Streetlight Telecom Support Unit With Power Metering and Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telecommunications systems face challenges in efficiently integrating baseband units and cellular repeaters with streetlight infrastructure, particularly in obstructed or occluded geographic areas, and lack integrated power metering and smart streetlight control functionalities.
Innovation Solution
A streetlight-mountable telecommunications support unit (TSU) that can operate as a baseband device, repeater device, or combined baseband/repeater device, incorporating microcontroller functionality for smart streetlight control, power metering, and communication with wireless devices, and utilizing a standardized powerline interface for integration with streetlights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If baseband units and cellular repeaters are integrated into streetlight infrastructure, then cellular network coverage in obstructed areas is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines baseband unit functionality and cellular repeater functionality into a single integrated telecommunications support unit that mounts on streetlight infrastructure. This merging of functions into one device reduces the number of separate components needed while providing comprehensive cellular network coverage enhancement in obstructed geographic areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The telecommunications support unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a baseband unit for communicating with core networks and a cellular repeater for extending wireless coverage. The unit can operate in different modes (baseband only, repeater only, or combined) and includes integrated power metering and smart streetlight control capabilities, making it a universal solution for streetlight-based telecommunications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If integrated power metering and smart streetlight control functionalities are added, then utility management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telecommunications support unit incorporates multiple functional modules including power metering circuitry for utility-grade power measurement, smart streetlight control capabilities through microcontroller functionality, and telecommunications functions. This multi-functional integration allows a single device to handle telecommunications and utility management tasks that would traditionally require separate systems.
3Ease of operation
If standardized powerline interface is used for integration, then ease of installation is improved, but adaptability to different streetlight configurations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The telecommunications support unit is designed with a standardized powerline interface that conforms to utility standards, enabling easy installation and connection to streetlight power systems. The device can operate in multiple configurations (baseband unit, repeater, or combined) and can be mounted on various streetlight types, providing adaptability despite using standardized connection interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A telecommunications (telecom) system providing communications for remote cellular transceivers includes a core network and at least one telecom support unit mounted to a respective structure and providing communications connectivity between the cellular transceivers and the core network. The telecom support unit includes a housing, a powerline interface, a communication interface, and a load-side power metering circuit. The powerline interface is configured though a boundary of the housing and connectable to an external power source. The communication interface is operable to provide communicative coupling to one or more of the remote cellular transceivers and may be configured through a second boundary of the housing. The load-side power metering circuit is operable to meter power consumed by at least the telecom support unit. When configured for connection to a streetlight, the telecom support unit may further include a clamp to enable mechanical coupling of the housing to the streetlight's support structure.