Programmable power supplies for cellular base stations and related methods of reducing power loss in cellular systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a measurement circuit having an input and an output;
wherein the input is configured to be proximate to and coupled to a first end of a power cable proximate to at least one remote radio head coupled to the power cable;
wherein the output is configured to be coupled to a programmable power supply that is coupled to a second end of the power cable, where the second end is opposite the first end, where the programmable power supply is configured to receive DC power from another power supply;
wherein the measurement circuit is configured to measure the voltage on the power cable proximate to the at least one remote radio head; and
wherein the programmable power supply is configured to have its output voltage adjusted in response to the measured voltage, and to vary the voltage at the second end.
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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
40 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a measurement circuit having an input and an output; wherein the input is configured to be proximate to and coupled to a first end of a power cable proximate to at least one remote radio head coupled to the power cable; wherein the output is configured to be coupled to a programmable power supply that is coupled to a second end of the power cable, where the second end is opposite the first end, where the programmable power supply is configured to receive DC power from another power supply; wherein the measurement circuit is configured to measure the voltage on the power cable proximate to the at least one remote radio head; and wherein the programmable power supply is configured to have its output voltage adjusted in response to the measured voltage, and to vary the voltage at the second end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus, comprising:
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a measurement circuit having an input and an output; wherein the input is configured to be proximate to and coupled to a first end of a power cable proximate to at least one remote radio head that is coupled to the power cable; wherein the output is configured to be coupled to a programmable power supply; wherein the programmable power supply is coupled to a second end of the power cable, where the second end is opposite the first end, where the programmable power supply is configured to receive DC power from another power supply; wherein the measurement circuit is configured to measure at least one parameter on the power cable proximate to the at least one remote radio head; wherein the at least one parameter can be used to determine a voltage on the power cable proximate to the at least one remote radio head; and wherein the programmable power supply is configured to have its output voltage adjusted in response to the determined voltage, and vary the voltage at the second end. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, comprising:
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generating DC power in a first power supply; providing the DC power to a programmable power supply; measuring, with a measuring circuit, a voltage proximate to a first end of a power cable proximate to at least one remote radio head coupled to the power cable; and transmitting, from the measurement circuit to the programmable power supply, the measured voltage to automatically affect an adjustment to an output voltage of the programmable power supply coupled to a second end of the power cable, and to affect an adjustment to a voltage at the second end, where the second end is opposite the first end. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method, comprising:
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generating DC power in a first power supply; providing the DC power to a programmable power supply; measuring at least one parameter proximate to a first end of a power cable proximate to at least one remote radio head coupled to the power cable; determining, using the at least one parameter, a voltage proximate to the first end of the power cable proximate to the at least one remote radio head; and transmitting the determined voltage to automatically affect an adjustment to an output voltage of the programmable power supply coupled to a second end of the power cable, and to affect an adjustment to a voltage at the second end, where the second end is opposite the first end. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A system, comprising:
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a mounting structure; an antenna mounted on the mounting structure; at least one remote radio head mounted on the mounting structure; a first power supply configured to generate DC power; a programmable power supply coupled to the first power supply and configured to receive the DC power; a power signal voltage control module co-located with the at least one remote radio head and coupled to the programmable power supply; a power cable having a power supply conductor and a return conductor; wherein the power cable has a first end and a second end, where the first end is opposite the second end, the second end is coupled to the programmable power supply, and the first end is coupled to the power signal voltage control module and the at least one remote radio head; wherein the power signal voltage control module is configured to ascertain a voltage proximate to the first end of the power cable proximate to the at least one remote radio head; and wherein the programmable power supply is configured to have its output voltage adjusted in response to the ascertained voltage, and to vary a voltage at the second end of the power cable, where the second end is coupled to the output voltage. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method, comprising:
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generating DC power in a first power supply; providing the DC power to a programmable power supply; providing electrical power from the programmable power supply to a first end of a power cable; supplying the electrical power over the power cable to at least one remote radio head mounted on a mounting structure; measuring, with a measurement circuit, at least one parameter related to a voltage proximate to a second end of the power cable proximate to the at least one remote radio head, where the first end is opposite the second end; and adjusting the output voltage of the programmable power supply, in response to the measured at least one parameter, to affect an adjustment to a voltage at the first end. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification