THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR ANTENNA HOUSING

An antenna housing configured to house a wireless antenna unit. The antenna housing defines an interior space sized to receive a plurality of wireless radios and/or transceivers. Inlet and outlet ducting extends through the interior of the housing from an inlet manifold to an outlet manifold to individually cool each radio. In an arrangement, the inlet manifold draws air from outside the housing and the outlet manifold exhausts air outside of the manifold.

FIELD

The present disclosure is broadly directed to antenna housings utilized with wireless access points that provide coverage for local service areas. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to antenna housings having features to improve thermal management within the housing.

BACKGROUND

In wireless communication networks, high-powered base stations (e.g., towers supporting antennas) commonly provide service over large geographic areas. Each base station is capable of serving wireless user devices in a coverage area that is primarily determined by signal transmission power of supported antennas. Frequently, high-powered base stations (e.g., macro stations) are located in a grid pattern with each base station mounting various antennas elevated on a tower. While such towers have previously provided adequate coverage for wireless applications, such high-powered base stations tend to be too widely spaced for newer high-bandwidth wireless applications.

To improve wireless access, providers are moving toward smaller stations that provide enhanced coverage for more limited geographic areas. That is, to augment the coverage of the wireless network, wireless transceiver devices/antennas (e.g., access points) with small coverage areas (and serving capacities) are deployed. Depending on their coverage area and serving capacities, these wireless transceiver devices are referred to as “femto” cells or “pico” cells. For simplicity and generality, the terms “small cell pole” or “access point” are used herein to refer to a wireless transceiver unit (e.g., one or more antennas) that is configured to serve wireless user devices over relatively small coverage areas as compared to a high-powered base station that is configured to serve a relatively large coverage area (“macro cell”).

The increasing use of RF bandwidth or ‘mobile data’ has required a corresponding increase in the number of access points to manage the increased data. By way of example, 5G wireless networks providing improved network speeds are currently being implemented. Such networks typically require shorter RF transmission distances compared to existing networks and thereby require more dense networks of access points. Along these lines, local access points are being installed in urban areas to serve several city blocks or even to serve a single city block. Such installations are often below roof-top level of surrounding buildings. That is, access points are being installed at ‘streel-level’ sites typically on small dedicated small cell poles as well as on existing utility poles (e.g., streetlights, stoplights, etc.) and building walls. The increasing number of access points is sometimes referred to as densification of wireless infrastructure. Residents often object to such densification in their neighborhoods due to the aesthetic concerns of wireless antennas supported by various dedicated and/or existing utility poles. To help alleviate aesthetic concerns, wireless provider commonly conceal antennas/radios supported by such poles within a shrouding or antenna housing. Antenna housings having a minimal form factor necessary to house an antenna are typically preferred to minimize to overall obtrusiveness of a set of supported antennas/radios.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which at least assist in illustrating the various pertinent features of the presented inventions. The following description is presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the following teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The embodiments described herein are further intended to explain the best modes known of practicing the inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the presented inventions.

Aspects of the present disclosure are based on the realization that the use of ever increasingly powerful antennas/radios to enhance coverage and/or data transfer, in conjunction with efforts to minimize the size (e.g., form factor) of antenna housings to address aesthetic concerns, can result in thermal management concerns for a wireless access point. These concerns are of particular importance for access points incorporating a plurality of antennas. When such a plurality of antennas/radios are enclosed within a housing or shrouding, heat generated by operation of the radios is at least partially contained within the housing. This can result in the radios operating in a thermal environment above recommended operation temperatures. Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to an antenna housing assembly and/or shrouding assembly that allows for, among other things, individually venting radios to reduce the temperature within an interior of the antenna housing as well as incorporating additional features to remove heat from an interior of the antenna housing.

In one implementation, an antenna housing is provided. The antenna housing is primarily configured to be mounted to a pole (dedicated or existing), though this is not a strict requirement. The antenna housing may be a modular housing configured to mount to and/or support another antenna housing (e.g., similarly, or differently configured). Wireless antennas/radios supported by the housing are at least partially disposed within the interior of the antenna housing such that they are partially concealed. That is, the antennas/radios are at least partially enclosed within a sidewall and/or shrouding of the housing and an active or emitting surface of the antenna(s) is typically directed outward from the interior of the housing. In some arrangements, an emitting surface may be exposed through an aperture in the sidewall and/or shrouding.

