MXPA99008755A - Power amplication system with intelligent control of amplifier modules - Google Patents

Abstract

A product and system are disclosed for intelligently controlling the number of amplifier modules that are active in a linear amplification system. By exercising such control, the system can avoid using unnecessary power. The invention monitors the system and gathers information from signals associated with the system, particularly information concerning signal power. A control functionality evaluates the gathered information to decide how many modules are necessary to sufficiently operate the amplification system or to decide if it has been commanded to perform certain functions. Once this decision is made, the control functionality communicates control signals to the power amplification modules to activate the needed or desired number of modules and deactivate the unneeded or undesired number of modules. Likewise, the control functionality configures the splitter and the combiner according to the number of needed or desired amplifier modules. This gathering, evaluation, and control are conducted continuously.

Description

POWER AMPLIFICATION SYSTEM. WITH CONTROL INTELLIGENT AMPLIFIER MODULES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, in general, to the field of wireless telecommunications and, in particular, to the field of power conservation in the amplification of communication signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Systems, comprising multiple linear power amplifiers, have many applications. For example, linear, multi-channel, four-module amplifier systems are used in basic cell-phone stations or "cell sites." These basic stations, or cell sites, are well known and are described, for example, by George Calhoun, in Wireless Access and the Local Telephone Network (Wireless Access and the Local Telephone Network) 128-135 (1992), which is incorporated here as a reference These amplifier systems are used within cell sites to amplify multiple radio frequency (RF) signals of various and different frequencies, or channels or carriers. Such a system typically comprises a splitter, a plurality of linear amplifier modules, a combiner, a divider / combiner control functionality, and a monitor and control module. Examples of such a system include the Spectrian MC160A series of multi-carrier power amplifiers and the PowerWave MCA9000-400 series of linear amplification systems. In such a system, an "input signal" is fed into a divider. This input signal comprises one or more radiofrequency signals of different frequencies. In other words, this input signal can be a multi-channel signal. These radio frequency signals can be in any desired format or protocol, which includes the Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) standards (Advanced Mobile Phone Service, Time Division Multiple Tiple Access (TDMA) (Multiple Access Division Time) or Code Division Mulle tiple Access (CDMA) (Access Multiple Division Code). The splitter divides the input signal into two or more resulting signals. These resulting signals contain the same frequencies as the input signal, but the power, or amplitude, of the input signal is equally divided among the resulting signals. The splitter is in a typical linear four-module amplifier system, such as the Four Module Linear Amplification System, PowerWave MCA9000-400 series, which is characterized by four outputs, each of which is coupled to one of the four Linear amplifier modules. The divider is configured according to the number of modules of the linear amplifier, which are coupled to the divider and are operational. The control functionality of the splitter / combiner, incorporate it, for example, into a microprocessor or its own logic, - watch the number of amplifier modules that are coupled to the splitter and are 'operational, and configure this divider and combiner accordingly. In a system of four modules, in which all are operational, the functionality of the splitter / combiner control sets this divider for the four modules, so that the splitter divides an input signal into four resulting signals, each of which comprises the same frequency content as the input signal and are one-quarter power. When the splitter Z is configured, according to these amplifier modules, coupled and operational, the splitter divides the input signal into three resulting signals, each of equal power, one third of the input signal. Similarly, when the divider is configured for two modules, this divider divides the input signal into two signals, and when the divider is configured for a module, this divider does not divide the signal. Each of the four modules amplifies the signal input to that module to a desired level. The amplified signals are coupled to a combiner. The control functionality of the splitter / combiner configures the combiner according to the number of power modules coupled to the splitter and which are operable. A) Yes, in a four-module system, the logic of the divider / combiner control functionality configures the combiner for operation in such a system. Therefore, the combiner combines the four amplified signals into a single output signal for transmission. Typically, this combined output is fed through a circuit system from the antenna interface to a transmit antenna. Likewise, in such a system, a monitoring and control device is used to supply and control the operating power to each of the modules, to monitor each of the modules, and thus activate or deactivate all modules, and to notify the operator if the system is operating outside the parameters. This device can also be used to configure and reconfigure the splitter and combiner, along with or in lieu of the functionality of the splitter / combiner control. In the systems used in the cell sites of conventional cell phones, the monitoring and control device or activates or deactivates the individual power amplifier modules independently. All modules are either active or all modules are inactive. Multi-channel linear amplifier systems, multiple amplifiers, used in conventional cell sites, require considerable power and are consequently costly to operate. A power supply at a conventional cell site typically provides power to the system with 24 to 27 Volts of DC current and the current needed for the system at the time. The power required by the system typically varies over time, each day, according to the use of the system's subscriber. During peak hours, when the demands of subscribers are highest, the system may require 1500 to 2500 Watts. During non-peak hours, the power requirement of the system can be approximately 150 Watts, drastically less than the demand at peak hours. A large part of the power required to operate a four-module linear amplifier system can be thought of in some aspects as an overload - it simply keeps all four power amplifier modules in an active state, when the system is in operation. During peak hours, all four power amplifiers are often needed to amplify the signals handled by the system. Thus, it is often necessary to maintain all four power amplifiers in the active state during peak hours. However, during non-peak hours, the system may need only one or two of the power amplifier modules for sufficient operation. It can be so only one or maybe two of the amplifier modules are required to be active during non-peak hours. Maintenance of only the amplifier modules required in the active state will require considerably less overload power. As mentioned before, conventional systems do not provide control over the activation or deactivation of the individual power amplifier modules. Rather, all modules remain in the same state of operation at any particular time. For example, in a conventional four-module system, all four modules will remain in the active state during both peak and non-peak times. Thus, because all the modules are either active or inactive at all times, the power amplifier modules use more power than is necessary for the sufficient operation of the system. Conventional systems, therefore, using power in a non-efficient way and, therefore, are more expensive to operate than necessary. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The linear systems of power amplifiers, according to the present invention, include an input line, a divider, a plurality of linear modules of power amplifiers, a combiner, and a control functionality. This control functionality configures the splitter and the combiner according to the number of "active amplifier modules coupled to the splitter." The input line delivers a number of input signals on a number of channels to the splitter, which divides "the signals between a number of outputs of the visor, according to its configuration. Each output of the splitter is coupled to a linear module of the power amplifier. The signals assigned to each output of the splitter are communicated by this connection to the corresponding amplifier module. Each linear module of the amplifier amplifies the communicated signals, and the output of each module is supplied to a combiner. This combiner combines the amplified signals, according to their configuration, and produces the combined signal, finally to a radiator. The control functionality, which can be performed on a microprocessor, receives signals from the system, evaluates them and uses them to control the linear modules of the power amplifier. The control functionality evaluates, among other things, how many linear modules of the amplifier must be in the active state and how many in the inactive state, at any point in the particular time. This decision can be based on how many amplifier modules are needed to carry out the objectives of the system. The control functionality will examine the signals it receives from the system, to determine, among other things, the volume of system signals that are currently handled. The functionality of the control can determine the volume of the signals of the system that it currently manages, evaluating the power level of the signals. The control functionality is programmed to determine how many modules of the amplifier are needed by the system to amplify the detected volume of signals. In addition, this decision may be based, in part or in its entirety, on human intervention, information upstream, and other factors provided by a common control module. Linear systems of power amplifiers, in accordance with the present invention, use power more efficiently than conventional systems. Such efficiency makes it possible to reduce the cost of operating the linear systems of power amplification, according to the present invention, in comparison with the operating cost of conventional systems. Structural differences between systems, according to the present invention and conventional systems, include communication lines that facilitate independent control over individual power amplification modules. These structural differences also include the combination of the structure that incorporates a divider, a combiner and individually controlled power amplification modules, in a mobile communication cell site. The systems, according to the present invention, employ the intelligent control of linear modules of the amplifier, in order to increase the efficiency of use of the power. This intelligent control is done after the evaluation of the states at one or more points within and, if necessary, without the system. These states may be of a wide variety of signal types, including CDMA, TDMS and AMPS. "The systems, according to the present invention, are capable of evaluating this one or more types of signals and intelligently controlling them. individual amplifier modules, according to that evaluation. These systems employ structures that divide and combine RF signals. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a linear power amplifier system that uses power more efficiently than conventional systems by, among other things, controlling the activation / deactivation of individual power amplifiers in a manner that reflect the actual required capacity. It is another object of the present invention, provide a linear power system that intelligently controls multiple modules of system power amplifiers, so individual modules can be placed in the active or inactive state, as desired, regardless of the status of the other modules. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mobile amplifier of linear communication power, which requires less power to operate than conventional mobile power amplifiers of communications. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with respect to the remainder of this document.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows schematically one embodiment of the linear power amplifier systems of the present invention, with four modules of power amplifiers, a control functionality, which monitors the output of the system a simple communication line between the control functionality and the modules, and a divider / combiner control functionality, which monitors the modules and, therefore, configures the divider and the combiner. Figure 2 schematically shows a second embodiment of the systems of the present invention, with four power amplifier modules, a control functionality, which monitors the system output and the modules, as well as configures the divider and the combiner, and Multiple communication lines between the microprocessor and the modules. Figure 3 shows schematically a third embodiment of the systems of the present invention, with four power amplifier modules, a control functionality, which monitors both the system output and the system input, as well as configures the divider and the combiner correspondingly, and a single communication line between the microprocessor and the modules. Figure 4 shows schematically a fourth embodiment of the systems of the present invention, with four power amplifier modules, a control functionality, which monitors the output of a common control module, and a single communications line, between the microprocessor and the modules, in which the common control module is monitoring the communications collector of the site transmitters and configures the divider and the combiner. Figure 5 schematically shows a fifth embodiment of the systems of the present invention, with four modules of power amplifiers, a microprocessor, which monitors the output of the common control module, and a single communications line, between the microprocessor and the microprocessors. modules, in which the common control module is monitoring the communications addressed to this common control module, by the central operating site through a site receiver and configures the divider and the combiner. Figure 6 shows schematically a subscriber station, which includes a linear amplification system, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY The present invention provides the intelligent control of multiple linear modules of power amplifiers. The control functionality, which can be carried out in a microprocessor, logic circuit system or in a distributed process, which uses equipment based on rules or artificially intelligent, neural networks or any other desired modes or control processes, monitor the system and other factors, if desired, and provides control to the amplification capacity of the system based on "its monitoring and evaluation." By activating only the amplifier capacity needed for sufficient operation of the system, this control functionality Smart provides a linear system of power amplifier that uses this power in a more efficient way than conventional systems.According to the preferred embodiment, the linear system of amplifier, of multiple channels, of four modules, is of the class used in these cell phone cells. " The present invention, however, can be incorporated into several other systems, including PCS sites, other mobile radio sites, systems with more or less than four modules, and systems used in locations other than mobile radio sites. In a preferred embodiment, the control functionality is coupled to one or more circuits or components ("points") within and, if desired, without the system, in order to monitor various states within (and, if desired, outside) of the system, such as entry or exit at various points in the system. The control functionality evaluates the status at such points, in order to determine how many power amplification modules are needed to meet the demands on the system at that time. The points to which the control functionality can be coupled include points at the system input, system output, output from a common control module, points external to the system, or a combination of them. The states that can be monitored in the system preferably include the signal strength at those points. After determining how many modules are necessary for the sufficient operation of the system, the control functionality activates the particular modules needed at that particular moment and deactivates the modules not needed at that moment. As in conventional systems, a control functionality, such as that performed in a microprocessor or other logic circuits, monitors the modules. This control functionality configures the splitter and the combiner, according to the number of modules that are present and operational. The control algorithm for the divider and the combiner, carried out by the control functionality or the divider / combiner control functionality, according to the present invention, needs to be of such dynamic configuration as the divider and the combiner, and the dynamic activation and deactivation of the amplifier modules, are controlled to maintain the gain of the system. Particularly, if the splitter and the dynamic activation and deactivation of the amplifier modules are not carefully controlled, these modules become overloaded and damaged. Some conventional dividers and combiners have control inputs that can be used, in accordance with the present invention, to dynamically reconfigure the splitter and combiner, according to the number of amplifier modules in the active state. Other splitters and combiners will require a new control interface, which is capable of being coupled with control functionality or divider / combiner control functionality, in accordance with the present invention. - "The design, construction and operation of the systems, according to the present invention, is flexible, depending on the application needs to which the invention is directed - The number and location of points within the system to which The control functionality is sensitive to certain states or ranges of states at the points to which the control functionality is coupled Human intervention, external control intervention or other external input can be used to override or modify the way in which the modules are activated, regardless of the states of the system that reflect certain capacity requirements.The control functionality, whether distributed or not, can also be carried out to evaluate and adjust the status of the operation of the modules at pre-selected time intervals, at random time intervals or, preferably, continuously.

