Remote Unit Power Combining With Isolation Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed antenna systems (DASs) face challenges in powering remote units due to limitations in power supply capacity, where multiple wire pairs are used in parallel, leading to voltage differences and potential power supply shutdowns due to exceeding safety regulations or power handling capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves combining power from electrically isolated power paths in remote units, using multiple input power ports and isolation circuits to ensure stable and proportional power distribution, with a controller managing the power delivery to maintain safe and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple wire pairs are used in parallel to increase power supply capacity, then the power delivery capability is improved, but voltage differences and power supply shutdowns occur due to exceeding safety regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent power paths, each with its own isolation circuit. This allows each path to operate independently within safe voltage limits while collectively providing higher power capacity, preventing shutdowns caused by any single path exceeding regulations.
Solution Approach 2:
Isolation circuits are introduced as intermediary components between multiple power paths and the remote unit. These circuits prevent direct electrical interaction between power paths, eliminating voltage differences and ensuring safe operation within regulatory limits while maintaining reliable power delivery.
2Power
If multiple power paths are combined without electrical isolation, then power capacity is increased, but voltage differences cause power supply shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
Isolation circuits serve as intermediary components that decouple multiple power paths electrically. This eliminates direct voltage interactions between paths, preventing harmful voltage differences while allowing the system to utilize combined power capacity from multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution system is divided into electrically isolated segments, each managed independently. This segmentation prevents voltage differences from propagating across the entire system, eliminating shutdown conditions while maintaining high power capacity through parallel operation of isolated paths.
3Reliability
If electrical isolation is implemented between power paths, then power supply reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into modular isolated paths, where each segment is a self-contained unit. This modular approach improves reliability through electrical isolation while managing complexity by standardizing each segment's design, making the overall system more maintainable and scalable.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation circuits are designed as universal components that can be applied to any power path in the system. This multi-functional approach handles multiple objectives (voltage isolation, power combining, safety compliance) with a single standardized component type, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein include combining power from isolated power paths for powering remote units in distributed antenna systems (DASs). In one example, a remote unit(s) is configured to include multiple input power ports for receiving power from multiple power paths. The received power from each input power port is combined to provide a combined output power for powering the remote unit. Thus, a remote unit can be powered by the combined output power. To avoid differences in received power on the multiple input power ports causing a power supply to supply higher power than designed or regulated, the input power ports in the remote unit are electrically isolated from each other. Further, the received power on the multiple power inputs ports can be controlled to be proportionally provided to the combined output power according to the maximum power supplying capabilities of the respective power supplies.