Power amplifier protection using a cyclic redundancy check on the digital transport of data

Abstract

A method of conditioning payload data includes providing a processor and receiving a packet comprising payload data, a first error code, and a second error code. The method also includes computing, using the processor, a first recalculated error code and determining a difference between the first error code and the first recalculated error code. The method further includes modifying the payload data in response to determining the difference.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for receiving and amplifying a signal, comprising:
 receiving a data frame containing a digital payload of baseband I/Q data;   detecting errors in the digital payload;   modifying the digital payload in response to the detected errors;   converting the digital payload from digital to analog to create an analog payload;   upconverting the analog payload to create an upconverted analog payload;   providing the upconverted analog payload to a power amplifier.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein modifying the digital payload in response to the detected errors comprises modifying the digital payload by nulling the digital payload. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein modifying the digital payload in response to the detected errors comprises altering the digital payload by adjusting a gain of the digital payload. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein modifying the digital payload in response to the detected errors comprises attenuating the digital payload to a reduced value. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein modifying the digital payload in response to the detected errors comprises altering the digital payload by altering the amplitude of the baseband I/Q data. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17  wherein modifying the digital payload in response to the detected errors comprises maintaining an average of previous digital payload values and modifying the digital payload in response to the average of previous digital payload values. 
     
     
         23 . A digital remote unit, comprising:
 an input path operable to receive a data frame containing a digital payload of baseband I/Q data;   an FPGA loaded with executable code operable to detect errors in the digital payload and modify the digital payload in response to the detected errors;   a digital-to-analog converter operable to convert the digital payload from digital to analog to create an analog payload;   an upconverter operable to upconvert the analog payload to create an upconverted analog payload;   a power amplifier operable to receive and amplify the upconverted analog payload.   
     
     
         24 . The remote unit of  claim 23  wherein the FPGA is loaded with executable code operable to modify the digital payload by nulling the digital payload. 
     
     
         25 . The remote unit of  claim 23  wherein the FPGA is loaded with executable code operable to alter the digital payload by adjusting a gain of the digital payload. 
     
     
         26 . The remote unit of  claim 23  wherein the FPGA is loaded with executable code operable to attenuate the digital payload to a reduced value. 
     
     
         27 . The remote unit of  claim 23  wherein the FPGA is loaded with executable code operable to alter the amplitude of the baseband I/Q data. 
     
     
         28 . The remote unit of  claim 23  wherein the FPGA is loaded with executable code operable to modify the digital payload in response to the average of previous digital payload values. 
     
     
         29 . A system for transporting data, comprising:
 a host unit;   a plurality of remote units, each remote unit communicatively coupled to the at least one host unit;   wherein the host unit is operable to send and receive digital signals from each of the plurality of remote units;   wherein each of the plurality of remote units includes an error detecting function and an algorithm operable to alter a payload signal when errors are detected.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the algorithm operable to alter a payload signal when errors are detected is operable to null the digital payload. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the algorithm operable to alter a payload signal when errors are detected is operable to adjust a gain of the digital payload. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the algorithm operable to alter a payload signal when errors are detected is operable to attenuate the digital payload to a reduced value. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the payload signal comprises baseband I/Q data and the algorithm operable to alter a payload signal when errors are detected is operable to alter the amplitude of the baseband I/Q data. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the algorithm operable to alter a payload signal when errors are detected is operable to modify the digital payload in response to the average of previous digital payload values. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the plurality of remote units are connected in a daisy chain configuration. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the host unit is operable to receive, from a signal source, signals representative of wireless RF communications.