Programmable power supplies for cellular base stations and related methods of reducing power loss in cellular systems
AssigneeOutdoor Wireless Networks LLC
InventorsJohn Charles Chamberlain, Michael R. Guerin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of powering a radio that is mounted on a tower of a cellular base station are provided in which a direct current (“DC”) power signal is provided to the radio over a power cable and a voltage level of the output of the power supply is adjusted so as to provide a substantially constant voltage at a first end of the power cable that is remote from the power supply. Related cellular base stations and programmable power supplies are also provided.
Claims14
An apparatus for providing direct current (DC) power to a radio, comprising:
- a power supply comprising (a) a first input that is configured to receive a first DC power signal and (b) an output configured to be coupled to the radio through electrical conductors;
- and
- wherein the power supply is configured to provide the output with a second DC power signal having a first voltage level;
- wherein the power supply is further configured to adjust, at the output, the first voltage level of the second DC power signal and to provide, at ends of the electrical conductors that are remote from the power supply, a second voltage level of the second DC power signal that is larger than a nominal power signal voltage level of the radio and that is less than a maximum power signal voltage level of the radio.
A method of operating a power supply comprising a first power supply input and a power supply output, the method comprising:
- receiving a first DC power signal at the first power supply input;
- providing a second DC power signal having a first voltage level at the power supply output which is configured to be coupled to a radio through electrical conductors;
- adjusting, at the power supply output, the first voltage level of the second DC power signal;
- and
- providing, at ends of the electrical conductors that are remote from the power supply, a second voltage level of the second DC power signal that is larger than a nominal power signal voltage level of the radio and that is less than a maximum power signal voltage level of the radio.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.