Figure 1 shows a system "linear amplifier 10, four modules, which incorporates the present invention, according to its best mode. System 10 includes a divider 16, four modules, 28, 29, 30, 31, amplifier power, a combiner 54 'and a control functionality 62. When the system is in operation, one or more radio frequency signals (not shown) in a format, such as AMPS, TDMA or CDMA, are provided on an entry line 14. to the input 18 of the divider e to this divider 16. The divider 16 assigns signals between multiple outputs, 20, 21, 22, 23, thereof, according to the volume of the signals that enter, the degradation of the signals, where its amplifier modules are in active state, and other factors.The divider, in the system shown in Figure 1, has four outputs, 20, 21, 22, 23. These outputs, 20, 21, 22, 23, are coupled to the four linear modules, 28, 29, 30, 31, of amplifier Each linear module of amplifier it has at least two states of operation, the active, or state of amplification or state "on", and the state inactive, or open or state "off". An amplifier module that is in the active state amplifies the input signal with a previously selected gain. Preferably, an amplifier module that is in the inactive state, acts essentially as an open circuit and does not communicate a signal. Each module has a control door. The operating state of a module depends on the signal received by the control port, 68, 69, 70, 71, of the module. If a signal previously selected to cause a module to be in active state is supplied to the control gate of the module, this module will change to the active state if it was in the inactive state, and it will remain in the active state, if it was in this active state. If a signal previously selected to cause a module to be in the inactive state, is supplied to the control gate of the module, this module will change to the inactive state, if it was in the active state, and will remain in this inactive state, if it was already in the inactive state. The system and the modules can be designed and programmed to react in the desired way in a wide variety of signals.

Each module that is in the active state amplifies the input signal in that module and supplies an amplified signal in its output. The outputs of the modules are shown in Figure 1 as 42, 43, 44, 45. These outputs, 42, 43, 44, 45 are coupled to the combiner inputs, 300, 301, 302, 303. The amplified signals are they feed from the outputs into a combiner 54. This combiner 54 combines the input signals and supplies an output signal at the combiner output 56. This combiner output 56 is the output of the system in the mode shown. The combiner can be coupled to the circuit system (not shown) of the antenna, which prepares the signal for the transmission of the antenna.The control functionality is preferably programmed in a "previous" manner. This "control" functionality can monitor a state, such as the combiner output signal, which particularly includes the power level of the output signal, to determine how many active amplifier modules are necessary for the system to operate sufficiently. In this case, the output 56 of the combiner is coupled to the input 64 of the control functionality 62. This control functionality evaluates the signal at its input 64 and communicates a control signal on or control output 55 to the modules, 28, ". 29, 30, 31, of the amplifier. The control signal communicated by the control functionality 62 depends on the signal seen by the "control function 62" at its input This control functionality 62 can be pre-programmed to evaluate the signals at its input 64, in order to determine how many of the four modules, 28, 29, 30, 31, of power amplifier, they must be in the active state, in order to operate the linear system of the power amplifier sufficiently. For example, the control functionality can be programmed to determine if a level. Given the power of the signal is present in the output of the system, this system will probably handle a certain number of calls, and only two of the "" power modules are necessary to amplify the signals for that number of calls. If the control functionality 62, in evaluating the signal at its input 64, determines that only two of the four amplifier modules 28, 29, 30, 31 are necessary in the active state to operate the linear system of the amplifier of the amplifier. power sufficiently, then the control functionality 62 communicates a previously selected signal to the gates, 68, 69, 70, 71, for controlling the amplifier modules, which cause two modules 28, 29, to be in the active state and two modules, 30, 31, are in the inactive state. This signal may be comprised of analog or digital signals, as selected during the design. Preferably, the signal is a digital signal. If the control functionality 62 determines that only one amplifier module is necessary in the active state, the control functionality communicates a different signal previously selected to the modules, which causes one module to be in the active state and three modules in the state inactive. Similarly, if the control functionality determines that three amplifier modules are needed in the active state, the control functionality communicates an appropriate, predetermined signal to the modules.; and if the control functionality determines that four modules are necessary in the active state, the control functionality communicates a predetermined appropriate signal to the module.

