Importance

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Abstract

In the context of a wideband CDMA (WCDMA) type base station (BS) in a cellular telecommunications network, radio frequency (RF) gain is accurately controlled for each of multiple carrier frequency bands without having to disturb the normal operation of the amplifier chain once installed at the BS. The power of a summed or combined digital baseband user signal is determined and integrated over a specific time interval. The digital baseband signal is upconverted and amplified by one or more (e.g., a chain of) RF amplifiers. The power of the transmitted RF signal (downlink signal transmitted by the BS) is detected in a frequency selective manner, and integrated over the same time interval. The difference between the integrated baseband power and the RF transmit power is determined to provide an overall gain for the RF chain for the specific carrier frequency measured. This gain value is compared with a target gain value to determine a gain adjustment or correction factor which is applied in the digital domain prior to digital-to-analog conversion (DAC). Accordingly, gain control for each of a plurality of different carrier frequency bands is substantially continuously performed during normal operation of the BS.

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First Claim