RBS Power Converter Waveform Monitoring for Pre-Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diagnostic systems for computer and wireless communications networks, such as the '208 Patent, are unable to predict hardware degradation in power conversion circuitry, leading to potential failures that cause network downtime.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for pre-fault detection of hardware degradation by sensing electrical waveforms in DC/DC converters, determining nominal operating windows based on radio resource load, and triggering alarms when waveforms exceed these windows, indicating degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional diagnostic systems are used to detect hardware failures, then failure identification is achieved, but pre-fault detection of hardware degradation is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing baseline electrical waveform characteristics at defined prior times (e.g., time of manufacture or after burn-in periods) before actual degradation occurs. These baseline measurements are stored and used for future comparison to detect degradation trends before failure happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring electrical waveforms, comparing them against baseline characteristics, and using this comparison information to detect degradation. The feedback loop enables the system to identify when hardware parameters drift from acceptable ranges, providing early warning of potential failures.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring of electrical waveforms is implemented, then hardware degradation can be detected, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential diagnostic information from electrical waveforms by comparing them against pre-established baseline characteristics. Rather than analyzing all waveform parameters continuously, the system focuses on specific deviations from baseline behavior, reducing processing complexity while maintaining detection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in electrical waveform parameters over time by comparing current measurements against baseline values established at prior times. This parameter change approach allows degradation detection through simple threshold-based comparisons rather than complex continuous analysis.
3Ease of repair
If hardware replacement is performed after failure occurs, then immediate repair is achieved, but network downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary action by detecting hardware degradation before failure occurs, allowing maintenance personnel to schedule and perform replacements during planned maintenance windows rather than responding to unexpected failures. This proactive approach minimizes network downtime by avoiding unplanned outages.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus and systems for pre-fault detection of hardware degradation; when embodied in a radio base station (RBS) of a wireless communications network, the method is characterized by: sensing at least a portion of an electrical waveform at a circuit location in the RBS; determining the radio resource load of the RBS proximate to the time of sensing the electrical waveform, the radio resource load being a measure of scheduled radio transmissions; determining whether the sensed electrical waveform is within a nominal operating window corresponding to the radio resource load, wherein the nominal operating window is a function of the sensed electrical waveform for the radio resource load at a prior time; and, if the sensed electrical waveform is not within the corresponding nominal operating window, triggering an alarm to indicate that the hardware has reached a degradation limit.