Rapid disconnect system for cellular tower transmissions

A safety disconnect system for a cellular antenna array on a support structure includes an enclosure mountable to a support structure. A fixed connector secured within the enclosure has contacts connected to conductors of at least a first digital data and control cable. A moveable connector within the enclosure includes corresponding contacts connected to conductors of a second digital data and control cable. The two connectors are selectively mated to engage the contacts of the two connectors. When the connectors are mated, transceivers within a base transceiver station (BTS) receive signals from a base station controller (BSC) and transmit RF energy via an array of antennas. A gripping handle secured to the moveable connector has a size and configuration selected to be grasped by a gloved hand to move the moveable connector away from the fixed connector in a rapid and safe manner to disable further transmissions by the transceivers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally in the field of protective disconnect systems to terminate the transmission of RF power to cellular base station antennas mounted on power poles and other shared utility structures.

2. Description of the Related Art

The number of cellular telephones in the United States and in other countries is rapidly increasing. The increase in the number of cellular telephones in use has resulted in an increase in the number of cellular telephone base stations required to provide expanding coverage in previously unserved areas and to provide additional cells in many urban areas when the demand for cellular service exceeds the capacity of existing base stations. In general, a cellular base station comprises a mast, a tower or other support structure (e.g., a building) that supports one or more antennas a sufficient distance above the surface so that the antennas are able to transmit and receive signals over a geographic area, which defines a cell for the cellular network to which the antennas are coupled. A base station also includes one or more sets of transceivers, digital signals processors, control electronics, power sources and the like, which are generally positioned close to the support structure. The antennas on the support structure are coupled to the transceivers via radio frequency (RF) transmission lines. The cellular base stations are spaced apart by distances selected to provide overlap between the coverage areas of adjacent stations to enable ongoing calls to be handed over from one base station to the next when a mobile cellular telephone use moves between two coverage areas.

Although the support structures for many base stations are specifically constructed to support the base station antennas, in many areas, particularly urban areas, a site may not be available to erect a support structure for a base station. For example, an unused plot of land may not be available, the use of the available land may be restricted by ordinance, or the property owners in a desired location may not be willing to sell, lease or otherwise make the land available for a support structure.

In many cases where a suitable support structure cannot be erected or where it is not cost-effective to erect a support structure, cellular antennas are placed on existing support structures, such as utility poles carrying electrical power, telephone lines, or combinations of both. For example, an array of cellular antennas may be positioned on an electrical power pole or telephone pole above or below the existing power lines or telephone lines. The antennas may be attached directly to an unused portion of the pole or may be attached to an extension added to the pole for the purpose of supporting the antennas.

Although the RF energy radiated by the antennas of a cellular base station is not considered to be harmful to a person at ground level, the energy radiated is sufficiently great that a person should not be within a relatively short distance from active cellular antennas. Accordingly, a need exists to cease providing RF transmission signals to the cellular antennas when a utility worker ascends a shared utility pole to perform inspection, repair or maintenance of the lines or other utility equipment on the pole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A disconnect system disables the radio frequency power coupled to cellular antennas mounted on a utility pole or other structure that supports non-cellular equipment. The disconnect system provides a simple and quick method for terminating transmissions by transceivers coupled to the cellular antennas to block further emission of RF energy by the cellular base station antennas. The disconnect system is mounted proximate the base of the support structure and is clearly labeled so that a utility worker having no experience or familiarity with the cellular transmission lines is able to disable the RF transmissions by the cellular antennas in one action and be assured that the cellular antennas are not emitting RF energy when the utility worker ascends the support structure to work in the vicinity of the cellular antennas. The antennas of a given cellular service provider on the support structure are disabled by operation of the disconnect system.

The disconnect system receives the digital data and control lines (e.g., the T1 lines) from a base station controller (BSC) before the data and control lines are provided to a base transceiver station (BTS) controlled by the BSC. The disconnect system selectively couples the signals on the data and control lines from the BSC to corresponding data and control lines to the BTS. During normal operation of the BTS, the signals are communicated from the BSC to the BTS without interruption, and transceivers within the BTS transmit RF energy to the antennas on the support structure to provide cellular communication.

