Programmable Power Supply for Remote Radio Cable Loss Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular base stations face significant power loss when delivering DC power to remote radio heads located at the top of towers, due to long coaxial cables, which degrades signal quality and increases operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A programmable power supply adjusts the voltage level of the DC power signal based on the current and resistance of the power cable to maintain a substantially constant voltage at the remote radio head, reducing power loss by optimizing the voltage delivery to match the maximum voltage requirements of the radio head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If DC power is delivered over long coaxial cables to remote radio heads at the top of towers, then the radio head can be positioned remotely to improve signal quality and coverage, but significant power loss occurs in the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the voltage and current parameters of the DC power signal based on cable length and resistance measurements. The system calculates optimal voltage levels to compensate for cable losses, transforming the fixed power delivery approach into an adaptive one that maintains efficiency across varying cable lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by measuring the actual voltage at the remote radio head and using this information to adjust the output voltage from the power supply. This closed-loop control ensures that power delivery is optimized in real-time, compensating for cable resistance and minimizing power loss.
2Power
If the voltage of the DC power signal is increased to compensate for cable loss, then power delivery to the remote radio head is improved, but the radio head may be damaged by excessive voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts voltage parameters based on measured cable resistance and length, transforming fixed voltage output into adaptive voltage control. This allows the system to deliver maximum safe voltage to the radio head while preventing overvoltage damage.
Solution Approach 2:
By measuring the actual voltage at the radio head and feeding this information back to the power supply, the system can precisely control voltage levels to match the radio head's maximum safe operating voltage, preventing damage while ensuring adequate power delivery.
3Loss of energy
If larger diameter cables are used to reduce power loss, then power delivery efficiency is improved, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the physical parameter of cable diameter, the system changes the electrical parameters (voltage and current) of the power signal to compensate for cable losses. This allows the use of smaller, less expensive cables while maintaining power delivery efficiency through intelligent voltage regulation.
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
This approach reduces power loss and operational costs by maintaining a constant voltage at the remote radio head, allowing for the use of smaller diameter cables and longer connections while ensuring reliable power delivery to the radio head.
Implementation Method 1
A voltage level of the DC power signal that is output from the power supply is adjusted in response to a current level of the DC power signal that is output from the power supply so that a voltage of the DC power signal at a radio end of the power cable that is remote from the power supply is maintained at a pre-selected level, range or pattern
Data Source
AI summary
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.