unit adapted to communicate the second set of bands of analog spectrum with the first hybrid expansion unit across the first analog communication link;   a second analog remote antenna unit adapted to transmit and receive third wireless signals over a third plurality of air interfaces; and   wherein the master analog remote antenna unit distributes a first subset of the second set of bands of analog spectrum to the first analog remote antenna unit and a second subset of the second set of bands of analog spectrum to the second analog remote antenna unit.   
     
     
       37. The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first digital remote antenna unit further includes:
 at least one module adapted to convert between at least a portion of the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a third set of bands of analog spectrum.   
     
     
       38. The system of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a second master host unit adapted to communicate analog signals with at least a second service provider interface using a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum;   a second plurality of digital communication links coupled to the second master host unit, wherein the second master host unit is further adapted to communicate digitized spectrum in third N-bit words of digitized spectrum over the second plurality of digital communication links;   the second master host unit further adapted to convert between the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum and the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum; and   wherein the first digital expansion unit is communicatively coupled to the second master host unit by one of the second plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first master host unit across the one of the second plurality of digital communication links; and   wherein the first digital expansion unit multiplexes the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum and the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum into fourth N-bit words of digitized spectrum; and   a first digital expansion communication link coupled to the first digital expansion unit, wherein the first digital expansion unit is further adapted to communicate the fourth N-bit words of digitized spectrum across the first digital expansion communication link.   
     
     
       39. The communication system of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a second digital expansion communication link coupled to the first digital expansion unit, wherein the first digital expansion unit is further adapted to communicate third N-bit words of digitized spectrum across the second digital expansion communication link;   a second hybrid expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first digital expansion unit by the second digital expansion communication link and adapted to communicate the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first digital expansion unit across the second digital expansion communication link, the second hybrid expansion unit further adapted to convert between the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum; and   a second analog communication link coupled to the second hybrid expansion unit, wherein the second hybrid expansion unit is further adapted to communicate the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum across the second analog communication link.   
     
     
       40. The communication system of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 a second analog remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the second hybrid expansion unit by the second analog communication link and adapted to communicate the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum with the second hybrid expansion unit across the second analog communication link, the second analog remote antenna unit further adapted to transmit and receive third wireless signals over a third plurality of air interfaces.   
     
     
       41. A communication system, comprising:
 a first master host unit adapted to communicate analog signals with at least a first service provider interface using a first set of bands of analog spectrum;   a first digital communication link coupled to the first master host unit, wherein the first master host unit is further adapted to communicate digitized spectrum in first N-bit words over the first digital communication link;   the first master host unit further adapted to convert between the first set of bands of analog spectrum and the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum;   a first digital expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by the first digital communication link and adapted to communicate the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first master host unit across the first digital communication link;   a first digital expansion communication link coupled to the first digital expansion unit, wherein the first digital expansion unit is further adapted to communicate digitized spectrum in second N-bit words across the first digital expansion communication link;   a first hybrid expansion unit communicatively coupled to the first digital expansion unit by the first digital expansion communication link of the plurality of digital expansion communication links and adapted to communicate the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the first digital expansion unit across the first digital expansion communication link, the first hybrid expansion unit adapted to convert between the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a second set of bands of analog spectrum;   a first analog communication link coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit, wherein the first hybrid expansion unit is further adapted to communicate the second set of bands of analog spectrum across the first analog communication link;   a first analog remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit by the first analog communication link and adapted to communicate the second set of bands of analog spectrum with the first hybrid expansion unit across the first analog communication link, the first analog remote antenna unit further adapted to transmit and receive first wireless signals over a first plurality of air interfaces; and   wherein the first master host unit, the first digital expansion unit, the first hybrid expansion unit, the first analog remote antenna unit, and the first digital remote antenna unit are synchronized in time and frequency.   
     
     
       42. The system of  claim 41 , wherein at least a portion of the first N-bit words is the same as at least a portion of the second N-bit words. 
     