The digital data and control lines from the BSC are provided to a first mating connector within the disconnect system, and the digital data and control lines to the BTS are provided to a second mating connector within the disconnect system. When the first mating connector and the second mating connector are engaged, contacts in the first mating connector are engaged with corresponding contacts in the second mating connector to provide uninterrupted communications paths from the BSC to the BTS.

One of the first mating connector and the second mating connector is a fixed connector, which is securely mounted within a weather-resistant enclosure. The other of the two connectors is a moveable connector, which is moveably located within the enclosure proximate to the fixed connector so that the moveable connector is mateable with the fixed connector.

The moveable connector includes an enlarged gripping handle mounted to the connector. The gripping handle is sized and positioned with respect to the moveable connector such that the gripping handle is readily graspable by a gloved hand and is moveable away from the fixed connector in one motion to unmate the moveable connector from the fixed connector and thereby disengage the first transceiver transmission line from the first antenna transmission line and disengage the second transceiver transmission line from the second antenna transmission line. The gripping handle is clearly labeled with “PULL.” The enclosure advantageously is further labeled with instructions to pull the handle to disconnect the RF power to the cellular antennas.

When a utility worker wants to perform any activity on the support structure in the vicinity of the cellular antennas, the utility worker only has to open the weather-tight enclosure and pull the gripping handle to disconnect the RF power. The utility worker does not have to have any knowledge of the operation of the cellular base station in order to accomplish this safety procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary conventional cellular telephone base transceiver station (BTS)100. The BTS comprises a weather-tight equipment housing110, which encloses the base station electronics (not shown). The BTS further comprises an array120of cellular antennas122, which are mounted to a top portion of a conventional utility pole (pylori)130, and a coaxial cable assembly140that interconnects the cellular antennas to the electronics systems (not shown) within the equipment housing. As illustrated in the enlarged perspective view ofFIG. 2, the cable assembly comprises a first radio frequency (RF) transmission cable142, a second RF transmission cable144and a third RF transmission cable144. More or fewer transmission cables may be included in a BTS in accordance with the number of antennas in the antenna array and in accordance with the number of antenna arrays on the utility pole.

As is well known in the field of cellular communications, the electronics systems within the equipment housing110of the BTS100include devices that provide an interface with a ground-based telephone service (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the equipment within the BTS communicates with a base station controller (BSC) (not shown), which provides an interface between the cellular service provider and other communication services (e.g., local and long distance telephone services). The BTS communicates with the BSC via a plurality of T1 lines represented by a cable150inFIG. 1. Although shown as a single line inFIG. 1, it is understood that the T1 lines advantageously comprise multiple twisted pair signal lines in a single jacketed cable. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the cable advantageously comprises 32 twisted pair signal lines. As is well known in the communications art, a T1 line is a high speed digital line that carries multiplexed digitized voice signals, data signals and control signals between the BTS and the BSC. In a typical cellular system, a single BSC communicates with a large number of base transceiver stations via respect T1 lines to selectively control each BTS in accordance with the locations and activities of the cellular telephones in the area serviced by BSC.

The electronics systems within the enclosure110included transceivers (not shown) and control equipment (not shown) that are responsive to the control signals on the T1 lines150to transmit the voice and data signals received on the T1 lines via the antenna array120. The transceivers and control equipment communicate voice and data signals received via the antenna array back to the BSC via the T1 lines. The transceivers within the equipment housing operate in response to demands for cellular telephone service. In the absence of active control signals on a respective T1 line, a transceiver coupled to the T1 line remains inactive and does not transmit RF signals.

FIG. 3illustrates a perspective view of a cellular telephone base transceiver station (BTS)200that incorporates a safety device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The BTS ofFIG. 3includes the equipment housing110and the array120of cellular antennas122mounted on the utility pole130as described above in connection withFIG. 1. As shown in the enlarged perspective view ofFIG. 4, the RF cable assembly140includes the three RF transmission cables142,144,146. As discussed above, the three cables may represent additional transmission cables.

The equipment housing110inFIG. 3protects electronics systems (not shown). The electronics systems include conventional RF electronics and controllers as discussed above. The BTS ofFIG. 3is coupled to a BSC (not shown) as described above; however, the T1 lines in the T1 cable150from the BSC are not connected directly to the equipment housing. Rather, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the T1 cable from the BSC is coupled to a safety disconnect system240, which is mounted on or near the utility pole130. A second T1 cable242comprising a corresponding plurality of T1 lines is coupled from the safety disconnect system to the equipment housing. Preferably, the safety disconnect system is positioned on the utility pole at a location proximate to the bottom of the utility pole with respect to the surface from which the utility pole extends so that the safety disconnect system is easily accessible by a utility worker. For example, the safety disconnect system is advantageously positioned approximately 5 feet above the surface on which a utility worker will be standing.

