Patent Application
20070201671
Telecommunications networks transport signals between equipment at diverse locations. Telecommunications networks include a number of components. For example, a telecommunications network typically includes a number of switching elements that provide selective routing of signals between network elements. Additionally, telecommunications networks include communication media, e.g., twisted pair, fiber optic cable, coaxial cable or the like that transport the signals between switches. Further, some telecommunications networks include access networks.
For purposes of this specification, the term “access network” means a portion of a telecommunications network, e.g., the public switched telephone network (PSTN), which allows subscriber equipment or devices to connect to a core network. At the core network side, a central office is provided. The central office is connected to the remote terminal over a high-speed digital link, e.g., a number of T1 lines or other appropriate high-speed digital transport medium. A remote terminal has line cards and other electronic circuits that need power to operate properly.
In some applications, the remote terminal is powered locally. In some situations, to reduce demands on a central office power plant, a local battery plant is typically used to power the remote terminal. The local battery plant adds cost and complicates the maintainability of the remote terminal. In particular, operational requirements for the local battery plant will stipulate operation over extended temperature ranges. In other applications, the remote terminal is fed power over a line from the central office. This is referred to as line feeding (line powering) and is accomplished over digital subscriber line (DSL) pairs, or other communication medium, from a central office network element card. When local power is available at a remote location, the remote terminal is powered from a local battery source, e.g., −48 VDC. An option of whether to power the remote terminal from the central office or from the local battery source is typically controlled by user configurable jumpers on a remote terminal network card.
All electrical circuits generate unintentional noise which has the potential to leak back into the power source. The level of this noise is known as conducted emissions. A common mitigation for conducted emissions is a power supply filter that blocks higher frequency components which are generated by the circuit from passing back onto the power distribution network. When the remote terminal is powered by the local battery source, there are set requirements on the amount of energy that can be returned into the local battery source network. When the remote terminal is line powered, the central office is the source of the power, and therefore only the central office must meet conducted emissions requirements into a central office battery source. Although there are no requirements for conducted emissions at the remote terminal, minimal amounts of electrical noise are allowed back into the communication medium. Conducted emissions are also a concern in other types of electronic circuits.
Ideally, a common power supply filter would solve conducted emissions for all products. However, different products have different power needs and generate different noise profiles. These results in a custom filter being designed for every product.
The above mentioned problems with reducing conducted emissions in an electronic circuit and other problems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. Particularly, in one embodiment, a conducted emissions filter is provided. The filter includes a main supply port adapted to provide a power signal to a power supply port, along with a common mode choke coupled between the main supply port and the power supply port with at least one adjustable level of inductance for substantially matching a level of impedance introduced through the power supply port without adversely impacting operation of the filter. The filter further includes at least one filter attenuation element connected across return and supply lines between the at least one common mode choke and the power supply port, at least one return line noise return connected to the return line between the at least one filter attenuation element and the power supply port, and at least one supply line noise return connected to the supply line between the at least one filter attenuation element and the power supply port.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific illustrative embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Embodiments of the present invention address problems with reducing conducted emissions in a telecommunications network element and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. Particularly, in one embodiment, a conducted emissions filter is provided. The filter includes a main supply port adapted to provide a power signal to a power supply port, along with a common mode choke coupled between the main supply port and the power supply port with at least one adjustable level of inductance for substantially matching a level of impedance introduced through the power supply port without adversely impacting operation of the filter. The filter further includes at least one filter attenuation element connected across return and supply lines between the at least one common mode choke and the power supply port, at least one return line noise return connected to the return line between the at least one filter attenuation element and the power supply port, and at least one supply line noise return connected to the supply line between the at least one filter attenuation element and the power supply port.
Although one or more embodiments in this description are described in terms of telecommunications networks, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to applications of telecommunications networks. Embodiments of the present invention are applicable to any power conditioning activity that requires the use of conducted emissions filtering. Alternate embodiments of the present invention to those described below include a user-selectable conducted emissions filter for electronic circuits that provides power supply impedance matching without modifying the intended operation of the filter.