The present disclosure is broadly directed to wireless antenna housings (e.g., antenna or radio support assemblies) that are intended for use with small cell poles and/or access points primarily in urban environments. In various embodiments, the antenna housings at least partially conceal supported wireless transceivers (e.g., radios or antennas) within an enclosed interior of the housing to minimize their aesthetic obtrusiveness. Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an antenna housing and/or shrouding assembly that provides individual venting of radios as well as physical features within the housing to facilitate movement of air through the interior of the housing for cooling. Such features may work alone and/or in conjunction to reduce the temperature within an interior of the antenna housing.

FIG.1illustrates one embodiment of a small cell pole10that may be utilized to support one or more antenna housings as discussed herein. Various features of this small cell pole are disclosed in co-owned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0279187, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. As shown, the cell pole includes a lower equipment housing12that includes an inner cavity (e.g., interior) configured to house, for example, cell control equipment. The equipment housing12has a lower flange used to mount the housing to a surface (e.g., ground). Other installation methods are possible. Access panels and/or doors may be mounted to the equipment housing12to enclose equipment from the elements, while providing selective access, when desired, to modify, regulate, change out, or otherwise access the equipment within the housing12. The housing may include locks, hinges, access doors, vents for passive radiant cooling, and/or viewing ports. Cable ports and other features may be formed therein during manufacture. Fasteners, such as threaded posts or bolts, may be formed on an upper surface (e.g., flange; not shown) of the equipment housing12to facilitate attachment of a pole14(e.g., monopole), which may support an antenna housing assembly20. As set forth in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0279187, the interior of the equipment housing12may open into the hollow interior of the pole14. This allows passage of cables from the equipment housing(s) into the center of the pole for routing to, for example, one or more antennas and/or lights (not shown). Though illustrated as including the lower equipment housing12, it will be appreciated that not all embodiments of the cell pole10require such a lower equipment housing. Along these lines, the lower end of the pole14may be configured for attachment to a ground surface and/or a subterranean equipment vault.

To better utilize a location of a wireless access point, it is becoming increasingly common for a dedicated cell pole or an existing utility pole (e.g., streetlight, stoplight etc.) to support two or more sets of antennas/radios, which may be disposed in vertically stacked antenna housings. In such an arrangement, wireless transceivers of two or more separate wireless providers and/or distinct types of wireless transceivers may be supported by a single pole (e.g., access location/point). As illustrated inFIG.1, the antenna housing assembly20is formed of an upper antenna housing22and a lower antenna housing24, which are vertically stacked. As illustrated, an upper end of the pole14connects to and supports the lower end of the lower antenna housing24. An upper end of the lower antenna housing24connects to and supports the lower end of the upper antenna housing24, which likewise could support an additional antenna housing (not shown). Though illustrated as having two antenna housings, it will be appreciated that the pole may support fewer antenna housings or more antenna housings. The use of the individual antenna housings allows the cell pole10to be a modular system that allows for adding additional antenna housings/sections as desired. For instance, different wireless providers may utilize different antenna housings and/or different antenna housing may provide antenna coverage for different azimuth directions.

Previous generations of antennas (e.g., 4G radios) often had operational powers of around 150 watts. When an individual antenna housing held three such radios, the total power of the enclosed radios would be 450 watts. A thermal load of the enclosed radios could typically be managed by providing vents at or near the bottom of the housing and at or near the top of the housing. Such vents permitted removal of heat from the housing via natural or forced convention. However, it has been found that newer antennas (e.g., 5G transceivers/radios) having higher operational power (e.g., 400-500 watts) tend to produce more heat than can be removed utilizing such simplified venting. For example, an antenna housing supporting three radios would be subject to an operation power of 1200-1500 watts. When three such radios are enclosed within a housing/shrouding, heat generated during operation tends to build up. This is further complicated in applications where antenna housings are vertically stacked. For instance, heat from a lower housing24tends to move upward into an upper housing20, further increasing the temperature within the upper housing. Accordingly, it is desirable to more effectively vent heat generated by each antenna from the antenna housing. The present disclosure is broadly directed to wireless antenna housings or antenna support assemblies that effectively remove heat from the interior of the antenna housing/assembly to maintain desired operating temperatures.

FIGS.2A and2Billustrate an embodiment of an antenna assembly20having the upper antenna housing22and the lower antenna housing24. More specifically,FIG.2Aillustrates a side view of the antenna assembly20with a sidewall/shrouding removed from the lower antenna housing24andFIG.2Billustrates a perspective exploded view of the antenna assembly20. As illustrated, the upper antenna housing22includes an omnidirectional 4G wireless antenna26covered by a generally cylindrical shroud28. The lower antenna housing24includes a plurality of fifth generation (e.g., 5G) wireless transceivers or radios40A and a plurality of fourth generation (e.g., 4G) radios40B (e.g., connected to the 4G antenna26) disposed within its interior. Specifically, the lower antenna housing houses three 5G radios40A and three 4G radios40B. The 5G radios40A and 4G radios40B are referred to herein as radios40unless specifically referenced. During operation, the radios40collectively generate a significant heat load. The lower antenna housing24includes various features that improve airflow through the housing24improving overall heat rejection and thereby improving antenna performance.

FIGS.3A-3Evariously illustrate the lower housing24. Specifically,FIG.3Aillustrates a perspective view with various shrouds42enclosing an interior area of the housing,FIG.3Billustrates the housing with the shrouds removed to show the various radios40disposed within the interior of the housing andFIGS.3C and3Dillustrate side and perspective views, respectively, of the housing with the shrouds42and radios40removed to illustrate various internal structures of the housing24. Figure,3E further removes the manifolds. The antenna housing24includes an upper end and a lower end. In the illustrated embodiment, an upper plate32and a lower plate34form the upper and lower ends of the housing. In an embodiment, the plates32,34are circular/annular, however this is not a requirement. The two plates32,34each include multiple apertures, which permit the extension of wiring or cabling (not shown) through the antenna housing24, when the housing24is attached to, for example, a pole and/or adjacent housings. In the illustrated embodiment, the two plates32,34are disposed in a spaced relationship to define an interior volume there between. This interior volume is sized to house the plurality of radios40therein.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of structural supports or struts36extend between the upper plate32and lower plate34. The ends of the struts36are fixedly attached (e.g., welded, bolted, etc.) to each plate. As will be appreciated, when utilized in an assembled cell pole, the antenna housing24may become a structural member that supports structures attached to its upper end such as, for example, upper antenna housings, lights etc. Thus, the antenna housing may be required to support loads such as compressive loads and/or moment loads (e.g., wind loading) applied by supported structures or elements. Accordingly, the struts36may include various bracing with the plates to provide adequate structural rigidity. Further, when a single pole includes multiple antenna housings, the configuration of adjacent antenna housings may be different. For instance, a lower housing may have thicker plates and/or struts (e.g., to support greater loads) while upper antenna housings may have thinner plates and/or struts and/or be made of dissimilar materials.

In the illustrated embodiment, the struts36also form radio mounts, though separate mounts are possible and considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

The radios40supported by the antenna housing24may each have brackets that are configured to attach to at least one of the struts (e.g., span between two adjacent struts). In the illustrated embodiment, the antenna housing24supports three 5G radios40A each of which has an active surface that faces outward from the housing to provide 360-degree coverage (e.g., three 120-degree sectors). Disposed between each of the 5G radios40A is a 4G radio40B.

Once the radios40are disposed within the antenna housing24, the radios40may be at least partially enclosed within the interior of the housing24by or more shrouds42that each extend around a portion of the periphery of the housing and between the upper and lower plates. In an embodiment, the shroud(s)42at least partially define a sidewall of the antenna housing between its upper end and its lower end. Though utilizing the term ‘shroud,’ it will be appreciated that any component that at least partially encloses the radios within an interior of the housing between its upper and lower ends may be utilized. In any embodiment, it may be desirable to at least partially conceal the radios to provide a finished look and to allow a resulting wireless access point to better blend in with its surroundings. If the shroud(s) covers an active surface of the radios, the covering portion of the shroud is typically made of a material that is substantially transparent (e.g., transmission of greater than 90%) to radiofrequency (RF) waves. Such RF transparent materials include, without limitation, fiber glasses, polymers and/or fabrics. In other arrangements, the shroud(s)42may have an antenna aperture46that exposes an active or emitter surface of the radios40(e.g., 5G radios40A).

To provide enhanced cooling for the antenna housing24, the illustrated embodiment utilizes closed air flow paths that individually cool (e.g., pass over and/or through) each of the radios40. That is, each radio is disposed in an air flow path (e.g., at least partially sealed air flow path) that enters the housing, passes over or through the radio (e.g., over a heat rejection surface of the radio) and is exhausted out of the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, this requires six separate air flow paths through the interior of the housing to individually cool the six radios40disposed within the housing. To provide multiple air flow paths into and out of the housing, the presented housing assembly utilizes a lower plenum50(e.g., intake manifold) disposed proximate to the lower end of the housing and an upper plenum60(e.g., exhaust manifold) disposed proximate to the upper end of the housing. SeeFIGS.3A and3B. The operation of these manifolds is further discussed below.

FIG.3Fillustrates another embodiment of an internal structure of the antenna housing. In this embodiment, rather than utilizing upper and lower end plates, the upper manifold60and lower manifold50form the upper and lower ends of the antenna housing. In such an arrangement, the strut36may extend between and connect to the manifolds50,60.

FIGS.4A and4Billustrate the lower plenum50. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower plenum50is an annular plenum having an open interior. That is, the lower plenum50is a closed geometric shape/volume (e.g., similar to a toroid) having a central opening. The central opening allows for various cabling to pass through the center of the plenum50when incorporated into the antenna housing24. The lower plenum50has an interior volume (e.g., generally hollow interior) formed between an upper surface52and a lower surface54. In the illustrated embodiment, inner peripheral edges of the upper surface52and lower surface54connect to form a closed inner periphery of the plenum50. The outer peripheral edges of these surfaces52,54are spaced from one another forming an open outer periphery of the plenum50. The open outer periphery forms an opening56into the interior volume of the plenum50. When the lower plenum50is used to draw air into the housing24, the opening56forms an inlet opening or inlet vent into the interior volume of the plenum50where ambient air may pass into the housing24. To draw air into the housing, the lower plenum opening56draws air through openings44(e.g., vent slits) formed in a sidewall (e.g., shroud(s)42) of the housing24. SeeFIG.3A. In various embodiments, a gasket may be disposed between the periphery of the opening56and the inside surface of the housing. However, this is not a requirement. In addition, a plurality of duct openings58are formed through the upper surface52of the plenum50. These duct openings56provide airflow pathways between the interior volume of the lower plenum50and the interior of the housing24. The plenum50may optionally include a plurality of dividers55within the interior volume that extend (e.g., radially) from the inner peripheral edge to the outer peripheral edge (e.g., to the opening). These dividers55may allow each duct opening58to open to a separate interior volume of the plenum50as well as a separate portion of the inlet opening56.

The upper plenum is illustrated inFIGS.5A and5B. Similar to the lower plenum50, the upper plenum60is an annular plenum having a central opening that allows for various cabling to pass through the upper plenum60when incorporated into the antenna housing24. The upper plenum60likewise has an interior volume (e.g., hollow interior) formed between an upper surface62and a lower surface64. In the illustrated embodiment, inner peripheral edges of the upper surface62and lower surface63connect to form a closed inner periphery of the plenum60while the outer peripheral edges of these surfaces62,64are spaced forming an open outer periphery of the plenum60. The open outer periphery forms an outlet opening66exiting from the interior volume of the plenum60. When the upper plenum60exhausts air from the housing24, the opening66defines an exhaust vent for exhausting heated air out of the housing24. To allow exhausting air from the housing, the opening66is disposed against openings46(e.g., vent slits) formed in a sidewall of the housing24. The lower surface64of the plenum66includes a plurality of duct opening68. These duct openings68provide airflow pathways between the interior volume of the lower plenum and the interior of the housing. The plenum60may optionally include a plurality of dividers65within the interior volume that extend (e.g., radially) from the inner peripheral edge to the outer peripheral edge (e.g., to the opening). These dividers65may allow each duct opening68to open to a separate interior volume of the plenum60as well as a separate portion of the outlet opening66.

Each duct opening58in the lower plenum50may be connected (e.g., via ducting) to a corresponding duct opening68in the upper plenum60to form a closed air flow path through the interior of the housing24. In an embodiment, each radio40within the interior of the housing may be at least partially disposed in a closed air flow path to allow for individually cooling each radio.