As discussed in more detail below, the safety disconnect system240provides a simple and fast way of assuring that the transceivers with the equipment housing110are not operational when a utility worker wants to work on the electrical utilities or other equipment on the utility pole130. In particular, the safety disconnect system completely severs the T1 connections to each of the transceivers within the equipment housing so that the transceivers and the control equipment no longer receive control signals and data signals from the BSC. In the absence of active data and control signals, the transceivers do not transmit and therefore do not provide any RF energy to the antenna array120via the RF transmission cables140. Accordingly, once the utility worker actives the safety disconnect system as described below, the utility worker may safely ascend the utility pole to perform any maintenance and repair functions without having to worry about any RF energy being emitted from the antennas122in the antenna array.

The safety disconnect system240is illustrated inFIGS. 5-12. As shown inFIG. 5, the safety disconnect system includes a weather-resistant enclosure300, which is shown a simplified form in the drawings. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the enclosure advantageously comprises a Hoffman 12×12×6, Type 3R, enclosure commercially available from Hoffman, Anoka, Minn., as Model No. A12R126HCR. Other suitable enclosures from Hoffman and from other suppliers may also be used to house the safety disconnect system in accordance with the following description. The illustrated enclosure includes a removable front cover310that has a top that slips beneath a drip shield312. The bottom of the front cover is advantageously secured by a hasp314or other suitable securing mechanism that may be locked with a padlock (not shown) or with a tamper-evident security seal (not shown). In commercially available enclosure, the front cover may also be secured to the enclosure by screws (not shown) or latches (not shown). When closed the removable front cover protects the inside of the enclosure and any components therein against rain and other weather conditions.

The first T1 cable150from the BSC enters the enclosure300via a suitable fitting, such as, for example, a first liquid-tight, strain relief fitting320(shown inFIG. 7) through a bottom wall of the enclosure. The second T1 cable242to the equipment housing110(FIG. 3) exits the enclosure via a second liquid-tight, strain relief fitting322(shown inFIG. 7) through the bottom wall of the enclosure. The first and second T1 cables may be protected by conduits (not shown) having suitable fittings for connection to the enclosure.

Although the first T1 cable150is illustrated as running from the BSC to the enclosure300, it should be understood that the first T1 cable from the BSC can enter the equipment housing110and then connect to the enclosure on the utility pole130. This is advantageous for retrofitting existing installations where the T1 cable from the BSC to the equipment housing is already in place. In such an installation, the first T1 cable and the second T1 cable242may be routed between the equipment housing and the enclosure in a single conduit (not shown).

FIG. 6illustrates a perspective view of the safety disconnect system240ofFIG. 2after removing the cover310to open the enclosure300and prior to activating the safety disconnect mechanism described below.FIG. 7illustrates a front elevational view of the open enclosure.FIG. 8illustrates a front elevational view of the safety disconnect system after activating the safety disconnect mechanism.FIG. 9illustrates an exploded perspective view of the safety disconnect system with the cover removed.

As shown inFIGS. 6-9, the first T1 cable150from the BSC is terminated in a first connector assembly400. The first connector assembly includes a first connector402and a first strain relief cover404. The first connector assembly further includes a safety gripping handle410, which is labeled with indicia (e.g., text)412to indicate the operation of the handle. In the illustrated embodiment, the indicia provides a one-word instruction “PULL” to indicate that the handle should be pulled outward to operate.

The first connector402comprises, for example, a Model 553215 CHAMP connector configured as a receptacle with 64 contacts. The CHAMP connector is an AMP connector, which is commercially available from Tyco Electronics of Harrisburg, Pa. Similar connectors from other suppliers may also be used. Each conductor within the first T1 cable is electrically connected to at least one respective contact within the first connector. The conductors are connected to the connector in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the cable. In the illustrated embodiment, the first T1 cable is advantageously comprises 32 sets of twisted pair conductors for a total of 64 conductors. The conductors of the first T1 cable are housed within an outer weather-resistant jacket. The T1 cable may also include a shield between the conductor bundle and the outer jacket. Cables are commercially available from many suppliers. For example, in one embodiment, the 32-pair cable is provided by ADC Krone of Eden Prairie, Minn.

