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

• US 9,685,782 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2013
• Issued: 06/20/2017
• 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, Cox, Terry Dean, Brower, Boyd Grant
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUKHARI, AQEEL H
• Application Number:
  US13/899,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20130249292A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,491 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 capable of “hot” connection and/or disconnection in distributed antenna systems (DAS), and related components, power units, and methods are disclosed. The power distribution modules are configured to distribute power to a power-consuming DAS component(s), such as a remote antenna unit(s) (RAU(s)). By “hot” connection and/or disconnection, it is meant that the power distribution modules can be connected and/or disconnected from a power unit and/or a power-consuming DAS 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. As a non-limiting example, 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 power distribution module for distributing power in a distributed antenna system, 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 distributed antenna system (DAS) 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 the 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.

2. The power distribution module 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 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 the output power; and

distribute the output power to at least one power controller.

3. The power distribution module 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.

4. The power distribution module 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.

5. The power distribution module of claim 1, wherein the at least one output power port is comprised of a plurality of output power ports configured to distribute power to a plurality of power-consuming DAS components electrically coupled to the plurality of output power ports.

6. The power distribution module of claim 1, 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.

7. The power distribution module of claim 6, wherein the at least one input power conductor is configured to receive the input power from the external power source when the external power source is coupled to the input power port.

8. The power distribution module of claim 6, wherein the at least one input power enable conductor is configured to receive a power enable signal.

9. The power distribution module of claim 6, wherein the at least one input power conductor is comprised of at least one input power connector receptacle, and the at least one input power enable conductor is comprised of at least one input power enable receptacle.

10. The power distribution module of claim 6, wherein the at least one input power conductor is comprised of at least one input power connector pin, and the at least one input power enable conductor is comprised of at least one input power enable pin.

11. The power distribution module of claim 10, wherein the at least one input power enable pin is shorter in length than the at least one input power connector pin, such that when the at least one input power conductor is electrically coupled to the external power source, an electrical connection is established to the at least one input power connector pin before an electrical connection is established to the at least one input power enable pin.

12. The power distribution module of claim 1, 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.

13. The power distribution module of claim 12, wherein the at least one output power conductor is configured to receive the output power from the at least one power controller when the external power source is coupled to the input power port and the power enable port receives the power enable signal indicating to distribute power.

14. The power distribution module of claim 13, wherein the at least one output power enable conductor is configured to receive a power enable signal.

15. The power distribution module of claim 12, wherein the at least one output power conductor is comprised of at least one output power connector receptacle, and the at least one output power enable conductor is comprised of at least one output power enable receptacle.

16. The power distribution module of claim 12, wherein the at least one output power conductor is comprised of at least one output power connector pin, and the at least one output power enable conductor is comprised of at least one output power enable pin.

17. The power distribution module of claim 16, wherein the at least one output power enable pin is shorter in length than the at least one output power connector pin, such that when the at least one output power conductor is electrically coupled to the at least one DAS power-consuming device, an electrical connection is established to the at least one output power connector pin before an electrical connection is established to the at least one output power enable pin.

18. The power distribution module of claim 1, wherein the at least one DAS power-consuming device is comprised of at least one remote antenna unit (RAU).

19. The power distribution module of claim 2, wherein the at least one power converter is configured to convert alternating current (AC) input power from the external power source to direct current (DC) output power.

21. The power distribution module of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of output power connectors and wherein:

the input power port is part of a connector;

the power enable port is coupled to a power enable line; and

a source of the power enable signal is configured to close a circuit on the power enable line until each conductor of the plurality of output power connectors of the power distribution module is electrically coupled to a midplane interface connector of a power unit of the distributed antenna system via the connector, wherein the connector is complementary with the midplane interface connector.

20. A method of distributing power from a power distribution module to at least one power-consuming distributed antenna system (DAS) component in a DAS, comprising:

receiving input power from an external power source electrically connected to an input power port;

selectively distributing from at least one power controller, output power based on the input power to at least one output power port based on a power enable signal coupled to a power enable port on the at least one power controller; and

distributing the output power from the at least one output power port to the at least one power-consuming DAS component electrically coupled to the at least one output power port.