The plenums50,60may be made of any appropriate material. In an embodiment, the plenums are metallic. In such an embodiment. The plenums may form structural members, for instance, where the plenums form the upper and lower ends of the antenna housing as discussed in relation toFIG.3F. In another embodiment, the plenums are polymeric. In such an embodiment, the plenums may be formed in an injection molding process.

FIG.6illustrates one embodiment of a 5G radio40A that may be disposed within an interior of the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the 5G radio40A is a Streetmacro 6701 antenna produced by Ericsson. It will be appreciated that the antenna housing disclosed herein may be utilized with a variety of antennas and that this antenna is presented by way of example only. Nonetheless, the Streetmacro antenna unit is representative of a general form of some 5G antenna units currently being installed. As illustrated, the radio40A includes a rectangular prism-shaped housing having a front panel or radome70, which is a thin-walled RF transparent area that protects the forward emitting surface of an RF antenna (not shown). The housing of the radio includes an internal cooling duct72that passes through the rearward portion of the housing from an inlet74in the bottom surface to an outlet76in the top surface. The cooling duct72passes over a heat rejection surface disposed within the interior of the radio40A. The heat rejection surface may be a finned surface (e.g., aluminum) attached to a rearward surface of the RF antenna. Commonly, the radio will include a fan (not shown) to move air through the cooling duct72from the inlet74to the outlet76. The air passing through the duct72passes over a heat rejection surface thereby cooling the antenna.

In the present embodiment, a lower end of an upper connecting duct80connects to an upper surface of the radio40A around the outlet76. An upper end of the upper connecting duct80is configured to engage one of the duct openings68in the upper plenum60. Likewise, an upper end of a lower connecting duct82connects to a lower surface of the radio40A around the inlet74. A lower end of the lower connecting duct82is configured to engage one of the duct openings58in the lower plenum58. Similar ducts for use in connecting a wireless radio to inlet and outlet vents are set forth in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 11,201,382, filed on Apr. 1, 2020, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. The connecting ducts,80,82, in conjunction with the upper and lower plenums50,60, allow the radio40A to draw air from outside of the housing24through the cooling duct72(i.e., over a heat rejecting surface(s) of the RF antenna) and expel the air out of the housing24. Such air may pass through the housing24without intermingling with air in the interior of the housing. In the absence of such a closed air flow path, air would be drawn into the internal cooling duct72of the radio from the interior of the housing and expelled back into the interior of the antenna housing24. This would result in inefficient cooling of the antenna and increased temperatures within the antenna housing.

The connection of the 5G radio40A between the upper plenum60and the lower plenum50is best illustrated inFIG.7. As illustrated, the 4G radio40B may likewise be connected between the plenums50,60utilizing appropriate connecting ducts84,86, which may be configured for a specific radio. As discussed herein, the radios have internal cooling ducts that pass through the interiors of the radios. However, not all wireless radios include an internal cooling duct. In such instances, the upper and lower connecting ducts may connect to a plenum that receives, for example, a rearward surface (e.g., heat rejecting surface) of a radio. Such a plenum is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 11,201,382 as incorporated above.

As illustrated, the ducts80,82attached to the radio40A engage with one of the upper plenum duct openings and one of the lower plenum duct openings. Once connected between the lower and upper plenums, a fluid flow path is established across or through the radio. More specifically, air is down into the inlet of the lower plenum50into the interior of the lower plenum, passes through one of the duct openings58and into the inlet duct82, through or across the radio40A, through the outlet duct80, into the interior of the upper plenum and out the exhaust port. In short, a flow path is established where air is drawn from outside the antenna housing, cools the radio and is exhausted back outside the housing. Each individual air flow path may include a fan, which may be integrated into the radio or disposed anywhere within the flow path (not shown). In such an embodiment, each individual flow path may be an active air flow path wherein air is forced through the flow path for cooling. As further illustrated inFIG.7, a cap88may be placed over one or more of the duct openings68or58(not shown). That is, unused ducts in the manifolds may be capped.

While the individual flow paths provide significant benefits for cooling the individual radios, heat may still build up within the interior of the housing24(e.g., behind the radios). Accordingly, additional features are provided to facilitate the removal of heated air from an interior of the housing as well as to partially isolate the housing from an adjacent antenna housing, if present. To provide cooling for the interior of the housing24the housing includes various vents45,47that open into the interior of the housing (i.e., bypassing the plenums). SeeFIG.3A. As illustrated, the vents45,47are formed as a plurality of elongated apertures extending through various surfaces of the antenna housing (e.g., through one or more shrouds42). Variation is possible. What is important is that the housing has various vent openings, which in the present disclosure provide air flow into and out the interior of the housing24. As illustrated, a first set of vents45are disposed through the housing sidewall above the vents44that are juxtaposed with the lower plenum. The first set of vents45(e.g., lower vents) allow cool air to enter the interior of the housing. The second set of vents47(e.g., upper vents) are disposed through the housing sidewall below the vents46that are juxtaposed with the upper plenum60. The second set of vents allow air warmed within the interior of the housing24to exit from the interior of the housing. In an embodiment, these vents may allow for natural convective air flow. In another embodiment, a fan may (not shown) facilitate circulation of air through these vents.

One difficulty in moving air through the interior of the housing is the lack of space and blockage caused by the plurality of radios disposed therein. Though air is heated in the interior of the housing by the radios (even if actively cooled by the individual flow paths), the heated air tends to stagnate within the housing, especially when utilizing natural convective air movement. The present inventors have recognized that if the warmed air moves directly upward as it is heated within the interior of the housing, the heated air lacks an outward vector of movement that facilitates movement of the heated air out of the upper vents47. While the heated/warm air does move through the upper vents, the heated air tends to stagnate in the upper portion of a housing. To increase the rate of air passing through the upper vents, the inventors have incorporated a three-dimensional deflector90that is disposed within the interior of the housing24. SeeFIGS.3C,8and9.

The deflector typically is disposed near the center of the housing and extends over a portion of the length of the housing. As illustrated. The deflector90expands from a smaller cross-dimension at its downward end/tip92(e.g., positioned toward the lower end of the housing) and a larger cross-dimension at its upper end/base94, which is typically connected proximate to the upper plenum60. The surface of the deflector90is a sloped surface96(e.g., generally arcuate) along any line between the tip92and the base94. Stated otherwise, the three-dimension shape of the deflector is generally conical. However, it will be appreciated that the three-dimensional shape may be irregular. Such an irregular shape may be required to fit between the radios and ducting within the interior of the housing. What is important is that the deflector expands in cross dimension between its lower end and its upper end. As best illustrated by the dashed arrows inFIG.9, when air enters the housing24through the lover vents45, the air moves upward as it warms. As the air moves upward, a portion of the warmed air contacts the arcuate surface of the deflector. This air is deflected/pushed outward. That is, an outward vector of movement is imparted into the rising air. This outward movement of the warmed air helps push air out of the upper vents47. As a result, the rate of air movement through the upper vents is significantly increased (e.g., at least doubled).

As noted above, the housing24may support additional housings. For instance, two housings may include a plurality of radios (e.g., 5G radios and 4G radios). The 4G radios in both such housings may connect to a common 4G antenna supported by the two radio housings. In such an arrangement, it is desirable to reduce the heat transferred by any lower housing to a housing supported above that housing.FIG.10illustrates one of the end plates32or34(hereafter 32) of the housing. As illustrated, the end plate32is an annular plate having an open interior to allow for cabling to pass through the housing. Additionally, the end plate includes an outer rim35an inner rim37and a plurality of spokes37extending between the rims35,37. The plate resembles a spoke and hub wheel. The spaces between the rims35,37and any two adjacent spokes reduce the overall weight of the housing. Additionally, these spaces provide access points to housings above/below the housing, if needed. However, when these spaces are not needed for access, it has been found that insulating the space significantly reduces the thermal transfer between adjacent housings. Along these lines, each space may be filled with an insulative material38such as, without limitation, an open or closed cell foam. Additionally, thin annular discs may be attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the plate32.

As set forth above, the antenna housing24allows for housing multiple radios, which may be differently configured (e.g., 5G radios and 4G radios), while providing each radio with an individual air flow paths as well as providing additional features for cooling and/or thermally isolating the housing. The ability to combine 5G radios and 4G radios within a common housing, while allowing the 4G radios to utilize a common antenna supported by the housing is considered novel in and of itself. That is, aspects of the combined housing are considered novel with or without the individual cooling ducts and/or manifolds.

The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the inventions and/or aspects of the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the presented inventions. The appended claims shall be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.