After connecting the ends of the conductors of the first T1 cable150to the respective contacts of the first connector402, the back of the first connector is covered with the first strain relief cover404to protect the ends of the conductors. The first strain relief cover also snugly secures the outer jacket of the first T1 cable150so that force applied to the cable is less likely to pull the cable out of the cover and disconnect any of the conductors from the first connector. Preferably, the first strain relief cover has a 90-degree exit for the first T1 cable. In the illustrated embodiment, the first strain relief cover comprises a Model No. 1-552296-1 strain relief cover from Tyco Electronics. The first strain relief cover may also comprise a corresponding strain relief cover from other suppliers. In the illustrated embodiment, the strain relief cover has a width of approximately 15.5 millimeters (approximately 0.6 inch).

In the illustrated embodiment, the first connector assembly400is positioned in the enclosure300with the engagement portion of the connector402(e.g., the surface of the connector with the exposed contacts (not shown)) directed toward a panel420mounted in a position parallel to a rear wall of the enclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the panel comprises white or clear acrylic having a thickness of approximately 0.25 inch. The panel is parallel to and offset from the rear wall of the enclosure by approximately 2.5 inches.

The panel420is labeled with additional indicia422to provide more detailed instructions to a utility worker. In the illustrated embodiment, the additional indicia comprise the four words “PULL HANDLE TO DISCONNECT,” which are positioned above the safety gripping handle410. Preferably, the indicia comprise a bright color (e.g., red) to provide distinct contrast with the panel. As further discussed below, the indicia are preferably reflective.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the panel420supports a second connector assembly430, which is connected to the second T1 cable242. The second connector assembly includes a second connector432and a second strain relief cover434. The second connector advantageously comprises, for example, a Model 552276-1 CHAMP 64-contact socket, which is an AMP connector that is commercially available from Tyco Electronics. The second T1 cable also comprises 32 twisted pairs of conductors (64 conductors) and preferably has characteristics that match the characteristics of the first T1 cable150. Each conductor within the second T1 cable is electrically connected to at least one respective contact within the second connector. Preferably, the second strain relief cover corresponds to the first strain relief cover404described above (e.g., the Model No. 1-552296-1 strain relief cover from Tyco Electronics).

The engagement portion of the second connector432is directed through an opening450(FIGS. 8 and 9) in the panel420and thus faces toward the front of the enclosure300to receive the engagement portion of the first connector402to provide a secure mechanical and electrical interconnection between the two connectors and between the corresponding contacts within the two connectors. Although not shown, the connectors may include a conventional latching mechanism to further hold the connectors together; however, the latching mechanism is not required. The connections between the conductors in the second cable assembly and the contacts of the second connector are selected so that corresponding conductors in the two cable assemblies are connected to corresponding contacts. Accordingly, when the first connector and the second connector are mated, the conductors in the two cable assemblies provide continuous electrical propagation paths between the BSC and the equipment enclosure110(FIG. 3).

As shown in the exploded view ofFIG. 9, the panel420is secured to and spaced apart from the rear wall of the enclosure300via a plurality of spacers (e.g., 4 spacers)460. The spacers are secured to the rear wall of the enclosure by a corresponding plurality of screws462and are secured to the panel by a corresponding plurality of screws464. In the illustrated embodiment, each spacer has a length of approximately 2.5 inches so that a volume is formed between the panel and the rear wall of the enclosure to accommodate the second connector assembly430and the second T1 cable242. The second connector432is secured to the back panel by two mounting screws466. Preferably, the screws that secure the spacers and the second connector are flat head screws.

As discussed above, the panel420is clearly labeled with instruction indicia422positioned above the first connector assembly400. The plainly worded indicia (PULL HANDLE TO DISCONNECT) provide a utility worker with all the information needed to safely disable the transmission of RF energy from the equipment enclosure110(FIG. 3) to the antenna array120at the top of the utility pole130. Preferably, the instruction indicia are formed with self-adhesive vinyl letters in a color (e.g., red) that contrasts with the color of the back panel. Also preferably, the vinyl letters are advantageously formed of a reflective vinyl material described below.

