Power distribution module(s) capable of hot connection and/or disconnection for wireless communication systems, and related power units, components, and methods

• US 10,454,270 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2017
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Blackwell, Jr., Chois Alven, Brower, Boyd Grant, Cox, Terry Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Dinh T
• Application Number:
  US15/614,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20170271870A1
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 307104
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25753 Distribution optical network, e.g. between a base station and a plurality of remote units
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25758 between a central unit and a single remote unit by means of an optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/808 Electrical power feeding of an optical transmission system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/413 with random access, e.g. carrier-sense multiple-access with collision detection [CSMA-CD]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

Power distribution modules are configured to distribute power to a power-consuming component(s), such as a remote antenna unit(s) (RAU(s)). By “hot” connection and/or disconnection, the power distribution modules can be connected and/or disconnected from a power unit and/or a power-consuming component(s) while power is being provided to the power distribution modules. Power is not required to be disabled in the power unit before connection and/or disconnection of power distribution modules. The power distribution modules may be configured to protect against or reduce electrical arcing or electrical contact erosion that may otherwise result from “hot” connection and/or connection of the power distribution modules.

Claims

1. A system for distributing power to a power-consuming device in a wireless communication system, comprising:

an external input power connector configured to be electrically coupled to an external power source to supply power to the external input power connector; and

a power distribution module, comprising;

an input power port configured to receive input power from the external input power connector; and

at least one power controller comprising a power enable port, the at least one power controller configured to selectively distribute output power based on the input power to at least one output power port based on a power enable signal coupled to the power enable port;

wherein the external input power connector comprises at least one external input power conductor configured to be electrically coupled to the input power port and at least one external input power enable conductor configured to be electrically coupled to the power enable port.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one power converter electrically coupled to the input power port, the at least one power converter configured to:

receive the input power from the external power source when the external input power connector is electrically coupled to the input power port;

convert the input power to the output power; and

distribute the output power to at least one power controller.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one external input power conductor is comprised of at least one external input power connector pin, and the at least one external input power enable conductor is comprised of at least one external input power enable pin.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one external input power enable pin is shorter in length than the at least one external input power connector pin, such that when the at least one external input power conductor is electrically coupled to the external power source, an electrical connection is established to the at least one external input power connector pin before an electrical connection is established to the at least one external input power enable pin.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one power controller is configured to distribute the output power to the at least one output power port if the power enable signal coupled to the power enable port indicates to activate power.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one power controller is configured to not distribute the output power to the at least one output power port if the power enable signal coupled to the power enable port indicates to deactivate power.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the input power port comprises at least one input power conductor configured to receive the input power and at least one input power enable conductor electrically coupled to the power enable port.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one output power port comprises at least one output power conductor configured to receive the input power and at least one output power enable conductor electrically coupled to the power enable port.

9. A system for distributing power to a power-consuming device in a wireless communication system, comprising:

at least one external output power connector configured to be electrically coupled to at least one output power port of a power distribution module to receive power from the power distribution module; and

the power distribution module, comprising;

an input power port configured to receive input power from an external power source;

at least one output power port configured to receive output power and distribute the output power to at least one wireless communication system power-consuming device electrically coupled to the at least one output power port; and

at least one power controller comprising a power enable port, the at least one power controller configured to selectively distribute output power based on the input power to the at least one output power port based on a power enable signal coupled to the power enable port;

wherein the at least one external output power connector comprises at least one external output power conductor configured to be electrically coupled to the at least one output power port and at least one external output power enable conductor configured to be electrically coupled to the power enable port.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising at least one power converter electrically coupled to the input power port, the at least one power converter configured to:

receive input power from the external power source when the external power source is electrically connected to the input power port;

convert the input power to output power; and

distribute the output power to at least one power controller.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one external output power conductor is comprised of at least one external output power connector pin, and the at least one external output power enable conductor is comprised of at least one external output power enable pin.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one external output power enable pin is shorter in length than the at least one external output power connector pin, such that when the at least one external output power conductor is electrically coupled to the at least one output power port, an electrical connection is established to the at least one external output power connector pin before an electrical connection is established to the at least one external output power enable pin.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one external output power conductor is disposed in an external power cable.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one power controller is configured to distribute the output power to the at least one output power port if the power enable signal coupled to the power enable port indicates to activate power.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one power controller is configured to not distribute the output power to the at least one output power port if the power enable signal coupled to the power enable port indicates to deactivate power.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the input power port comprises at least one input power conductor electrically coupled to the at least one power converter and at least one input power enable conductor electrically coupled to the power enable port.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one output power port comprises at least one output power conductor electrically coupled to the at least one power converter and at least one output power enable conductor electrically coupled to the power enable port.

18. A power unit for distributing power to a power-consuming device in a wireless communication system, comprising:

a chassis;

an external input power connector disposed in the chassis, the external input power connector configured to be electrically coupled to an external power source to supply power to the external input power connector; and

at least one external output power connector disposed in the chassis, the at least one external output power connector configured to be electrically coupled to at least one output power port of a power distribution module to receive power from the power distribution module; and

at least one power distribution module, comprising;

an input power port configured to receive input power from an external power source;

at least one output power port configured to receive output power and distribute the output power to at least one wireless communication system power-consuming device electrically coupled to the at least one output power port; and

at least one power controller comprising a power enable port, the at least one power controller configured to selectively distribute output power based on the input power to the at least one output power port based on a power enable signal coupled to the power enable port;

wherein the external input power connector comprises at least one external input power conductor configured to be electrically coupled to the input power port and at least one external input power enable conductor configured to be electrically coupled to the power enable port; and

wherein the at least one external output power connector comprises at least one external output power conductor configured to be electrically coupled to the at least one output power port and at least one external output power enable conductor configured to be electrically coupled to the power enable port.

19. The power unit of claim 18, further comprising at least one power converter electrically coupled to the input power port, the at least one power converter configured to:

receive input power from the external power source when the external power source is electrically connected to the input power port;

convert the input power to output power; and

distribute the output power to the at least one power controller.

20. The power unit of claim 18, wherein the at least one power controller is configured to distribute the output power to the at least one output power port if the power enable signal coupled to the power enable port indicates to activate power.

21. The power unit of claim 18, wherein the at least one power controller is configured to not distribute the output power to the at least one output power port if the power enable signal coupled to the power enable port indicates to deactivate power.