The contxol 400 functionality of the splitter / combiner is coupled to the modules, 28, 29, 30, 31, of the amplifier. Each module, 28, 29, 30, 31, of the amplifier has an output 420, 421, 422, 423, state of the amplifier module, which reflects the operating state of the corresponding module. The functionality 400 is also coupled to the divider 16 and the combiner 54. The functionality coupling to the modules, 28, 29, 30, 31, of the amplifier, allows the functionality 400 to monitor the operation state of the modules and determine how many and which of the amplifier modules are in the active state. The functionality uses this information to configure the divider 16 and the combiner 54, correspondingly. Thus, if the control functionality 62 determines that only two amplifier modules are necessary for sufficient operation of the system, and activates two amplifier modules and deactivates two modules, the control 400 functionality of the splitter / combiner will recognize that only two modules are in the active state, and configure the divider and the combiner accordingly. Thus, if only two amplifier modules 28, 29 are in the active state, the divider / combiner control functionality 400 will configure the divider so that this divider divides the input signal into two signals that are communicated to only two outputs 20, 21 of the divisor. Similarly, functionality 400 will configure the combiner, so that it combines the signals into only two inputs 300, 301 of the combiner. The system, according to Figure 1, is an improvement over conventional systems, because it provides dynamic independent control over the individual modules of the amplifier, as desired. Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. The system of Figure 2 operates essentially in the same manner as the system of Figure 1, described above. The control functionality of the "system shown in Figure 2, however, is constructed and operated differently than the control functionality described above.The control functionality shown in Figure 2 has four outputs 100, 101, 102, 103, control and each control output is coupled to one, and "only one," gate, 68, 69, 70, 71, of amplifier control A Likewise, the operation of the control function 400 of the splitter / combiner of the Figure 1 is carried out by the control functionality 62 of Figure 2. If the control functionality 62, in evaluating the signal at its input 64, "determines that only two of the four modules 28, 29, 30 , 31, of amplifier are needed in the active state, in order to sufficiently operate the linear system 10 of the power amplifier, then the control functionality 62 supplies a digit 1 in two of its control outputs, 100, 101, and a digit 0 in the other two, 102, 103. Therefore, one day digit 1 communicates to two control gates 68, 69, of amplifier, and a digit 0 is communicated to the other two control gates 70, 71 of the amplifier. Each amplifier module is programmed to be in the active state, when a digit 1 is on its amplifier control gate and will be inactive when a digit 0 is on its amplifier control gate. Thus, when the control functionality 62 communicates two digits 1 and two digits 0, two of the modules 28, 29 are in the active state and two of the modules 30, 31 are in the inactive state. If the control functionality 62 determines that only one amplifier module is necessary in the active state, the. control functionality communicates a digit 1 and three digits 9, and thus one of the modules 28 is in the active state, and the other three modules 29, 30, 31, are in the inactive state. Similarly, if the control functionality determines that three amplifier modules are needed in the active state, the control functionality communicates three digits 1 and one digit 0, and thus three of the modules 28, 29, 30 are in the active state, and the other module 31 is in the inactive state. If the control functionality determines that four modules are required in the active state, the control functionality communicates four digits 1 and no digit 0 and, therefore, all four modules 28, 29, 30, 31, are in the been active In Figure 2, the "control" functionality 62 is coupled to the divider 16 and the combiner 54. Similarly, the control functionality 62 is coupled to the four modules 28, 29, 30, 31 of the amplifier. described in the preceding paragraph, if the control functionality 62 determines that the three amplifier modules are necessary. In the active state, the control functionality, in addition to communicating to the amplifier modules, configures the divider 16 and the combiner 54 for the operation with three amplifier modules In such configuration, the splitter will divide the input signal into three signals at outputs 20, 21, 22, of the splitter, and the combiner will combine the signals into three of the inputs 300, 301, 302 of the Similarly, if the control functionality 62 determines that only one amplifier module is needed, the functionality 62 configures the divider 16 and the combiner 54 for operation with a modulator. amplifier module. Figure 3 shows "another embodiment of" the present invention. The system shown in Figure 3 operates essentially the same as the system shown in Figure 1. However, the control functionality 62, shown in Figure 3, has two control functionality inputs 64, 65. One of these inputs, 64, is coupled to the output 56 of the combiner, just as the simple input of the control functionality is coupled to the output of the combiner in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The second input 65 of the functionality of control of the system shown in Figure 3, is coupled to the input line 14. Therefore, the input signal of the system is communicated not only to the input 18 of the divider, but also e communicates to one of the control function inputs 65. Preferably, the control functionality 62 is pre-programmed with the gain of the system. The control functionality can also be pre-programmed to calculate the system gain from its inputs and if it is properly connected, preferably as shown in Figure 3. The control functionality 62 shown in Figure 3 uses both the system output signal as the system's input signal to determine how many amplifier modules should be in the active state and how many must be in the inactive state, to provide the necessary amplification for the satisfactory operation of the system. after making such evaluation, the control functionality sends control signals to the modules to activate the necessary modules and deactivate the unnecessary modules.Further, the configuration of the divider 16 and the combiner 54, shown in Figure 3, is controlled by the control functionality 62. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, however, functionality 62 does not mesh with the modules 28, 29, 30, 31, of the amplifier. These modules 28, 29, 30, 31 are not monitored by the functionality 62 and the determination of the functionality of how the divider 16 and the combiner 54 ALeben to be configured (although the functionality 62 can monitor the modules for other reasons (not shown )). The control functionality configures the divider 16 and the combiner 54 and determines how many modules must be activated for sufficient operation of the system. The figures show here the preferred placement of the connections to the inputs of the control functionality. These connections can be made anywhere within the system, however. For example, the inputs of the control functionality can be made to the four outputs of the splitter and all four outputs of the amplifier of the system shown in Figure 3. This will essentially provide the same information to the control functionality as the connection- the control functionality inputs to system input line 14 and combiner output 56, as shown in Figure 3. The four connections to the output of the splitter will essentially provide the same information as the connection to the input line 14 and the four connections to the outputs of the amplifier module will provide essentially the same information as "the connection to the combiner output 56. Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention The system shown in Figure 4 operates essentially the same as the system shown in Figure 1. However, the system shown in Figure 4, it includes a common control module 80. This common control module 80 is used to monitor and control individual parts of the system, as desired.It can also be used for the command of the control functionality to the desired function. , the common control module 80 includes two common control inputs 83, 85. One of the inputs 83 is coupled to the gate 91 of the splitter monitor. Divider monitor provides information in the form of one or more signals about the current and / or the last operation of the divider 16. The coupling of the input 83 and the door 91 of the splitter monitor, allows the common control module 80 monitor the operation of the divider 16. The second input 85 is coupled to the gate 93 of the combiner monitor, which provides information about the current and / or past operation of the combiner 54. The coupling between the gate 93"of the combiner monitor and the second input 85 allows the common control module 80 to monitor the operation of the combiner 54. The common control module can also monitor individual lines, such as the input line 14 (this is not shown) The common control module 80, shown in Figure 4, includes two common control outputs 82, 84. An output 82 is coupled to a divider control gate 90. The other output 84 is coupled to a combiner control port 91. The splitter control gate 90 allows an external device to control the various aspects of the splitter operation, and the combiner control gate 91 allows an external device to control the various aspects of combiner operation. Modern cell sites can have multiple transmitters 200, 201, 202, 20, which are in communication with the central operations site 210. The central operations sites, or network controllers, are used in cellular communication. The function and structure of the central operations sites, or network controllers, and their use in wireless systems, are described by George Calhoun, in Wireless Access and the Local Telephone Network (Wireless Access and the Local Telephone Network) 129-135 (1992), which is incorporated herein by reference. The central operations site 210 monitors several cell sites and manages the operation of these cell sites. It may include several transmitters and receivers used in radio frequency communication, as well as the computer hardware used in monitoring and evaluating the operation of cell sites and related information, as well as communicating appropriately with these cell sites. .