As discussed above, the first connector assembly400includes the safety gripping handle410, which is mechanically connected to the first connector402and the first strain relief cover404. The handle has a size and shape selected so that the handle can be easily grasped by a utility worker wearing gloves. As shown in a side elevational view of the handle inFIG. 10and a front elevational view of the handle inFIG. 11, the handle is formed from a generally rectangular material, such as, for example, ⅛ inch acrylic. Preferably, the acrylic comprises a “safety”-related color, such as bright red. The exposed side of the material is clearly marked with indicia to instruct a utility worker to PULL the handle. In the illustrated embodiment, the indicia comprise block lettering formed on a self-adhesive material, such as, for example, black reflective vinyl film. Such material is available as Calon® Reflecta-Cal Reflective Vinyl Film from Arlon, 2811 S. Harbor Boulevard, Santa Ana, Calif. 92704.

The acrylic material of the safety gripping handle410is formed to create a profile shown in side elevational view ofFIG. 10. The handle comprises a main handle portion710, an upper leg712, a lower leg714, an upper mounting flange716and a lower tab718. As shown in the front elevational view ofFIG. 9, the handle has width of approximately 1 inch except for the lower tab. The upper leg and the lower leg are generally perpendicular to the main handle portion. The upper mounting flange is generally perpendicular to the upper leg and extends downwardly approximately 0.75 inch from the upper surface of the upper leg such that the upper mounting flange is generally parallel to the main handle portion. The lower tab extends downwardly approximately 1 inch from the lower surface of the lower leg and is generally perpendicular to the lower leg. As illustrated, the main handle portion, the upper leg and the upper mounting flange have a profile that generally forms an inverted “J” shape. The lower leg portion and the main handle portion have a profile that generally forms an “L” shape.

The dimensions of the profile of the safety gripping handle410are selected in the illustrated embodiment so that a vertical height (“H” inFIG. 11) between the lower surface of the upper leg712and the upper surface of the lower leg714is approximately 3.625 inches. The facing surfaces of the upper mounting flange716and the main handle portion710are spaced apart by a horizontal distance (“D” inFIG. 11) of approximately 0.875 inch. Accordingly, when the handle is mounted to the first connector402and the first strain relief cover404, a generally rectangular opening is formed between the first strain relief cover and the main handle portion that has a length of approximately 0.875 inch and width of approximately 1 inch. The width is approximately ⅛ inch less in the portion of the handle that includes the upper mounting flange. The horizontal distance between the facing surfaces is sufficient to allow the gloved fingers of a person to be inserted between the first strain relief cover and the inner surface of the main handle portion in order to exert a force outwardly against the main handle portion. Preferably, the perpendicular transitions between the portions of the handle profile are relieved with fillets having outer radii of approximately 0.2 inch.

The upper mounting flange716of the safety gripping handle410has a mounting hole750(FIGS. 10 and 12) formed therein to receive a handle mounting screw752. Preferably, the hole has a diameter of approximately ⅛ inch. A clearance hole754is formed in an upper portion of the main handle portion710in horizontal alignment with the mounting hole. The clearance hole preferably has a diameter of approximately 0.25 inch to allow a screwdriver to extend through the clearance hole and engage the head of the handle mounting screw in the mounting hole. Preferably, the handle mounting screw is a round head screw configured to engage a Phillips head screwdriver.

As further shown inFIG. 9the mounting screw752engages a threaded bore in a first end of a handle spacer760. The handle spacer has a length selected to generally correspond to the height of the first strain relief cover404with respect to the back of the first connector402. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the handle spacer has a length of approximately 1 inch. A connector mounting screw762passes through a conventional mounting hole764in the first connector and engages the threaded bore of the handle spacer at a second end. When the handle mounting screw and the connector mounting screw are both fully tightened the upper end of the safety gripping handle410secured to the first connector.

As shown in the front elevational view ofFIG. 10, the lower tab718of the safety gripping handle410has a width corresponding to the width of the main handle portion710at the transition from the lower leg714. Immediately below the transition, the width of the lower tab is reduced by two arcuate cuts780,782that are mirrored with respect to the vertical center of the lower tab. Each cut has a radius of approximately 0.25 inch and the center of each cut is displaced inwardly by approximately 0.05 inch so that the tab has a minimum width of approximately 0.4 inch at a waist portion784approximately 0.25 inch below the lower leg. The upper portion of each cut extends horizontally outward at a tangent with respect to the uppermost perimeter of the respective cut. A lowermost portion784of the lower tab has a width of approximately 0.5 inch so that the lowermost portion is wider than the waist portion.

