Base Station Power Management System for Extended Backup Duration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial wireless communications service providers face challenges with power outages at base stations, as existing backup power systems, such as generators and batteries, often fail to provide sufficient power during lengthy outages and require frequent maintenance, especially with increasing user reliance on wireless services and regulatory demands for extended backup power durations.
Innovation Solution
A power management system for base stations that includes a power controller, rectifier and switch circuit, battery circuit, and generator, which dynamically balances power sources to optimize efficiency and extend backup power duration by selectively enabling/disabling generators based on battery charge levels and primary power availability, thereby conserving fuel and reducing maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If generators and batteries are used as backup power sources, then base stations can operate during power outages, but the backup power duration is insufficient during lengthy outages and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power sources (primary power source, generator, and battery) into a unified power system with intelligent control. The controller dynamically manages power flow between these sources, allowing the system to extend backup power duration by switching between battery storage and generator operation, while maintaining reliability through automated source selection and monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The power system employs dynamic control through a controller that continuously monitors power source availability and battery charge levels. The controller dynamically adjusts power flow directions, switches between charging and discharging modes, and optimizes the operation of generators and batteries based on real-time conditions, thereby extending effective backup duration while maintaining system reliability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If generators are continuously operated to extend backup power duration, then power availability improves, but fuel consumption increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by operating the generator only when necessary (when primary power is unavailable and battery charge is low) rather than continuously. The controller monitors battery charge levels and activates the generator in periodic cycles to recharge batteries, thereby extending backup duration while minimizing fuel consumption and reducing maintenance frequency compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The power system incorporates self-service through automated controller management that monitors power source status, battery charge levels, and automatically switches between power sources without manual intervention. This automation optimizes generator operation to extend backup duration while minimizing unnecessary runtime, thereby reducing fuel consumption and maintenance requirements.
3Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend backup power duration, then power availability during outages improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power sources (primary power source, generator, and battery) into a coordinated system managed by a controller. This combination allows the system to extend backup power duration by intelligently switching between battery storage and generator operation, avoiding the need for excessively large battery capacity while maintaining system complexity at a manageable level through integrated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller provides dynamic management of the power system, continuously monitoring power source availability and battery charge levels to optimize power flow. This dynamic control enables the system to extend backup duration through coordinated operation of multiple sources rather than relying solely on increased battery capacity, thereby managing system complexity through intelligent control algorithms.
4Duration of action of moving object
If multiple power sources are integrated to extend backup duration, then power availability improves, but power management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power system implements self-service through an automated controller that monitors power source status, battery charge levels, and power flow conditions without manual intervention. The controller automatically switches between power sources, manages charging and discharging cycles, and optimizes power distribution, thereby extending backup duration while managing power management complexity through automation rather than manual procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring power source availability, battery charge levels, and power flow conditions. Based on this real-time feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts power source selection and power flow directions to extend backup duration while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making based on system state feedback.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively extends backup power duration, increases service life of battery and generator components, and decreases maintenance requirements, ensuring reliable wireless communications during outages by optimizing power usage and balancing loads across rectifiers.
Implementation Method 1
a battery circuit, and generator... battery charge levels... battery circuit is to receive power from the primary power source when the primary power source is available
Implementation Method 2
a power controller, rectifier and switch circuit, battery circuit, and generator... generator is to generate power when enabled
Implementation Method 3
rectifier and switch circuit... rectifiers are to be controlled to balance the load thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus, method, and manufacture for generating backup power in a wireless communications system such as a wireless communications service base station. The system includes a communications interface, a primary power interface, a generator, rectifiers, and a battery circuit. During normal operation, the communications interface is powered from the primary power interface. During a power outage, the communications interface is powered from either the generator or the battery circuit. The generator is cycled on and off during power outages to charge the battery circuit while conserving fuel. To decrease rectification loss, rectifiers are run near full load while rectifying the generator output.