Filter 112 includes appropriate components for limiting conducted emissions from the at least one low voltage power supply module 106 and line voltage power supply module 110. In one embodiment, filter 112, the at least one low voltage power supply module 106, and line voltage power supply module 110 are fabricated on a printed wiring board assembly (PWBA) mounted within central office network element 102. The components that comprise filter 112 are discussed in further detail below with respect to
In operation, power source 114 provides local power, e.g., −48 VDC, to central office network element 102. Startup voltage detector circuit 105 detects an input power level provided by power source 114 and passed through filter 112. In one embodiment, step-down transformer 107 converts −48 VDC local power provided by power source 114 to 5 VDC, 3.3 VDC, or any suitable low voltage DC power signal value. Moreover, step-up transformer 111 converts −48 VDC local power provided by power source 114 to +/−100 VDC, 0 and −125 V DC, 0 and −185 VDC, or any suitable line power signal value. Filter 112 ensures that substantial amounts of conducted emissions are not passed back into power source 110 from either the at least one low voltage power supply module 106 or line voltage power supply module 110. Since either of the at least one low voltage power supply module 106 and line voltage power supply module 110 is configured to supply varying magnitudes of local or line power signal values, filter 112 is constructed to provide a selectable range of conducted emissions control over a frequency spectrum. In one embodiment, the frequency spectrum is from 10 kHz to 30 MHz. In another embodiment, the frequency spectrum is from 150 kHz to 30 MHz. Further, filter 112 is modifiable to control the level of conducted emissions without adversely impacting its filtering operation.
In one embodiment, filter 112 is the same filter described with respect to
In operation, user jumpers 208 is configured for the at least one low voltage power supply module 206 to receive local battery power from power source 214. Startup voltage detector circuit 205 detects a local battery power level provided by power source 214 and passed through filter 112.
In one embodiment, step-down transformer 207 converts −48 VDC local power provided by power source 214 to 5 VDC, 3.3 VDC, or any suitable low voltage power signal value. In another embodiment, user jumpers 208 is configured for the at least one low voltage power supply module 206 to receive line power from communication medium 212. Startup voltage detector circuit 205 detects a line power DC voltage level provided by communication medium 212 and passed through splitter 210 and filter 112. Step-down transformer 207 converts the line power DC voltage level provided by communication medium 212 to 5 VDC, 3.3 VDC, or any suitable low voltage power signal value. In one embodiment, the line power DC voltage level is from −125 VDC to −200 VDC. Filter 112 limits substantial amounts of conducted emissions from passing back into power source 214 or communication medium 212 (depending on the jumper configuration at user jumpers 208) from the at least one low voltage power supply module 206. Since the at least one low voltage power supply module 206 is configured to supply varying magnitudes of power signal values, filter 112 is constructed to provide a selectable range of conducted emissions control over a frequency spectrum. In one embodiment, the frequency spectrum is from 10 kHz to 30 MHz. In another embodiment, the frequency spectrum is from 150 kHz to 30 MHz. Further, filter 112 is modifiable to control the level of conducted emissions without adversely impacting its filtering operation.
Filter 300 includes two interface ports: main supply port 302 and power supply port 304. In one embodiment, main supply port 302 is adapted to be coupled to a power source for providing power to a telecommunications network element, similar to the network elements described above with respect to
Main supply port 302 is adapted to provide a power signal to power supply port 304. In one embodiment, main supply port 302 includes main return line 306 and main supply line 308. Main return line 306 and main supply line 308 are adapted to be coupled to positive and negative terminals, respectively, of a power source (not shown). The power signal at main return line 306 is provided to return line 326 on power supply port 304. Similarly, the power signal at main supply line 308 is provided to supply line 328 on power supply port 304. The power signals provided to return and supply lines 326 and 328, respectively, are filtered to limit conducted emissions to the power source from the network element.
In one embodiment, filter 300 includes a number of components coupled between main supply port 302 and power supply port 304 to provide conducted emissions filtering: main return overload path 322, coupled to main return line 306; main supply overload path 324, coupled to main supply line 308; adjustable coupled inductor 310; filter attenuation element 320, connected across return line 326 and supply line 328; filter return inductor 330, incorporated within return line 326 between filter attenuation element 320 and power supply port 304; and filter supply inductor 332, incorporated within supply line 328 between filter attenuation element 320 and power supply port 304. Main return overload path 322 and main supply overload path 324 each contain a capacitor 322C1 and 324C1, respectively, to prevent any stray DC noise levels from overloading the input of main supply port 302. Adjustable coupled inductor 310 includes first winding 312 and second winding 314 that are wrapped around a common core to provide an adjustable mutual inductance. By using the common core, first winding 312 and second winding 314 is well matched. Adjustable coupled inductor 310 is referred to as a common mode choke. Adjustable coupled inductor 310 blocks common mode currents without affecting differential mode currents.
Adjustable coupled inductor 310 further includes return inductance selector switch 3161 to 3162 and supply inductance selector switch 3181 to 3182. It is noted that in this description, a total of two return inductance selector switches 3161 to 3162 and two supply inductance selector switches 3181 to 3182 are shown in
In one embodiment, filter attenuation element 320 is a capacitor used in conjunction with coupled inductor 310 to divert differential mode currents. The filter return inductor 330 and filter supply inductor 332 are used to block external electrical noise from flowing into power supply port 304 along return line 326 and supply line 328 on power supply port 304, respectively. In one embodiment, filter return inductor 330 and filter supply inductor 332 are matching inductors.
To divert common mode current, a series of return paths are included on either side of filter return inductor 330 and filter supply inductor 332. Main return line noise paths 334P1 and 334P2 and internal return line noise paths 336P1 and 336P2 are included on the main and internal sides of filter return inductor 330, respectively. Main return line noise paths 334P1 and 334P2 further comprise capacitors 334C1 and 334C2 and switches 334S1 and 334S2. Switches 334S1 and 334S2 engage or disengage any of main return line noise paths 334P1 and 334P2. Internal return line noise paths 336P1 and 336P2 further comprise capacitors 336C1 and 336C2 and switches 336S1 and 336S2. Switches 336S1 and 336S2 engage or disengage any of main return line noise paths 336P1 and 336P2. Main supply line noise paths 338P1 and 338P2 and internal supply line noise paths 340P1 and 340P2 are included on the main and internal sides of filter supply inductor 332, respectively. Main supply line noise paths 338P1 and 338P2 further comprise capacitors 338C1 and 338C2 and switches 338S1 and 338S2. Switches 338S1 and 338S2 engage or disengage any of main supply line noise paths 338P1 and 338P2. Internal supply line noise paths 340P1 and 340P2 further comprise capacitors 340C1 and 340C2 and switches 340S1 and 340S2. Switches 340S1 and 340S2 engage or disengage any of main supply line noise paths 340P1 and 340P2.
It is noted that in this description, a total of two main return line noise paths 334P1 and 334P2, two internal return line noise paths 336P1 and 336P2, two main supply line noise paths 338p, and 338P2, and two internal supply line noise paths 340P1 and 340P2 are shown in
In one embodiment, switches 334S1, 334S2, 336S1, 336S2, 338S1, 338S2, 340S1 and 340S2 are each a fuse that is permanently opened by applying a value of current that permanently opens the fuse, e.g., an anti-fuse. In another embodiment, switches 334S1, 334S2, 336S1, 336S2, 338S1, 338S2, 340S1 and 340S2 are each a removable jumper that can be manipulated manually. In still another embodiment, switches 334S1, 334S2, 336S1, 336S2, 338S1, 338S2, 340S1 and 340S2 are each a solid-state switch that is controlled by software machine-coded instructions. The engaging or disengaging of any of paths 334, 336, 338 and 340 operate in conjunction with return inductance selector switches 3161 to 3162 and supply inductance selector switches 3181 to 3182 to adjust the amount of conducted emissions filtering required in filter 300.
