Multi-Carrier RF Amplifier Power Scaling for Peak Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless base station RF amplifier designs oversize to handle peak power surges, leading to increased costs and degradation in quality of service due to independent control of maximum RF transmit power without considering call admission controls.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that control power levels of a multi-carrier amplifier using a profile with multiple averaging times to generate amplifier scaling factors, which are then used to regulate input power, ensuring the amplifier operates within its power rating profile while integrating with call admission controls to maintain quality of service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If amplifiers are oversized to handle peak power surges, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power scaling factors that adjust amplifier output in real-time based on instantaneous power demands. Instead of static oversizing, the system dynamically scales power delivery to match actual needs, allowing smaller amplifiers to handle peak loads through controlled scaling rather than physical oversizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power output parameter through scaling factors applied to carrier signals. By modifying the power parameter dynamically based on measured instantaneous power and predefined scaling relationships, the amplifier can reliably handle varying loads without requiring excess capacity built into the hardware design.
2Device complexity
If maximum RF transmit power is controlled independently of call admission controls, then power management is simplified, but quality of service degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power management control with call admission control into a unified system. The scaling factor generator receives inputs from both power measurements and call admission decisions, combining these previously independent functions to jointly optimize power delivery while maintaining quality of service through coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where instantaneous power measurements feed into scaling factor calculations, which then adjust amplifier output. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures power management responds dynamically to actual conditions while maintaining coordination with call admission controls through shared state information.
3Ease of manufacture
If steady state average power rating is used for amplifier selection, then cost is reduced, but transient power demands cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scaling factor calculations based on measured instantaneous power before actual power demands occur. By pre-computing appropriate scaling factors from the power profile and instantaneous measurements, the system prepares the amplifier to meet transient demands without requiring the amplifier itself to be oversized for those transient conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The scaling factor acts as an intermediary between the amplifier's steady-state capability and the transient power demands. Rather than requiring the amplifier to directly handle peak power surges, the scaling factor mediates by proportionally adjusting the output to match instantaneous needs, allowing smaller amplifiers to effectively meet transient demands.
Data Source
AI summary
The input (and output) power of a multi-carrier amplifier can be controlled to allow the amplifier to operate at high RF power levels and still remain within a power rating profile. The amplifier (or amplifiers) power is controlled using an aggregate scaling factor. The aggregate scaling factor is generated from a plurality of amplifier scaling factors. Each amplifier scaling factor is generated based on a comparison of a time-averaged total power and a corresponding threshold.