Programmable power supplies for cellular base stations and related methods of reducing power loss in cellular systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of powering a cellular radio that is remote from an associated baseband unit, the method comprising:
- outputting a direct current (“
DC”
) power signal from a power supply and supplying the DC power signal that is output from the power supply to the cellular radio over a power cable; and
adjusting a voltage level of the DC power signal that is output from the power supply so that the DC power signal at a radio end of the power cable that is remote from the power supply has a substantially constant voltage notwithstanding variation in a current level of the DC power signal that is output from the power supply,wherein the substantially constant voltage of the DC power signal at the radio end of the power cable exceeds a nominal power signal voltage of the cellular radio and is within 4 volts of a maximum power signal voltage of the cellular radio so as to reduce power loss in the power cable as compared to the power loss that occurs in the power cable when the DC power signal at the radio end of the power cable is at the nominal power signal voltage.
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Abstract
Methods of powering a radio that is mounted on a tower of a cellular base station are provided in which a direct current (“DC”) power signal is provided to the radio over a power cable and a voltage level of the output of the power supply is adjusted so as to provide a substantially constant voltage at a first end of the power cable that is remote from the power supply. Related cellular base stations and programmable power supplies are also provided.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of powering a cellular radio that is remote from an associated baseband unit, the method comprising:
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outputting a direct current (“
DC”
) power signal from a power supply and supplying the DC power signal that is output from the power supply to the cellular radio over a power cable; andadjusting a voltage level of the DC power signal that is output from the power supply so that the DC power signal at a radio end of the power cable that is remote from the power supply has a substantially constant voltage notwithstanding variation in a current level of the DC power signal that is output from the power supply, wherein the substantially constant voltage of the DC power signal at the radio end of the power cable exceeds a nominal power signal voltage of the cellular radio and is within 4 volts of a maximum power signal voltage of the cellular radio so as to reduce power loss in the power cable as compared to the power loss that occurs in the power cable when the DC power signal at the radio end of the power cable is at the nominal power signal voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of powering a cellular radio that is located remotely from a power supply and that is connected to the power supply by a cabling connection, the method comprising:
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outputting a direct current (“
DC”
) power signal from the power supply and supplying the DC power signal that is output from the power supply to the cellular radio over the cabling connection; andadjusting a voltage level of the DC power signal that is output from the power supply in response to a current level of the DC power signal that is output from the power supply so that a voltage of the DC power signal at a radio end of the cabling connection is maintained at a level that exceeds a nominal DC power supply voltage for the cellular radio by at least 4 Volts and that is less than a maximum power signal voltage of the cellular radio. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method of powering a radio that is mounted on a tower of a cellular base station, or other location remote from an associated baseband unit, the method comprising:
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outputting a direct current (“
DC”
) power signal from a power supply and supplying the DC power signal that is output from the power supply to the radio over a power cable;measuring a voltage of the DC power signal at a radio end of the power cable that is remote from the power supply; communicating information regarding the measured voltage of the DC power signal at the radio end of the power cable to the power supply; and adjusting a voltage level of the DC power signal that is output from the power supply in response to the information regarding the measured voltage of the DC power signal at the radio end of the power cable to maintain the DC power signal at the radio end of the power cable at a substantially constant voltage notwithstanding variation in a current level of the DC power signal, wherein the substantially constant voltage comprises a voltage that exceeds a nominal power signal voltage of the radio and which is less than a maximum power signal voltage of the radio, and wherein the substantially constant voltage is closer to a maximum power signal voltage of the radio than the substantially constant voltage is to the nominal power signal voltage. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification