Programmable power supplies for cellular base stations and related methods of reducing power loss in cellular systems

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method of powering a tower-mounted cellular radio that is remote from an associated baseband unit, the method comprising:
outputting a direct current (“DC”) power signal from a power supply and supplying the DC power signal that is output from the power supply to the radio over a power cable; receiving user input as to a resistance or impedance of the power cable or information from which a resistance or impedance of the power cable can be determined; adjusting a voltage level of the DC power signal that is output from the power supply, based at least in part on the received user input, so that the DC power signal at a radio end of the power cable that is remote from the power supply has a substantially constant voltage notwithstanding variation in a current level of the DC power signal that is output from the power supply, wherein the substantially constant voltage of the DC power signal at the radio end of the power cable exceeds a nominal power signal voltage of the radio so as to reduce power loss in the power cable as compared to the power loss that occurs in the power cable when the DC power signal at the radio end of the power cable is at the nominal power signal voltage.