In operation, filter 300 injects power signals from main supply port 302 onto an input line at power supply port 304 without substantial conducted emissions sent back into main supply port 302. Filter 300 is adjusted to substantially match a first level of impedance as seen from power supply port 304 with a second level of impedance as seen from main supply port 302. Sufficient matching of the first and second impedance levels is accomplished by a combination of adjustable coupled inductor 310 and return and supply line noise paths 334 to 340 as discussed above. Filter 300 is designed to accommodate one or more commercial off the shelf (COTS) power supply module with one or more acceptable input and output levels. The one or more commercial off the shelf (COTS) power supply modules are required to meet selection criteria for use in either of network element 102 of
At block 404, a conducted emissions requirement to be tested is selected, e.g., 150 kHz for a 150 kHz to 30 MHz conducted emissions filtering requirement. Next, a particular configuration for element 102 is selected at block 406. In one embodiment, the particular configuration is adapted for a maximum power condition. At block 408, filter 300 is disabled for an initial test to determine how filter 300 will need to be set to meet the conducted emissions requirement. At block 410, a first conducted emissions measurement is made. Filter 300 will remain disabled if the first conducted emissions measurements indicate conducted emissions requirements are sufficiently met at block 412, e.g. element 102 sufficiently meets acceptable criteria for conducted emissions within a conducted emissions bandwidth. In one embodiment, the conducted emissions bandwidth comprises a frequency spectrum from 10 kHz to 30 MHz. In a similar embodiment, the conducted emissions bandwidth comprises a frequency spectrum from 150 kHz to 30 MHz. If the conducted emissions requirements are sufficiently met, method 400 continues at step 422
If the conducted emissions requirements are not sufficiently met, the method proceeds to block 414. Filter 300 is configured for an initial set of filter settings at block 414 intended for element 102 to meet the conducted emissions requirement. At block 416, a second conducted emissions measurement is made. If the second conducted emissions measurement indicates conducted emissions requirements are sufficiently met, e.g., element 102 sufficiently meets acceptable criteria for conducted emissions within the conducted emissions bandwidth (as discussed above), the initial set of filter settings are acceptable and method 400 proceeds to block 422. If the initial set of filter settings is not sufficient, the filter settings for filter 300 are adjusted at block 420. In one embodiment, at least one subsequent filter setting made at block 420 is set to attenuate at least one specific frequency area that fails. Method 400 returns to block 416 for a subsequent conducted emissions measurement.
At block 422, low voltage power supply module 106 and line voltage power supply module 110 are measured for power supply stability. In an example embodiment, the initial set of filter settings for filter 300 attempt to substantially match the impedance levels between low voltage power supply module 106, line voltage power supply module 110, and power source 114 in order to provide power supply stability for both low voltage power supply module 106 and line voltage power supply module 110. A target matching impedance level is substantially equivalent to a 50Ω LISN (Line Impedance Stabilizer Network). If both low voltage power supply module 106 and line voltage power supply module 110 are determined to be stable at block 424, a current set of filter settings for filter 300, for the particular configuration of element 102, is recorded at block 426. If it is determined that one of low voltage power supply module 106 and line voltage power supply module 110 are not stable, method 400 returns to block 420.
Once block 428 determines that all applicable card configurations for element 102 have been tested, method 400 selects the filter settings for filter 300 that passed at block 434. Otherwise, a next configuration for element 102 is selected for testing at block 430. At block 432, the filter settings from the previous configuration are used as a starting point before returning to block 416. It is understood that method 400 is repeated for additional, e.g., one or more, configurations to measure conducted emissions over at least one frequency spectrum.
At block 504, a conducted emissions requirement to be tested is selected, e.g., 150 kHz for a 150 kHz to 30 MHz conducted emissions filtering requirement. Next, filter 300 is disabled at block 506 for an initial test to determine how filter 300 will need to be set to meet the conducted emissions requirement. At block 508, a first conducted emissions measurement is made. If the first conducted emissions measurements indicate conducted emissions requirements are sufficiently met at block 510, e.g., element 102 sufficiently meets acceptable criteria for conducted emissions within a conducted emissions bandwidth (as discussed above with respect to
At block 520, low voltage power supply module 106 and line voltage power supply module 110 are measured for power supply stability. Similar to method 400, the initial set of filter settings for filter 300 attempt to substantially match the impedance levels between low voltage power supply module 106, line voltage power supply module 110, and power source 114 in order to provide power supply stability for both low voltage power supply module 106 and line voltage power supply module 110. If both low voltage power supply module 106 and line voltage power supply module 110 are determined to be stable at block 522, a current set of filter settings for filter 300 are recorded at block 524. If it is determined that one of low voltage power supply module 106 and line voltage power supply module 110 are not stable, method 500 returns to block 518.
Method 600 determines whether input power is detected at block 604. If input power is detected, input power passes through filter 300 to one or more power supply modules at block 606. If input power is not detected, block 604 is repeated. At block 608, filter attenuation element 320 diverts differential mode noise from filter 300. At block 610, at least one of selectable noise return paths 334, 336, 338, and 340 divert common mode noise from filter 300 before method 600 concludes at block 612.
The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Variations and modifications may occur, which fall within the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.
