Remotely reconfigurable power amplifier system and method

摘要

A system and method for remotely monitoring, communicating with, and reconfiguring power amplifier systems. A communications link is provided in field-deployed PA systems, for enabling remote communication with appropriate digital components such as microprocessors or other communications-capable portions of the power amplifier systems. The communications link permits operating parameters of the PA to be monitored and sent back to a remote terminal such as a web server or other computer mainframes via any suitable wired or wireless connection including internet, Ethernet, wireless, WiFi, WiMAX, cellular, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), Bluetooth, and so forth. The communication is bi-directional, so that the remote host can download to the PA updates, cMobile operators and/or other service providers can reduce significant operating and capital expenses related to their radio networks maintenance and PA replacement by practicing this invention.

主权项

1. A method for remotely reconfiguring a power amplifier in a wireless communications system comprising the steps of:
providing a power amplifier in a wireless communications system having multiple stages, a microprocessor, and software-defined radio capability, providing a remote media link between a remote computer and the power amplifier to permit communications therebetween, monitoring operating characteristics of each of the multiple stages of the power amplifier during normal operation and as a function of time, wherein said operating characteristics comprise transistor junction temperatures and coefficients of power amplifier amplitude-amplitude (AM-AM) and amplitude-phase (AM-PM) curves, detecting changes in nonlinearities of the power amplifier as a function of time based on the operating characteristics of each of the multiple stages of the power amplifier collected during monitoring, determining an early warning of failure of the power amplifier based on changes in the coefficients of power amplifier amplitude-amplitude (AM-AM) and amplitude-phase (AM-PM) curves as a function of time, reporting the early warning of failure to a remote computer, and reconfiguring the power amplifier to reduce functionality relative to normal operation as directed by the remote computer.