Nokia Corporation

Nokia Telecommunications Oy

Nokia Networks Oy

Veli-Pekka Ketonen

Steven J Laureanti

Juha K Maatta

A power amplification system for wireless communications monitors wireless signal sequences for worst case or problematic data patterns likely to cause the output voltage of a voltage converter supplying the power amplifier to drop. The signal sequences, which may be data within a single timeslot or data packet or across several timeslots or data packets, are detected by monitoring data patterns, either alone or in conjunction with monitoring voltage, current, or a combination of voltage and current drawn by the power amplifier. Upon detection of triggering signal sequences, the output power level is reduced, either digitally by dropping the output power one or more power levels or in an analog fashion by reducing reference voltages. Monitoring and control units may be included within the voltage converter, the power amplifier, a baseband modulator, and/or a transmission line-up unit.

Method and circuitry for high power amplifiers with voltage conversion to avoid performance degradation, system shutdown and permanent damage in case of worst case data pattern

A method and apparatus for providing an antenna condition signal and a feeder cable condition signal in a base station having an antenna coupled to a cabinet by an antenna feeder cable. Two directional couplers are configured to detect forward and reflected signals to and from the antenna. Power detectors are coupled to the RF couplers, and are configured to provide forward and reflected power signals. A first differential amplifier provides a detector tuning signal proportional to the difference between the forward and reflected power signals. A second differential amplifier provides a detector tuning signal proportional to the difference between the forward and a reference voltage. Each differential amplifier tunes a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The output of the VCOs is coupled to the feeder cable. A phase locked loop at the cabinet is coupled to the feeder cable and provides a recovery tuning signal which tracks the tuning signals to the differential amplifiers.

Antenna and cable monitoring for radio base station

A circuit for an output divider has an input port, an output port coupled to the input port at a first node, and a voltage controlled element, such as a varactor, having a first end coupled at the first node to the input port. A second end is coupled to a resistive element, such as a resistor, with the resistive element being coupled to a signal ground. The first end of the voltage controlled element is adapted to be coupled to a reference voltage of a load, the voltage controlled element having a high impedance when the reference voltage is present and having a low impedance when the reference voltage is not present. The impedance seen from the input port is substantially the impedance of the load when the reference voltage is present, and the impedance seen from the input port is substantially the impedance of the resistive element when the reference voltage is not present.

Method and apparatus for a radio frequency power divider having un-terminated outputs

Apparatus and an associated method for improving the receiver portion of a radio receiver, such as the receiver portion of a radio base station operable in a cellular communication system. A mast head amplifier is provided at a mast head to amplify electrical signals formed by the mast head. The amplification level of the mast head amplifier is selected to be relatively large to more than overcome the loss and sensitivity degradation of the amplified signal when conducted therethrough to other portions of the receiver. An attenuator which exhibits a selected level of attenuation is positioned in-line between the feeder cable and the remaining portions of the receiver. The attenuation level is selected to provide a constant level of gain in a signal provided to the remaining portions of the receiver.

Apparatus, and associated method, for selectively modifying characteristics of the receive signal received at a receiving station

A method and apparatus for monitoring the battery capacity of the battery backup system and for compensating the RF output power to increase the service availability of the cellular base station. The present invention provides compensation of RF output power when the battery back-up system is in use for a cellular base station. By monitoring the battery capacity and power consumption of the cellular base station, the RF output power can be compensated. This compensation in RF output power will increase the time that the cellular base station can operate within the battery backup mode. This therefore increases the cellular base station service availability and does not allow for any loss of network operator income.

Method and apparatus for providing RF output power compensation for a battery backup system

A system and method of predicting a life time of a device and determining a life time left for the device, includes a temperature sensor, disposed proximate to the device, sensing temperatures of the device at a plurality of time intervals; a memory, coupled to the sensor, recording the sensed temperatures from the sensor; and a controller, coupled to the memory, determining life time points of the device corresponding to the temperatures, calculating accumulated life time points of the device on account for the time intervals to predict the life time of the device. In operation, given a measured temperature, a life time left for the device is determined. Accordingly, the device can be replaced by a new device before it fails, thereby improving reliability of a system, such as a communication system at BTS (Base Transceiver Station).

Method and apparatus for providing a real time estimate of a life time for critical components in a communication system

A system for cooling an electronic device comprising a heat sink including a channel having an inlet and an outlet, with the channel coupled to an airflow generation system that generates airflow between the inlet and outlet. Heat is removed from an electronic device by decreasing the cross-sectional area of the channel to provide a throttle at a location adjacent to where the channel traverses the electronic device. A plurality of throttles may be formed in the channel, each for cooling a separate electronic device. An airflow control valve is operably connected to the heat sink for controlling the amount of airflow through the heat sink. A device controller connected to the airflow control valve and the air generation system adjusts the airflow control valve according to temperature measurements collected from the electronic device and controls the operation of the air generation system.

Method and system for efficiently removing heat generated from an electronic device

A heat dissipation mechanism for high power devices allows an automatic pick-and-place and solder assembly of electrical components including the high power devices onto a circuit board in a same pick-and-place and solder process. In the heat dissipation mechanism, a device portion and a flange portion of the high power devices are placed upside down such that the flange portion dissipates heat in the device to mechanics through the circuit board.

Pick and place assembly and reflow soldering for high power active devices with a flange

Apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates maintenance of ambient temperature levels within a radio base station cabinet above a minimum temperature level. During periods of low activity at a radio base station, signals are applied to a power amplifier of the transmitter portion of the radio base station. Thermal energy is generated as a byproduct of amplification of the signals provided thereto. The signals are selected such that the signals are rejected by filter circuitry, such as the duplexer filter circuitry, of the radio base station. Thereby, thermal energy is generated but amplified signals are prevented from being transmitted by the radio base station.

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Irving, TX, United States of America

Veli-Pekka Ketonen