Dynamic gain adjustment via mechanical transducers involving active combiners in wireless networks
View Patent ↗A method and system are provided for dynamically adjusting gain in a cell site. Network devices, such as an eNodeB, NodeB, base transceiver station, base station server, radio network controller, and base station controller can provide instructions directly or through remote radio heads to an amplification system to change the power distribution levels. The instructions are received over an AISG protocol and cause a mechanical motor in an amplification system to move a magnetic core in a solenoid causing a change in the electromagnetic field resulting in a change in an electrical current. The change in the electrical current causes a change in gain, thus, resulting in a change in the power distribution level in a cell.
1. A method for dynamically changing gain in a radio frequency (RF) amplification system, comprising:
receiving a gain change notification message from a controlling RF source;
triggering a motor in a power distribution circuit of an amplifier to operate based on a receipt of the gain change notification message, wherein the amplifier is a bi-directional amplifier;
with the motor, moving a magnetic core through a solenoid in a transducer in the amplifier;
changing a current in the solenoid by a movement of the magnetic core; and
changing a power level in the transducer as the current changes to increase or decrease the gain.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the gain change notification message comprises receiving the gain change notification message over an antenna interface standards group (AISG) communication protocol.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising monitoring a cell loading condition and average received signal levels by the RF source.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the controlling RF source is a radio head.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the controlling RF source is an evolved node B (eNodeB).
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein receiving the gain change notification message comprises receiving the gain change notification message when a cable loss of a received signal is detected.
7. The method of claim 3 , wherein receiving the gain change notification message comprises receiving the gain change notification message when a link imbalance is detected.
8. A system for adjusting gain when combining signals from radio heads, comprising:
two or more radio heads connected to an evolved node B (eNodeB) operate to provide signals to an amplification system;
the amplification system operates with an active combiner and an amplifier;
the active combiner operates to combine signals of the two or more radio heads and provide an output of the combined signals;
the active combiner receives an instruction from a member of the two or more radio heads to change a gain in the amplifier, wherein the instruction is received over an antenna interface standard group (AISG) protocol; and
the amplifier operates a motor that moves a magnetic core through a solenoid to change a current, wherein a first change in the current causes a second change in the gain, wherein the second change increases or decreases a power level.
9. The system of claim 8 , further comprising the output is provided to an antenna.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the active combiner and the amplifier are connected together.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the amplifier is located within the active combiner.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the active combiner receives the instruction when a cable loss of a received signal is detected.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the active combiner receives the instruction when a link imbalance is detected.
14. A system for dynamically changing gain, comprising:
a radio frequency (RF) amplification system receives a gain change notification message from a controlling RF source;
a motor in a power distribution circuit of an amplifier in the RF amplification system operates on a receipt of the gain change notification message, wherein the amplifier is a bi-directional amplifier;
the motor moves a magnetic core through a solenoid in a transducer in the amplifier;
a movement of the magnetic core changes a current in the solenoid; and
a power level in the transducer changes to increase or decrease the gain.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the RF amplification system receives the gain change notification message over an antenna interface standards group (AISG) communication protocol.
16. The system of claim 15 , further comprising the RF source monitors a cell loading condition and average received signal levels.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the controlling RF source is a radio head.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the controlling RF source is an evolved node B (eNodeB).
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the RF amplification system receives the gain change notification message when a cable loss of a received signal is detected.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the RF amplification system receives the gain change notification message when a link imbalance is detected.