As shown inFIGS. 6-8, the lower tab718is secured to an extended portion790of the first strain relief cover402by at least one cable tie792. The width of the waist portion784of the lower tab is selected to be approximately the same as the width of the extended portion of the second strain relief cover so that when the tie wrap is fully tightened, the tie wrap is precluded from slipping off the lower tab by the wider lowermost portion784of the lower tab. Accordingly, the safety gripping handle410is secured to the first connector402by the mounting screws and is secured to the first strain relief cover by the tie wrap so that when the handle is pulled, the first connector is disengaged (unmated) from the second connector432.

When a utility worker arrives at the power pole130to perform repair or maintenance work, the utility worker only has to remove the cover310from the enclosure300. Then, the utility worker is faced with only one unambiguous instruction to “pull” the safety gripping handle410. After performing this single action, the first connector402is disengaged from the second connector432and all data and control signals to the transceivers within the equipment housing110are immediately terminated. In the absence of data inputs and control inputs via the second T1 cable242, all of the transceivers immediately cease operation and no longer generate any RF energy to the antennas122in the antenna array120. The utility worker can then safely ascend to the vicinity of the antenna array without having to be concerned about the effects, if any, of being close to a source of RF energy.

When the first connector402is not engaged with the second connector432on the panel420, the first connector assembly400is movable within the enclosure and is restrained only by the length and flexibility of the first T1 cable150. Accordingly, when a utility worker pulls the safety gripping handle410to disengage the connectors, the first connector assembly will move away from the second connector so that the two connectors must be purposely reengaged.

The safety gripping handle410on the first connector assembly400provides advantages over a conventional connector and strain relief cover without the gripping handle. In particular, a utility worker often wears gloves to protect from cold weather and also to protect from injuries caused by contact with rough surfaces, which may also be electrically active. Furthermore, often emergency electrical repairs have to be accomplished at night, in inclement weather, or in a combination of adverse factors. The utility worker is trained to handle issues with electrical power transmission and is not likely to be familiar with the cellular telephone transmission equipment that has been added to the utility pole. The utility worker is likely to be concerned with potential harm from exposure to RF emissions in the vicinity of the work area. The large gripping handle with the highly visible markings and simple instructions provides the utility worker with a quick and easy method to terminate the RF transmissions so that the utility worker can concentrate on the repair or maintenance work to be accomplished. The large gripping handle also presents the utility worker with a device that appears to be structurally sturdy and electrically safe so that the utility worker will not hesitate to follow the instructions. A utility worker presented with a conventional connector assembly without the gripping handle disclosed herein would have to disengage the connectors by gripping the sides of the relatively narrow (e.g., 15.5 millimeters) strain relief cover and pulling outward. The utility worker must rely on the friction between the utility worker's gloves and the sides of the strain relief cover to provide sufficient force to remove the connector. In contrast, the gripping handle presents a large surface area to be grasped by the utility worker. More particularly, the utility worker is able to position at least the tips of the worker's gloved fingers between the gripping handle and the first strain relief cover404to easily grasp the connector assembly and apply sufficient outward force against the inner surface of the gripping handle to disengage the connectors without having to rely only on friction.

While the utility worker is working on the utility pole and the BTS is inactive, the BSC connected to the BTS will recognize that the BTS is not operating by the absence of data and status signals from the BTS. Because the BSC is communicating with other BTS's in the service area, the BSC is likely to be able to route communications previously handled by the disabled BTS through one or more of the other BTS's.

After the utility worker has completed the repair or maintenance work on the utility pole, the preferred protocol is to contact the cellular telephone provide responsible for the base station so that a properly trained technician can follow the proper procedures for reactivating the antenna array120. For example, the technician will verify that the contacts in the first connector402and the second connector432have not been damaged. The technician may also turn off the transceivers before remating the two connectors so that the transceivers may be reactivated in accordance with any established protocol the cellular service company or the FCC may require. Thereafter, the technician closes the cover310on the enclosure300.

One skilled in art will appreciate that the foregoing embodiments are illustrative of the present invention. The present invention can be advantageously incorporated into alternative embodiments while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.