Method and apparatus for converting dc voltages at the top of a telecommunications tower

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018337705-A1
Application number	US-201815939973-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 29, 2018
Priority date	May 22, 2017
Publication date	Nov 22, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

In one embodiment, an integrated power cable is provided. The integrated power cable, comprises a power cable having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end is configured to be electrically coupled to a DC power supply; at least one DC-DC voltage converter having at least one input and at least one output; wherein the second end is fixedly electrically and mechanically connected to the input; a first connector fixedly connected mechanically and electrically to the output; and wherein the first connector is configured to be coupled to at least one remote radio head.

First claim

1 . An integrated power cable, comprising:
a power cable having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end is configured to be electrically coupled to a DC power supply; at least one DC-DC voltage converter having at least one input and at least one output; wherein the second end is fixedly electrically and mechanically connected to the input; a first connector fixedly connected mechanically and electrically to the output; and wherein the first connector is configured to be coupled to at least one remote radio head.

2 . The integrated power cable of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one DC-DC voltage converter system and the second end are covered by an insulator.

3 . The integrated power cable of claim 1 , wherein a second connector is fixedly connected mechanically and electrically to the first end.

4 . The integrated power cable of claim 1 , wherein the at least one DC-DC voltage converter system comprises a synchronous step-down converter.

5 . The integrated power cable of claim 1 , wherein the at least one DC-DC voltage converter system comprises a converter communications system

6 . A power cable, comprising:
a power cable having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end is configured to be electrically coupled to a DC power supply; at least one DC-DC voltage converter having at least one input and at least one output; a first connector fixedly electrically and mechanically connected to the second end; a second connector fixedly electrically and mechanically connected to the at least one input; wherein the first connector is coupled to the second connector; and a third connector fixedly electrically and mechanically connected to the at least one output; and wherein the third connector is configured to be coupled to at least one remote radio head.

7 . The power cable of claim 6 , wherein a fourth connector is fixedly connected mechanically and electrically to the first end.

8 . The power cable of claim 6 , wherein the at least one DC-DC voltage converter system comprises a synchronous step-down converter.

9 . The power cable of claim 6 , wherein the at least one DC-DC voltage converter system comprises a converter communications system

10 . An apparatus, comprising:
a first overvoltage protection circuit having a first input and a first output, and configured to be mounted on a tower proximate to at least one remote radio head; at least one DC-DC voltage converter system having at least one input coupled to the first output, and at least one output; a second overvoltage protection circuit having a second input coupled to the at least one output, and a second output coupled to at least one remote radio head; a first enclosure enclosing the at least one DC-DC voltage converter system and configured to be mounted on the tower proximate to the at least one remote radio head; wherein the first input is configured to be coupled to a power cable; and wherein the at least one output is configured to be coupled to the at least one remote radio head.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a heatsink mechanically attached to and thermally coupled to each of the at least one DC-DC voltage converter system, and mechanically attached to and thermally insulated from the enclosure.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the heatsink is thermally coupled to each of the at least one DC-DC voltage converter with conductive heatsink compound.

13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the heatsink is thermally isolated from the enclosure with a thermal insulating gasket.

14 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one DC-DC voltage converter system comprises a synchronous step-down converter.

15 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one DC-DC voltage converter system comprises a converter communications system.

16 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first enclosure or a second enclosure encloses the second overvoltage protection circuit.

17 . An apparatus, comprising:
a remote radio head, comprising:
at least one DC-DC voltage converter system having a first input configured to receive a voltage between 380V and 400V and an output configured to provide between 3.3V and 48V; and
a front end system having a second input coupled to the output of the at least one DC-DC voltage converter system; and
wherein the first input is configured to be coupled to a power cable.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the at least one DC-DC voltage converter system comprises a synchronous step-down converter.

19 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the at least one DC-DC voltage converter system comprises a converter communications system.

20 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the front end system comprises at least one of a low noise amplifier, a power amplifier, an upconverter, and a downconverter.

Assignees

• Commscope Technologies Llc

Inventors

• Coleman Daryl A
• Al-Mufti Khalid W

Classifications

• H02H7/20

  for electronic equipment (for converters H02H7/10; for electric measuring instruments G01R1/36; for DC voltage or current semiconductor regulators G05F1/569; for amplifiers H03F1/52; for electronic switching circuits H03K17/08) · CPC title

• H04W88/085

  Access point devices with remote components · CPC title

• H02H9/04

  responsive to excess voltage (lightning arrestors H01C7/12, H01C8/04, H01G9/18, H01T) · CPC title

• H04B1/40 Primary

  Circuits · CPC title

• H05K7/209

  Heat transfer by conduction from internal heat source to heat radiating structure (H05K7/20909 takes precedence) · CPC title