     
       43. The system of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 a second digital expansion communication link coupled to the first digital expansion unit, wherein the first digital expansion unit is further adapted to communicate digitized spectrum in third N-bit words across the second digital expansion communication link; and   a first digital remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first digital expansion unit by the second digital expansion communication link of the plurality of digital expansion communication links and adapted to convert between the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a third set of bands of analog spectrum, the first digital remote antenna unit adapted to transmit and receive second wireless signals over a second plurality of air interfaces.   
     
     
       44. The system of  claim 43 , wherein at least a portion of the first N-bit words is the same as at least a portion of the third N-bit words. 
     
     
       45. The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second N-bit words is the same as at least a portion of the first N-bit words. 
     
     
       46. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first analog communication link includes a wired analog communication medium. 
     
     
       47. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first digital communication link includes a wired digital communication medium. 
     
     
       48. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second digital communication link includes a wired digital communication medium. 
     
     
       49. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second master host unit adapted to communicate analog signals with at least a second service provider interface using a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum;   a second plurality of digital communication links coupled to the second master host unit, wherein the second master host unit is further adapted to communicate digitized spectrum in third N-bit words of digitized spectrum over the second plurality of digital communication links;   the second master host unit further adapted to convert between the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum and the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum;   wherein the first hybrid expansion unit is communicatively coupled to the second master host unit by one of the second plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the second master host unit across the one of the second plurality of digital communication links; and   wherein the first hybrid expansion unit multiplexes the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum into the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum before converting between the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum and the second set of bands of analog spectrum.   
     
     
       50. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second master host unit adapted to communicate analog signals with at least a second service provider interface using a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum;   a second plurality of digital communication links coupled to the second master host unit, wherein the second master host unit is further adapted to communicate digitized spectrum in third N-bit words of digitized spectrum over the second plurality of digital communication links;   the second master host unit further adapted to convert between the fourth set of bands of analog spectrum and the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum; and   wherein the first digital remote antenna unit is communicatively coupled to the second master host unit by one of the second plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate the third N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the second master host unit across the one of the second plurality of digital communication links.   
     
     
       51. The method of  claim 22 , wherein at least a portion of the second stream of N-bit words is the same as at least a portion of the first stream of N-bit words. 
     
     
       52. The method of  claim 22 , wherein the first analog communication link includes a wired analog communication medium. 
     
     
       53. The system of  claim 30 , wherein at least a portion of the second N-bit words is the same as at least a portion of the first N-bit words. 
     
     
       54. The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first analog communication link includes a wired analog communication medium. 
     
     
       55. The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first digital communication link includes a first wired digital communication medium;
 wherein the second digital communication link includes a second wired digital communication medium; and   wherein the first digital expansion communication link includes a wired digital communication medium.   
     
     
       56. The system of  claim 41 , wherein at least a portion of the second N-bit words is the same as at least a portion of the first N-bit words. 
     
     
       57. The system of  claim 41 , wherein the first analog communication link includes a wired analog communication medium. 
     
     
       58. The system of  claim 41 , wherein the first digital communication link includes a first wired digital communication medium;
 wherein the second digital communication link includes a second wired digital communication medium; and   wherein the first digital expansion communication link includes a wired digital communication medium.   
     
