Methods and equipment for reducing power loss in cellular systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of powering a remote radio head, the method comprising:
- determining a resistance of a power cabling connection between a power supply and the remote radio head, wherein determining the resistance of the power cabling connection comprises measuring a current level and a voltage level of a pulse transmitted by the power supply onto the power cabling connection;
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 remote radio head over the power cabling connection;
measuring a current level of the DC power signal at the power supply;
automatically adjusting a voltage level of the DC power signal in response to changes in the measured current level of the DC power signal.
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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.
67 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of powering a remote radio head, the method comprising:
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determining a resistance of a power cabling connection between a power supply and the remote radio head, wherein determining the resistance of the power cabling connection comprises measuring a current level and a voltage level of a pulse transmitted by the power supply onto the power cabling connection; 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 remote radio head over the power cabling connection; measuring a current level of the DC power signal at the power supply; automatically adjusting a voltage level of the DC power signal in response to changes in the measured current level of the DC power signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A protection circuit for a power cabling connection between a power supply and a remote radio head of a cellular base station, comprising:
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an avalanche diode coupled between a power supply conductor of the power cabling connection and a return conductor of the power cabling connection, wherein the avalanche diode has a reverse breakdown voltage that is selected based on a maximum specified voltage for a power supply signal that is provided to the remote radio head; at least one capacitor electrically coupled between the power supply conductor of the power cabling connection and the return conductor of the power cabling connection, in parallel to the avalanche diode; and a fuse circuit coupled in series with the at least one capacitor between the power supply conductor of the power cabling connection and the return conductor of the power cabling connection. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 14)
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9. A method of determining a resistance of a power cabling connection between a power supply and a remote radio head, the method comprising:
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including a diode between a power supply conductor and a return conductor of the power cabling connection; outputting a reverse direct current (DC) power signal having a first voltage level from the power supply onto the power cabling connection, wherein the reverse DC power signal is different from a DC power signal used to operate the remote radio head; measuring a first current level of a reflection of the reverse DC power signal, wherein the reflection of the reverse DC power signal is received at the power supply via the power cabling connection; and determining the resistance of the power cabling connection based on the first voltage level and the measured first current level. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification