Remote Unit Power Amplifier Control for Intermodulation Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless distribution systems, particularly distributed antenna systems, face challenges in reducing power consumption while suppressing intermodulation products that degrade uplink signal sensitivity due to non-linearity of power amplifiers, leading to RF interference.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power amplifier circuit with a measurement and control system in remote units to measure leaked intermodulation products and selectively enable only the necessary power amplifiers to maintain desired signal power while reducing intermodulation product power below a threshold, thereby minimizing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If all power amplifiers are enabled to amplify downlink RF signals, then the desired signal power is maintained, but intermodulation products increase and power consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal powerVSAvoidintermodulation products

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of enabled power amplifiers based on real-time measurement of leaked intermodulation product power. The control circuit enables or disables power amplifiers in response to changing signal conditions, transitioning from a static all-amplifiers-enabled state to a dynamic adaptive state that optimizes both signal power and intermodulation suppression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A measurement circuit continuously monitors the power of leaked intermodulation products in the uplink signal path and feeds this information back to a control circuit. The control circuit uses this feedback to determine the optimal number of power amplifiers to enable, creating a closed-loop control system that balances signal amplification with intermodulation product suppression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Power

If all power amplifiers are enabled to amplify downlink RF signals, then the desired signal power is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal powerVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of enabling all available power amplifiers, the system enables only the minimum number necessary to achieve the desired signal power level while keeping intermodulation products below the threshold. This partial action approach reduces power consumption by leaving some power amplifiers disabled when they are not strictly needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static configuration where all power amplifiers are always enabled to a dynamic configuration where the number of enabled power amplifiers adapts to real-time signal conditions, optimizing power consumption while maintaining adequate signal power

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If the number of power amplifiers is reduced to lower power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but signal power may become insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignal power

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement and control circuits provide real-time feedback to ensure that reducing the number of enabled power amplifiers does not compromise signal power below acceptable levels. The system continuously monitors conditions and adjusts amplifier activation to maintain adequate signal power while minimizing power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Object-generated harmful factors

If more power amplifiers are enabled to suppress intermodulation products, then intermodulation product power is reduced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintermodulation product powerVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the operational parameters by adjusting the number of enabled power amplifiers based on the measured power level of leaked intermodulation products. When intermodulation products exceed the threshold, additional power amplifiers are enabled to suppress them; when they are below the threshold, power amplifiers are disabled to reduce power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10219220B2Reducing power consumption in a remote unit of a wireless distribution system (WDS) for intermodulation product suppression

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 ANI ACQUISITION SUB LLC

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to reducing power consumption in a remote unit of a wireless distribution system (WDS) for intermodulation product suppression. Intermodulation products generated by a power amplifier circuit can leak from a downlink signal path into an uplink signal path to degrade sensitivity of the uplink signal path in a remote unit. In this regard, the remote unit is configured to measure a power of the leaked intermodulation products and enables a selected number of power amplifiers in the power amplifier circuit for reducing the measured power of the leaked intermodulation products to a predetermined threshold. By enabling only the selected number of power amplifiers based on the measured power of the leaked intermodulation products, it is possible to avoid enabling an excessive number of power amplifiers in the power amplifier circuit, thus helping to reduce power consumption for intermodulation product suppression.