Radio Unit DC/DC Switching Control for Power Disturbance Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radio base stations experience power disturbances due to antenna muting and carrier aggregation, which affect communication efficiency and reliability, and existing solutions require costly filter capacitors.

Innovation Solution

A method is implemented in the radio base station to adjust the switching frequency of DC/DC converters based on scheduling information, eliminating the need for filter capacitors and reducing power disturbances by dynamically managing the power supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If filter capacitors are used to reduce power disturbances, then power disturbance suppression is improved, but hardware cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower disturbanceVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes filter capacitors from the power supply chain by extracting the power disturbance suppression function to the control plane. The base station controller detects power disturbances caused by radio unit operations and generates compensation signals to counteract these disturbances, eliminating the need for passive filtering components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical filtering system (filter capacitors) with a control-based system. Instead of using passive electrical components to suppress power disturbances, the invention uses active control signals generated by the base station controller to compensate for and cancel out the disturbances in the electrical domain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If antenna muting and carrier aggregation are implemented, then communication efficiency is improved, but power disturbance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidpower disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the base station controller monitors power disturbances generated by radio unit operations such as antenna muting and carrier aggregation. Based on this feedback, the controller generates compensation signals that are injected into the power supply to counteract the detected disturbances, allowing efficient radio operations without excessive power interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively generating compensation signals in response to known radio unit operations that cause power disturbances. When the base station controller detects operations like antenna muting or carrier aggregation activation, it preemptively applies counteracting power signals to prevent the propagation of power disturbances through the power bus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If DC/DC converter switching frequency is increased, then power disturbance suppression is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower disturbanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the DC/DC converter switching frequency dynamic rather than fixed. The base station controller adjusts the switching frequency of DC/DC converters in response to detected power disturbances and radio traffic conditions, optimizing the frequency to suppress power disturbances while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during low-activity periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances the reliability and robustness of the radio unit, improves communication efficiency, and reduces hardware costs by eliminating the need for filter capacitors.

Implementation Method 1

one or more direct current to direct current (DC/DC) converters adapted to power one or more power amplifiers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3854112B1Method and radio base station for handling power disturbance in the radio base station

Publication Date: 2023.12.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

A method and radio base station for handling a power disturbance caused by a radio unit (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, 22i) of the radio base station (12). The method comprises: obtaining (S410) scheduling information of data traffic associated with the RU 5 (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, 22i); comparing (S430) the power disturbance with one or more first thresholds, wherein the power disturbance is caused by the RU (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, 22i) adapted to handle the data traffic according to the scheduling information; and adjusting (S440) a switching frequency of a direct current to direct current, DC/DC (221), converter based on the comparison, wherein the DC/DC converter 10 (221) is comprised in the RU (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, 22i) to power the RU (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, 22i).