Abstract:
An apparatus, system, and method for preventing passive intermodulation (PIM) in radio frequency (RF) connectors are provided. RF connectors that function in a telecommunication environment are re-designed and forged to have tags or portions that extend from the body. The tags or portions have holes that can receive screws to secure RF connectors together are secure an RF connector to a device. The screws are placed in the RF connectors and are connected together with safety wire such that a loosening motion of one screw causes a tightening motion on another screw.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Today, the vast majority of all radio frequency (RF) network passive intermodulations (PIMs) are caused by RF connectors. With the aging process, the RF connectors become loose by expansion and contraction, due to environmental temperature changes. Small layers of corrosion build up between the male and female portions of the connectors, due to moisture and the lack of a “hard contact” required to prevent corrosion. The loss of the “hard contact” also results from tower vibrations and cables flexing. As a result, PIMs cause networks providers to lose money in lost revenue because of the interference. The type of interference is usually the result of non-linear signals or harmonics that occur. Therefore, a solution is desired that would not only reduce PIM, but prevent PIM altogether. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various aspects of embodiments of the invention is provided here for that reason, to provide an overview of the disclosure and to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description section. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an apparatus, system, and method for passive intermodulation (PIM) prevention. Accordingly, the present invention implements changes to RF connectors to prevent PIM. Safety wired RF connectors are implemented in a telecommunication environment. 
     Upwards of sixty (60%) of PIM can be reduced by implementing embodiments of the present invention. A small tab with a safety wire hole can be implemented in RF connectors to secure the RF connector in position. The safety wire can be approximately 0.032 inches in diameter and the safety wire hole can be approximately 0.045 inches in diameter. The safety wire and the RF connector can be made of the same metallic material to prevent dissimilar metallic corrosion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the included drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary view of radio frequency connectors, implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is exemplary views of safety wires implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary view of another RF connector implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a process for implementing passive intermodulation prevention, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an apparatus, system, and method for passive intermodulation (PIM) prevention. Accordingly, the present invention implements changes to RF connectors to prevent PIM. Safety wired RF connectors are implemented in a telecommunication environment. 
     In  FIG. 1 , connectors  100  are shown with a male connector  110  and a female connector  120 . Male connector  110  and female connector  120  connect in a sealed fashion. Male connector  110  and female connector  120  have metallic tabs  130  and  140  that extend outward from the surface of the connectors. As one can see, the metallic tabs can extend evenly or extend substantially in some areas versus other areas. Metallic tabs  130  and  140  are forged from the same material as male connector  110  and female connector  120 . Metallic tab  130  has a set of holes  150  that are spaced around the circumference of male connector  110 . The holes  150  can be spaced evenly either with three holes spaced at 120 degrees or with four holes spaced at 90 degrees. Metallic tab  140  also has a set of holes  160  that are spaced around the circumference of female connector  120 . Similar to holes  150 , holes  160  are spaced accordingly. 
     In an implementation of an embodiment of the present invention, male connector  110  and female connector  120  connect such that holes  150  and  160  line up together. Therefore, in addition to the connection made by the two connectors with their male and female parts, holes  150  and  160  provide an additional way to secure male connector  110  and female connector  120  together. 
     One of ordinary skill understands that various types of connectors may be implemented in embodiments of the present invention. The connectors are re-designed to be used in a wireless telecommunication network. Some of the connectors that can be re-designed and improved to operate to prevent PIM include a Concelman (C)-connector, F-connector, Neill (N)-connector, Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector, DIN connector, SubMiniature version A (SMA) connector, threaded Neill-Concelman (TNC) connector, Ultra High Frequency (UHF) connector, or other type of connector found in an operating environment where a radio frequency (RF) is used. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , illustrations  210   a - 210   j  are shown in a safety wire implementation  200 . Safety wire implementation  200  shows illustrations of how safety wire is used with connectors  110  and  120  to keep a secure contact between connectors  110  and  120 . Illustration  210   a  shows how wire can be threaded through the heads of two fasteners, such as screws or bolts. For ease of discussion, the fasteners shall be referred to as screws, although other types of fasteners can be used. The wire connects the two screws together. Illustration  210   b  shows the wire being threaded through the head of a screw. Illustration  210   c  shows the wire is twisted together and wrapped around the head of the screw. Illustration  210   d  shows the twisted wire at the beginning stage of being wrapped around the head of a second screw. Illustration  210   e  shows a user using pliers to manipulate the twisted wire at the head of the second screw. Illustration  210   f  shows the wire being threaded through the head of the second screw. Illustration  210   g  shows the wire has being twisted and wrapped around the head of the second screw. Illustrations  210   h - j  are continuations of illustration  210   g  where the wire is being twisted with the pliers. 
     It is noted that the safety wire is typically made from the same metallic material as the RF connector to prevent dissimilar metallic corrosion. As a result, this prevention of metallic corrosion aids in preventing PIM. 
     In  FIG. 3 , a connector  300  is shown that is similar to the connectors in  FIG. 1 . Connector  300  is another exemplary version of a connector implemented in an embodiment of the present invention. Connector  300  has a shaft  310  that extends lengthwise. At one end of shaft  310 , head  330  extends outward and perpendicular to shaft  310 . As one can see, head  330  is a metallic portion that is similarly forged to the same material as the rest of connector  300 . In addition, head  330  is integrated into connector  300  with other parts, such as shaft  310 . In various embodiments, head  330  can have a narrow width, or have a wide width as shown. Head  330  has a set of holes  320  that are spaced around a circumference of connector  300 . Holes  320  can be spaced evenly in head  330  or can be spaced in another configuration. Holes  320  can also be located to pass through to the opposite unseen side in head  330 . As one can see, connector  300  is shown as a male connector, similar to connectors used with a coaxial cable. Connector  300  can be connected to a female connector or a device. The connection can involve a twisted motion that initially seals connector  300  to the other connector or device. This action can be followed by using a set of screws to further seal connector  300  to the other connector or device. 
     In an implementation of an embodiment of the present invention, a coaxial cable system operates in a wireless telecommunication environment with various connectors. For example, a base station, base transceiver station, radio network controller, cell site, or similar system operates to reach subscribers or a mobile switching center. Typically, many cell sites operate in the field providing wireless coverage to offer wireless service to subscribers. In the field environment, connectors, such as connector  100  and  300 , can become loose allowing corrosion to form where the contact is loose. Connectors become loose over time due to various factors, such as the vibration of equipment or the change in temperature causing materials to expand and contract. The development of corrosion or the loose connection can give rise to passive intermodulation. The corrosion occurs as a result of oxidation that occurs with the metal. 
     Implementations of embodiments of the present invention overcome passive intermodulation by forging the connectors to have tabs with holes to secure the connectors to each other or devices. Connectors are secured tightly to each other or to devices to prevent loosening. Screws are used with safety wire to secure the connectors. In  FIG. 3 , a screw can be inserted in holes  320  from the opposite unseen side in head  330 . The screw is inserted from this end to prevent pinching, squeezing, or compromising the safety wire when the two connectors are connected together, or when the connector is connected to a device. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a process for preventing PIM is implemented in a method  400 . In a step  410 , RF connector  110  operates in a wireless telecommunication network. A metallic portion  130  integrates into RF connector  110 , in a step  420 . In a step  430 , metallic portion  130  extends outward from a circumference of RF connector  110 . In a step  440 , metallic portion  130  has a set of holes  150 . Holes  150  are located around the circumference of RF connector  110 , in a step  450 . In a step  460 , a screw is fastened through one of the holes  150 . The fastening process secures RF connector  110  to RF connector  120  or a device. 
     Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated to be within the scope of the claims.