     
       59. A communication system, comprising:
 a first master host unit adapted to communicate analog signals with at least a first service provider interface using a first set of bands of analog spectrum;   a plurality of digital communication links coupled to the first master host unit, wherein the first master host unit is further adapted to communicate digitized spectrum in first N-bit words over at least a first digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and second N-bit words over at least a second digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links;   the first master host unit further adapted to convert between the first set of bands of analog spectrum and the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum, the first master host unit further adapted to convert between the first set of bands of analog spectrum and the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum;   a 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 adapted 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 adapted to convert between the first N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a second set of bands of analog spectrum;   a first analog communication link coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit, wherein the first hybrid expansion unit is further adapted to communicate the second set of bands of analog spectrum across the first analog communication link;   a first analog remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first hybrid expansion unit by the first analog communication link and adapted to communicate the second set of bands of analog spectrum with the first hybrid expansion unit across the first analog communication link, the first analog remote antenna unit further adapted to transmit and receive first wireless signals over a first plurality of air interfaces;   a first digital remote antenna unit communicatively coupled to the first master host unit by the second digital communication link of the plurality of digital communication links and adapted to communicate the 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 further adapted to convert between the second N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a third set of bands of analog spectrum, the first digital remote antenna unit further adapted to transmit and receive second wireless signals over a second plurality of air interfaces; and   wherein a common reference clock is distributed to wherein the first master host unit, the first hybrid expansion unit, the first analog remote antenna unit, and the first digital remote antenna unit.   
     
     
       60. The system of  claim 59 , wherein at least a portion of the second N-bit words is the same as at least a portion of the first N-bit words. 
     
     
       61. A method comprising:
 converting first wireless spectrum for a first wireless service between a first band of analog spectrum and a first stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum at a first master host unit;   converting second wireless spectrum for a second wireless service between a second band of analog spectrum and a second stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum at the first master host unit;   in the downstream direction,
 multiplexing at least the first stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the second stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum into a first multiplexed stream at the first master host unit; and 
 multiplexing at least the first stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum with the second stream of N-bit words of digitized spectrum into a second multiplexed stream at the first master host unit; 
   transporting the first multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum on a first digital communication link between the first master host unit and a hybrid expansion unit;   converting the first multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum between N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a third set of bands of analog spectrum at the hybrid expansion unit;   transporting the third set of bands of analog spectrum on a first analog communication link between the hybrid expansion unit and a first analog remote antenna unit;   communicating at least a portion of one of the first wireless spectrum and the second wireless spectrum across at least a first air interface at the first analog remote antenna unit;   transporting the second multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum on a second digital communication link between the first master host unit and a first digital remote antenna unit;   converting the second multiplexed stream of wireless spectrum between N-bit words of digitized spectrum and a fourth set of bands of analog spectrum at the first digital remote antenna unit;   communicating at least a portion of one of the first wireless spectrum and the second wireless spectrum across at least a second air interface at the first digital remote antenna unit; and   distributing a common reference clock to the first master host unit, the first hybrid expansion unit, the first analog remote antenna unit, and the first digital remote antenna unit.   
     
     
       62. The method of  claim 61 , wherein at least a portion of the second N-bit words is the same as at least a portion of the first N-bit words. 
     
     
       63. A communication system, comprising:
 a master host unit configured to generate digital data;   a digital remote unit communicatively coupled to the master host unit and configured to receive digital data from the master host unit;   a hybrid expansion unit communicatively coupled to the master host unit and configured to receive digital data from the master host unit, wherein the hybrid expansion unit is further configured to convert the digital data received from the master host unit into analog signals;   at least one analog remote antenna unit remotely located from and communicatively coupled to the hybrid expansion unit, wherein the at least one analog remote antenna unit is configured to receive the analog signals from the hybrid expansion unit and to transmit analog radio frequency signals wirelessly using at least one antenna; and   wherein the communication system is configured so that all conversion of the digital data generated by the master host unit into any respective analog signals occurring in the communication system is synchronized in time and frequency.    
     
     
       64. The communication system of claim 63, wherein the at least one analog remote antenna unit includes a plurality of remote antenna units.  
     
     
       65. The communication system of claim 64, wherein the at least one analog remote antenna unit includes a cluster of analog remote antenna units having a master analog remote antenna unit and a plurality of slave analog remote antenna units.  
     
     
       66. The communication system of claim 63, wherein the analog signals include at least one intermediate frequency signal.  
     
     
       67. The communication system of claim 63, wherein the at least one remote antenna unit is configured to receive the analog signals from the hybrid expansion unit across at least one of: at least one coaxial cable, at least one twisted pair wire, at least one CATV fiber, or at least one optical fiber.  
     