Four transmitters 200, 201, 202, 203 are shown in Figure 4. These transmitters are located at the cell site along with the structure of the system described above. The desired operation frequency and state of the transmitters 200, 201, 202, 203 are communicated to the transmitters by the central operations site 210. For example, this central operations site 210 may communicate that the transmitters must operate at a particular frequency and that only two of the four transmitters must operate ("on"). This is accomplished by the central operations site 210 that communicates using radiofrequency signals 212 with a receiver 202 placed at the cell site. The receiver 202, in turn, communicates with the transmitters using a communications bus 96. This receiver 202 transmits signals via the communications bus 96 to the transmitters 200, 201, 202, 203 to cause the transmitters to use the desired frequency and / or enter the desired state. The common control module 80 includes a common control input 81. This common control input 81 is coupled to the communications collector 96. Thus, the signals in the collector 96 are communicated to the common control module 80, as are the transmitters 200, 201, 202, 203. Thus, the module Common control 80 may monitor communications between receiver 202 and these transmitters 200, 201, 202, 203. This monitoring allows common control to determine how many of the transmitters are in operation and their transmission frequency. This information is evaluated by the common control module 80. This common control module 80 transmits a corresponding signal to its common control output 86, which is coupled to the control functionality input 64. This correspondence signal is used by the control functionality 62 to determine how many amplifier modules should be in the active state and how many must be in the inactive state to provide the necessary amplification. As discussed above, after making such an evaluation, the control functionality sends control signals to the modules to activate the necessary modules and deactivate the unnecessary modules. - The common control module 80, shown in Figure 4, performs the surveillance and divider / combiner configuration function of the splitter / combiner control functionality 400 of Figure 1. The common control module 80 is it couples the modules 28, 29, 30, 31, of the amplifier, and thus they monitor which of these modules 29, 29, 3O, 31, are active and which are inactive. Similar to the functionality 400 of Figure 1, the common control module 80 configures the combiner 16 and the divider 54, according to the number of modules of the amplifier in operation. The configuration communicates with the splitter by coupling the module 80 to the splitter 82, 90. Similarly, the configuration is communicated to the combiner by the coupling of the module 80 to the combiner 84, 91. The mode shown in Figure 4 can be used with the conventional central sites of operation. The modality will not require further programming of the communications system at the central operation site. Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention. The system shown in Figure 5 operates essentially the same as the system shown in Figure 1 and Figure 4. However, instead of monitoring the communication collector as in the system shown in Figure 4, the system shown in Figure 5 is in direct communication with the central operations site 210. This central operations site 210 communicates using signals 213 of radio frequency with a receiver 203 at the cell site, this receiver 203 receives these signals and transmits corresponding signals to the common control input 81. Thus, the central operation site 210 can send information to the common control module 80. information is used by the common control module and, in turn, by the control functionality 62, to determine how many modules 28, 29, 30, 31, of the amplifier must be in the Active state and how many must be in the inactive state The central operations site 210, the common control module 80 and the control functionality 62 are preprogrammed, so that the central operations site 210 can direct the or operation of the amplifier modules, communicating with the receiver 203 through the radiofrequency signals 213 d, and, in turn, with the common control module 80 and the control functionality 62. The common control module 80, shown in Figure 5, performs the surveillance and configuration functions of the splitter / combiner, just like the common control module 80, shown in Figure 4, described above. The use of the modality shown in Figure 5 in conventional cellular systems should require some programming at the central operations site. This central operations site will need to be adjusted to communicate with the common control module. Although the present invention is discussed herein in the context of cell-cell cell sites, the present invention can be used in other establishments, in addition to cell sites. For example, it can be used in Special Mobile Radio applications. The present invention can be used in any system that uses multiple channels and duct amplifications using multiple amplification modules. Basic radio stations are well known in the art. These stations and their operation, which include the operation of their components, are generally described by George Calhoun, in Wireless Access and the Local Telephone Network (Wireless Access and the Local Telephone Network) 126-135, 241-377 (1992), which it is incorporated here as a reference. Figure 6 shows schematically an embodiment of a subscriber station 500, which includes a linear amplification system 10, according to the present invention. Subscriber station 500, shown in Figure 6, includes a user interface 502 to the subscriber station. Such interface 502 may include an ordinary telephone connection, a wirelessly connected remote user interface, a subscriber relay station or a telephone connected by radio or a mobile station. The user interface 502 is coupled to an interface system; subscriber line, which facilitates communication between user interface 502 and subscriber station 500. The line interface system 504 is coupled to an analog to digital conversion system 506, which converts the communication of the user interface 502 (analog) to a digital signal. This analog-to-digital conversion system 506 is coupled to a modulation system 508, which modulates the digital signal output of the conversion system 506 in a previously selected manner. The modulation system 508 is coupled to a linear amplification system 10 incorporating the present invention. This amplification system 10 amplifies the modulated signal, according to the present invention. The linear amplification system is coupled to a radio system / antenna circuit system, 510. This radio system 510 prepares the amplified signal for transmission, using the antenna 512, which is coupled to the radio system 510. The general controller 518 monitors and controls all the components of the subscriber station 500. This general controller 518 is coupled to the controllers 516 by a control circuit 516. Subscriber station 500 is coupled to a power supply system 520, which provides the energy required by station 500 for operation. The foregoing is provided for the purpose of explaining and exposing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to the described modality will be evident to the ordinary experts in the matter and can be carried out without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention and the following claims.

