Power management for distributed communication systems, and related components, systems, and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A remote unit for use in a distributed communication system, comprising:
- a first power input configured to receive a first power signal from a power distribution module;
a power sensor configured to measure power from the first power input;
a plurality of switches associated with a plurality of communication services supported by the remote unit; and
a control system configured to;
open the plurality of switches to deactivate all of the plurality of communication services in the remote unit such that no communication service is active in the remote unit;
measure, using the power sensor, a first power consumption level indicative of no communication services being active in the remote unit;
close at least one of the plurality of switches to selectively activate at least one of the plurality of communication services in the remote unit that require power for transmitting and receiving communication signals, where the at least one of the plurality of communication services consumes power such that a second power consumption level is generated;
measure, using the power sensor, the second power consumption level, the second power consumption level being indicative of the at least one of the plurality of communication services being active in the remote unit;
calculate a maximum available power for the remote unit based at least in part on the measured first power consumption level and the measured second power consumption level;
compare the maximum available power for the remote unit to an expected power demand of all of the plurality of communication services active in the remote unit; and
reduce transmission power for one or more communication services if the calculated maximum available power is insufficient for all of the plurality of communication services active in the remote unit.
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Abstract
Power management techniques in distributed communication systems are disclosed herein. Related components, systems, and methods are also disclosed. In embodiments disclosed herein, services within a remote unit of the distributed communication system are selectively activated and power consumption is measured. From at least two measurements, a maximum power available may be calculated and compared to power requirements of the remote unit.
505 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A remote unit for use in a distributed communication system, comprising:
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a first power input configured to receive a first power signal from a power distribution module; a power sensor configured to measure power from the first power input; a plurality of switches associated with a plurality of communication services supported by the remote unit; and a control system configured to; open the plurality of switches to deactivate all of the plurality of communication services in the remote unit such that no communication service is active in the remote unit; measure, using the power sensor, a first power consumption level indicative of no communication services being active in the remote unit; close at least one of the plurality of switches to selectively activate at least one of the plurality of communication services in the remote unit that require power for transmitting and receiving communication signals, where the at least one of the plurality of communication services consumes power such that a second power consumption level is generated; measure, using the power sensor, the second power consumption level, the second power consumption level being indicative of the at least one of the plurality of communication services being active in the remote unit; calculate a maximum available power for the remote unit based at least in part on the measured first power consumption level and the measured second power consumption level; compare the maximum available power for the remote unit to an expected power demand of all of the plurality of communication services active in the remote unit; and reduce transmission power for one or more communication services if the calculated maximum available power is insufficient for all of the plurality of communication services active in the remote unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of managing power in a remote unit of a distributed communication system, the method comprising:
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installing at least one communication service module in the remote unit; connecting at least one power supply to the remote unit; opening each of a plurality of switches located in the remote unit and associated with a plurality of communication services supported by the remote unit to deactivate all communication services in the remote unit such that no communication service is active in the remote unit; measuring, using a power sensor located in the remote unit, a first power consumption level indicative of no communication services being active in the remote unit; closing at least one of the plurality of switches to selectively activate at least one of the plurality of communication services in the remote unit that requires power for transmitting and receiving communication signals, where the at least one of the plurality of communication services consumes power such that a second power consumption level is generated; measuring, using the power sensor, the second power consumption level, the second power consumption level being indicative of the at least one of the plurality of communication services being active in the remote unit; calculating a maximum available power for the remote unit based at least in part on the measured first power consumption level and the measured second power consumption level; comparing the maximum available power for the remote unit to an expected power demand of all communication services active in the remote unit; and reducing transmission power for one or more communication services if the calculated maximum available power is insufficient for all of the plurality of communication services active in the remote unit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A remote unit for use in a distributed communication system, comprising:
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a first power input configured to receive a first power signal from a power distribution module through an electrical power line; a power sensor comprising a current sensor configured to measure a current at the remote unit (IRAU) and a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage at the remote unit (VRAU); and a control system configured to; activate a first set of communication services in a remote unit selectively to generate a first VPS defined by;
VPS=IRAU#1*RLINE+VRAU#1, where VPS is a voltage supplied from the power distribution module, RLINE is a resistance associated with the first electrical medium electrical power line, and IRAU#1 and VRAU#1 are measured values for the current and voltage, respectively, at the remote unit received from the power sensor for the first set of communication services;activate a second set of communication services in the remote unit selectively to generate a second VPS defined by VPS=IRAU#2*RLINE+VRAU#2, where IRAU#2 and VRAU#2 are measured values for the current and voltage, respectively, at the remote unit received from the power sensor for the second set of communication services; solve for VPS and RLINE to calculate a maximum available power for the remote unit; compare the maximum available power for the remote unit to an expected power demand of all communication services active in the remote unit; and reduce transmission power for one or more communication services if the calculated maximum available power is insufficient for all communication services active in the remote unit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification