Remote RRH Power Distribution With Motorized Breaker Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power distribution system for radios at cellular sites is inefficient in terms of power consumption and weight, leading to increased installation costs due to energy dissipation on trunk cables and the use of heavy copper conductors, and requires manual operation at the tower top, which is cumbersome and risky.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated power supply system with a base protection unit (BPU) and top protection unit (TPU) that allows for remote control of DC power distribution and circuit breakers, using motorized circuit breakers and a communication loop to manage radios from the base location, with aluminum conductors to reduce weight and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If copper conductors are used in trunk cables to power radios from the base, then electrical conductivity and power delivery are ensured, but the weight of the cables increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical power delivery system with a hybrid system where fiber optic cables carry power and control signals to the tower top, eliminating the need for heavy copper trunk cables. The BPU converts AC to DC and transmits it through the fiber optic infrastructure, substituting the heavy copper conductor system with a lighter fiber-based transmission medium that maintains reliable power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of power transmission medium from copper conductors to fiber optic cables with integrated power transmission capability. This parameter change allows power to be delivered through a different physical medium that has significantly lower weight while maintaining the necessary electrical properties for power delivery to multiple radios.
2Ease of operation
If multiple DC circuits and trunk cables are used to power each radio individually, then independent power control is achieved, but the complexity of the power distribution system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate DC circuits and trunk cables into a single integrated fiber optic cable system that carries both power and control signals. The BPU consolidates the power conversion and distribution control, while the TPU consolidates the power distribution to individual radios. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining independent power control capability through digital communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic cable system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits power, carries control signals for independent radio power management, and provides communication pathways. The BPU and TPU units serve as universal interfaces that handle both power distribution and control functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function.
3Ease of operation
If manual intervention at the tower top is required for power management, then direct control of circuit breakers is achieved, but safety risks and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical intervention at the tower top with automated electronic control. The BPU and TPU communicate through the fiber optic system, and the TPU automatically controls the circuit breakers based on digital commands transmitted from the base. This substitution eliminates the need for personnel to physically access the tower top for power management operations, removing the associated safety risks while maintaining direct control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system (fiber optic cables with digital protocols) between the base and the tower top equipment. This intermediary allows control commands to be transmitted remotely without requiring direct physical access. The TPU acts as an intermediary device that receives digital commands and automatically executes the appropriate circuit breaker operations, mediating between the remote operator and the local power distribution equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A remotely controlled system for powering remote radio heads (RRHs) comprises a base protection unit (BPU) located at a base location and is coupled to one end of a power cable having a plurality of DC circuits. The BPU has a user interface to receive a user command to turn on/off a designated RRH, and to transmit a command signal to implement the command. A top protection unit (TPU) is located proximate to the RRHs and coupled between a second end of the power cable and the RRHs to power the RRHs. The TPU comprises i) a power distribution circuit connecting individual DC circuits to groups of the RRHs, ii) a set of motorized circuit breakers coupled between the power distribution circuit and the plurality RRHs, and iii) a module that receives the command signal from the BPU and switches on/off the motorized circuit breaker connected to the designated RRH.