Claims (26)

1. A linear power amplifier system, which comprises: an input, a divider, this divider includes an input and a plurality of outputs; a plurality of linear modules of the power amplifier, each amplifier module includes an amplifier input and an amplifier output, each amplifier input is coupled to at least one output of the splitter; a combiner, this combiner includes a plurality of inputs and an output, each combiner input is coupled to at least one output of the amplifier; a control functionality, this control functionality includes at least one input and at least one output; in which the input is coupled to the input of the divider; where each output of control functionality is coupled to at least one amplifier; and wherein, upon detecting a predetermined signal on at least one input of the control functionality, this control Functionality supplies a predetermined control signal over at least one control output to at least one amplifier, so that the operating state of the each amplifier module is sensitive to its predetermined control signal from the control functionality.

2. The system of claim 1, which further comprises: a second control functionality, this second control functionality is coupled to the splitter and to each module of the amplifier; in that, upon detecting the operation state of each amplifier module, the second control functionality configures the divider, according to the operating state of each amplifier module.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second control functionality is coupled to the combiner and where, upon detecting the operating status of each amplifier module, the second control functionality configures the combiner, in accordance with the operating state of each amplifier module. "" ""

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control functionality is coupled to each linear module of the power amplifier and is also coupled to the divider, and where, upon detecting the operating status of each amplifier module, the control functionality configures the divider, according to the operating status of each amplifier module.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one control functionality input is coupled to at least one point, so that the signals in this at least one point communicate with at least one control functionality input.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the combiner output is coupled to at least one input of control functionality. ~~ "

7. The linear power amplifier system of claim 1, wherein this system further comprises a common control module, this common control module comprises at least one common control output and at least one common control input, wherein at least one Common control output is coupled to at least one input of control functionality.

