Programmable power supplies for cellular base stations and related methods of reducing power loss in cellular systems
AssigneeCommScope Technologies LLC
InventorsMichael R Guerin, John Charles Chamberlain
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.
Claims20
A power supply for providing electrical power to a radio over a cable, comprising:
- control logic circuitry configured to obtain a resistance of the cable having a first end coupled to the power supply;
- a conversion circuit electrically coupled to the control logic circuitry, and configured to output direct current (DC) power comprising a voltage;
- current sensor circuitry, electrically coupled to the control logic circuitry, and configured to measure a current level, of the output DC power, drawn by the radio over the cable;
- wherein the conversion circuit is further configured to adjust a voltage level of the DC power using the obtained resistance and changes in the measured current level of the output DC power so that a voltage at a second end of the cable remains at a desired voltage level or within a desired voltage range;
- wherein a voltage drop in the cable is the current level multiplied by the resistance;
- and
- wherein the adjusted voltage level of the DC power is equal to the desired voltage level, or the voltage within the desired voltage level range, plus the voltage drop.
A method for compensating for a voltage drop in a cable providing electrical power from a power supply to a radio, comprising:
- obtaining a resistance of the cable;
- outputting, from the power supply, direct current (DC) power comprising a voltage;
- measuring a current level of the output DC power;
- adjusting a voltage level of the DC power using the obtained resistance and changes in the measured current level of the output DC power so that a voltage at the radio remains at a desired voltage level or within a desired voltage range;
- wherein a voltage drop in the cable is the current level multiplied by the resistance;
- and
- wherein the adjusted voltage level of the DC power is equal to the desired voltage level, or the voltage within the desired voltage level range, plus the voltage drop.
A system, comprising:
- a radio;
- a cable
- a power supply;
- wherein the cable electrically couples the power supply to the radio;
- wherein the power supply comprises:
- control logic circuitry configured to obtain a resistance of the cable;
- a conversion circuit electrically coupled to the control logic circuitry, and configured to output direct current (DC) power comprising a voltage;
- current sensor circuitry, electrically coupled to the control logic circuitry, and configured to measure a current level of the output DC power;
- and
- wherein the conversion circuit is further configured to adjust a voltage level of the DC power using the obtained resistance and changes in the measured current level of the output DC power so that an input voltage at the radio remains at a desired voltage level or within a desired voltage range;
- wherein a voltage drop in the cable is the current level multiplied by the resistance;
- and
- wherein the adjusted voltage level of the DC power is equal to the desired voltage level, or the voltage within the desired voltage level range, plus the voltage drop.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.