Sensing of antenna connection for remote radio heads
AssigneeTalkingHeads Wireless, Inc.
InventorsJoel L. Dawson, Mark A. Briffa
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Abstract
Described are concepts, systems and techniques for detecting whether an impedance mismatch exists at an output port of a remote radio head (RRH) or at an output port of a radio frequency (RF) amplifier in an RRH such as may be caused by a faulty connection between an antenna and a transmit signal path of the RRH. Also described are means for protecting an RF amplifier or other active RF device in the transmit signal path from damage due to such a faulty connection.
Claims14
An apparatus for detecting whether an antenna is coupled to an antenna port of a remote radio head (RRH), the apparatus comprising:
- a contact switch configured to be disposed between a port of an antenna and a port of an RRH, wherein the contact switch is further configured to provide a signal path having a low impedance characteristic in response to an antenna being functionally coupled to the RRH antenna port and having a high impedance characteristic in response to an antenna not being functionally coupled to the RRH antenna port.
A remote radio head (RRH) having a radio frequency (RF) transmit signal path, the RRH comprising:
- an RF amplifier having an RF input port and an RF output port;
- an antenna having an antenna port coupled to the RF output port of the RF amplifier;
- means for detecting, disposed between the RF output port of the RF amplifier and the antenna port, the means for detecting configured prevent damage to the RF amplifier in response to an impedance mis-match being detected between the RF output port of the RF amplifier and the antenna port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.