8. The linear power amplifier system of claim 1, further comprising an output line, in which this output line is coupled to at least one input of control functionality and where the output line is coupled to the output of the combiner .

9. The linear power amplifier system of claim 6, wherein the system further comprises a common control module, this common control module comprises at least one common control output and at least one common control input, where at least one A control output Ao is coupled to at least one control functionality input.

10. The linear power amplifier system of claim 7, wherein at least one common control input is coupled to a receiver output.

11. The linear power amplifier system of claim 6, wherein at least one common control input is coupled to a communications bus.

12. The linear power amplifier system of claim 11, wherein the communication bus is coupled to at least one transmitter.

13. The linear power amplifier system of claim 7, wherein the system further comprises a receiver and a receiver output, wherein this receiver output communicates with at least one common control input.

14. The linear power amplifier system of claim 13, wherein the system further comprises a central operating site, where this site communicates with the receiver.

15. The linear power amplifier system of claim 14, wherein the site communicates with the receiver with radiofrequency signals.

16. The linear power amplifier system of claim 1, wherein the control functionality is a microprocessor.

17. The system of claim 7, wherein the common control module is coupled to each amplifier module and to the divider, and where, upon detecting the operation status of each amplifier module, the common control module configures the divider according to with the operating status of each amplifier module.

18. A linear power amplifier system, which comprises: a plurality of linear power amplifier modules, each amplifier module including an amplifier input, an amplifier output and an amplifier control gate; a control functionality, this control functionality includes at least one contiol functionality input and at least one control output; wherein each control output is coupled to at least one amplifier control gate; and wherein, upon detecting a predetermined signal in at least one control functionality input, this control functionality communicates with a predetermined control signal in at least one control output to at least one amplifier control gate; The operating state of each amplifier module is sensitive to the signal received by its corresponding amplifier control gate.

19. A control functionality, used within a power amplification system, in which this system comprises amplifier modules, where the control functionality evaluates points within the system, to determine how many amplifier modules are necessary for the sufficient operation of the system, and activate the necessary amplifier modules and deactivate the unnecessary modules.

20. A method for controlling amplifier modules within a linear power amplification system, comprising amplifier modules, this method is carried out by an apparatus of control functionality, the method comprising the following steps: evaluating the points associated with a linear power amplification system, this system comprises a plurality of amplifier modules; determining which amplifier modules are necessary in the active state to maintain sufficient operation of the system, in which the control functionality is pre-programmed with parameters that define the sufficient operation of the system; activate the necessary modules in the active state, to maintain sufficient operation of the system; and deactivating the modules not necessary in the active state, to maintain sufficient operation of the system.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising "comprising the step of: configuring the divider, according to the number of active and non-active modules.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of: configuring "the combiner, according to the number of active and non-active modules.

23. A method for controlling amplifier modules within a linear power amplification system, comprising amplifier modules, this method is carried out by an apparatus of control functionality, the method comprises the following steps: gathering information from the associated points With a linear power amplification system, this system comprises a plurality of amplifier modules; evaluate the information to determine which amplifier modules are needed in the active state to maintain sufficient operation of the system, in which the control functionality is pre-programmed with parameters that define the sufficient operation of the system; activate the necessary modules in the active state, to maintain sufficient operation of the system; and deactivating the modules not necessary in the active state, to maintain sufficient operation of the system.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of: configuring the divider, according to the number of active and non-active modules.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of: configuring the combiner, according to the number of active and non-active modules.

26. A "subscriber station, this station comprises: an input, a splitter, this splitter includes an input and a plurality of outputs, a plurality of linear power amplifier modules, each amplifier module includes an amplifier input and an output of amplifier, each amplifier input is coupled to at least one output of the divider, - one combiner, this combiner includes a plurality of inputs and one output, each combiner input is coupled to at least one amplifier output; , this control functionality includes at least one input and at least one output; a modulation system; a radio system; an antenna; in which the modulation system is coupled to the input; where the combiner is coupled to the radio system; where the radio system is coupled to the antenna; where the input is coupled to the "divider input", where each control functionality output is coupled to at least one amplifier, and where, upon detecting a predetermined signal in at least one control functionality input, this control functionality supplies a predetermined control signal in at least one control output to at least one amplifier, so that the operating state of each amplifier module is responsive to its predetermined control signal from the control functionality.