     
       68. The communication system of claim 63, wherein the at least one analog remote antenna unit is configured to:
 convert the analog signals from the hybrid expansion unit into the analog radio frequency signals.    
     
     
       69. The communication system of claim 63, wherein the at least one remote antenna unit is configured to:
 transmit the analog radio frequency signals wirelessly to at least one mobile device over at least one air interface using the at least one antenna.    
     
     
       70. A communication system, comprising:
 a first unit having first circuitry configured to generate digital data;   a second unit having second circuitry, the second unit communicatively coupled to the first unit, the second circuitry configured to receive digital data from the first unit;   a third unit having third circuitry, the third unit communicatively coupled to the first unit, the third circuitry configured to:
 receive digital data from the first unit; and 
 convert the digital data received from the first unit into analog signals; 
   at least one fourth unit having fourth circuitry, the at least one fourth unit remotely located from and communicatively coupled to the third unit, the fourth circuitry configured to:
 receive the analog signals from the third unit; and 
 transmit analog radio frequency signals wirelessly using at least one antenna; and 
   wherein the communication system is configured so that all conversion of the digital data generated by the first unit into any respective analog signals occurring in the communication system is synchronized in time and frequency.    
     
     
       71. The communication system of claim 70, wherein the at least one fourth unit includes a plurality of fourth units.  
     
     
       72. The communication system of claim 71, wherein the at least one fourth unit includes a cluster of analog remote antenna units having a master analog remote antenna unit and a plurality of slave analog remote antenna units.  
     
     
       73. The communication system of claim 70, wherein the analog signals include at least one intermediate frequency signal.  
     
     
       74. The communication system of claim 70, wherein the fourth circuitry is configured to receive the analog signals from the third unit across at least one of: at least one coaxial cable, at least one twisted pair wire, at least one CATV fiber, or at least one optical fiber.  
     
     
       75. The communication system of claim 70, wherein the fourth circuitry is configured to:
 transmit the analog radio frequency signals wirelessly to at least one mobile device over at least one air interface using the at least one antenna.    
     
     
       76. A method, comprising:
 generating digital data at a master host unit of a communication system, the communication system configured so that all conversion of the digital data generated by the master host unit into any respective analog signals occurring in the communication system is synchronized in time and frequency;   receiving digital data from the master host unit at a digital remote unit of the communication system;   receiving digital data at a hybrid expansion unit of a communication system;   converting the digital data received from the master host unit into analog signals;   receiving the analog signals from the hybrid expansion unit at at least one analog remote antenna unit remotely located from and communicatively coupled to the hybrid expansion unit; and   transmitting analog radio frequency signals wirelessly from the at least one analog remote antenna unit using at least one antenna.    
     
     
       77. The method of claim 76, wherein the at least one analog remote antenna unit includes a plurality of remote antenna units.  
     
     
       78. The method of claim 77, wherein the at least one analog remote antenna unit includes a cluster of analog remote antenna units having a master analog remote antenna unit and a plurality of slave analog remote antenna units.  
     
     
       79. The method of claim 76, wherein the analog signals include at least one intermediate frequency signal.  
     
     
       80. The method of claim 76, further comprising:
 receiving the analog signals from the hybrid expansion unit at the at least one remote antenna unit across at least one of: at least one coaxial cable, at least one twisted pair wire, at least one CATV fiber, or at least one optical fiber.    
     
     
       81. The method of claim 76, further comprising:
 converting the analog signals from the hybrid expansion unit into the analog radio frequency signals at the at least one analog remote antenna unit.    
     
     
       82. The method of claim 76, further comprising:
 transmitting the analog radio frequency signals wirelessly from the at least one analog remote antenna unit to at least one mobile device using the at least one antenna over at least one air interface.