Voltage conversion techniques
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.
1 . An apparatus configured to be electrically coupled to a direct current (DC) power input of a radio and to a first DC-DC voltage converter, the apparatus comprising:
a second DC-DC voltage converter including a first input, a second input, and an output; and
wherein the first input is configured to receive a first DC power from the first DC-DC voltage converter;
wherein the output is configured to be electrically coupled and provide a second DC power to the DC power input of the radio;
wherein the second input is configured to receive parameter data about the radio;
wherein the second DC-DC voltage converter is configured to provide, at the output, a first DC voltage level determined with use of the parameter data and to provide, at the DC power input of the radio, a second DC voltage level that exceeds a nominal DC input voltage rating of the radio.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second DC voltage level is substantially constant notwithstanding any changes in direct current drawn from the output.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second DC voltage level is less than a maximum DC input voltage rating of the radio.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second DC voltage level is within four volts of a maximum DC input voltage rating of the radio.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an absolute value of the nominal DC input voltage rating is 48V.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the parameter data is a DC voltage value measured at the DC power input of the radio.
7 . A method for setting a first DC voltage level of a first direct current (DC) power, the method comprising:
receiving, at a first input of a first DC-DC voltage converter, a second DC power from a second DC-DC voltage converter;
providing first DC power, at an output of the first DC-DC voltage converter, to a DC power input of a radio;
receiving, at a second input of the first DC-DC voltage converter, parameter data of the radio; and
providing the first DC voltage level of the first DC power, at the output, using of the parameter data, and further providing a second DC voltage level at the DC power input of the radio that exceeds a nominal DC input voltage level, of the radio, at which the radio is recommended to operate.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the second DC voltage level is substantially constant notwithstanding any changes in current drawn from the output.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the second DC voltage level is less than a maximum DC voltage level, of the radio, at which the radio is recommended to operate.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the second DC voltage level is within four volts of a maximum DC voltage level, of the radio, at which the radio is recommended to operate.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein an absolute value of the nominal DC input voltage level is 48V.
12 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the parameter data is a DC voltage value measured at the DC power input of the radio.
13 . An apparatus configured to be electrically coupled to a direct current (DC) power input of a radio and to a power supply, the apparatus comprising:
a DC-DC voltage converter including a first input, a second input, and an output; and
wherein the first input is configured to receive a first DC power from the power supply;
wherein the output is configured to be electrically coupled and provide a second DC power to the DC power input of the radio;
wherein the second input is configured to receive parameter data about the radio;
wherein the DC-DC voltage converter is configured to provide, at the output, a first DC voltage level determined with use of the parameter data about the radio and to provide a second DC voltage level, at the DC power input of the radio, that exceeds a nominal DC input voltage level, of the radio, at which the radio is recommended to operate.
14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second DC voltage level is substantially constant notwithstanding any changes in direct current drawn from the output.
15 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second DC voltage level is less than a maximum DC input voltage level of the radio at which the radio is recommended to operate.
16 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second DC voltage level is within four volts of a maximum DC input voltage level of the radio at which the radio is recommended to operate.
17 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein an absolute value of the nominal DC input voltage level is 48V.
18 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the parameter data is a DC voltage value measured at the DC power input of the radio.