ANTENNA DEVICE FOR MOBILE TELEPHONY

Abstract: The antenna device for mobile telephony comprises an antenna mast and at least one elongate antenna module. The antenna module is connected to the antenna mast for rotation through a limited angle about a horizontal rotation axis. The antenna device further comprises an adjusting mechanism for adjusting an angle included by the axial axis of the antenna mast and the longitudinal direction of the antenna module. The adjusting mechanism is arranged adjacent a lower side of the antenna module. The rotation axis is located above the adjusting mechanism.

Description: Title: Antenna device for mobile telephony. This invention relates to an antenna device for mobile telephony, comprising an antenna mast and at least one elongate antenna module whose longitudinal direction extends at least substantially in an axial axis of the antenna mast, the antenna module being connected to the antenna mast for rotation through a limited angle about a horizontal rotation axis, the antenna device further comprising an adjusting mechanism for adjusting an angle included by the axial axis of the antenna mast and the longitudinal direction of the antenna module. Such an antenna device is often installed on a building. It is then important that the elevation of the antenna module can be accurately set. A disadvantage of the known antenna device is that operating the adjusting mechanism in order to set the elevation requires a person to proceed to approximately the highest point of the antenna module, because the adjusting mechanism is arranged there. This typically requires the use of a ladder, which involves considerable dangers, in particular when the antenna device is placed on top of a building. Moreover, it takes relatively much time to set the antenna device in this manner. The object of the invention is to meet the disadvantage outlined. Accordingly, the invention is characterized in that the adjusting mechanism is arranged adjacent a lower side of the antenna module and that the rotation axis is located above the adjusting mechanism. Because presently the adjusting mechanism is arranged adjacent a lower end of the antenna module, it can be operated in a simple manner, without the person involved needing to go to the top of the antenna module. In particular, further, the antenna module comprises an extruded section comprising a tubular base body whose longitudinal direction extends in the longitudinal direction of the antenna module, and at least one antenna unit which is mounted on an outer side of the extruded section. The advantage of this particular embodiment of the antenna device is that the extruded section can fulfill various functions. Primarily, it provides a supporting structure; it further provides the necessary stiffness of the antenna module, it provides the possibility of arranging a coupling with the antenna mast which is rotatable about the horizontal rotation axis, and it provides the possibility of providing a point of engagement for the adjusting mechanism. Further, a part of the extrusion can moreover function as a reflector for the antenna units. The invention will presently be further explained with reference to the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of an antenna device according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a cross section of an antenna device according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a part of an antenna device according to Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of an antenna device according to the invention. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 designates an antenna device for mobile telephony. The antenna device comprises an antenna mast 2 and an elongate antenna module 4, whose longitudinal direction extends at least substantially in an axial direction of the antenna mast 2. Because the antenna module 4 is of curved design (see Fig. 1) and in connection with a possibility of adjusting the elevation of the antenna, to be discussed in more detail below, the longitudinal direction of the antenna module will generally not be completely parallel to the axial axis of the antenna mast. The two directions have been indicated in the figure by the arrows 6 and 8, respectively. The antenna module 4 is rotatably connected to the antenna mast 2 for rotation through a limited angle about a horizontal rotation axis 10. The antenna device 1 further comprises an adjusting mechanism 12 for setting an angle α included by the axial axis of the antenna mast and the longitudinal direction of the antenna module (see also the angle α included by the arrows 6 and 8). As can be properly seen in Fig. 1, the adjusting mechanism 12 is located adjacent a lower end 14 of the antenna module 4. The rotation axis 10 is located above the adjusting mechanism 12. Through operation of the adjusting mechanism 12, the angle α can be varied. In general, the angle α will be set such that the gain of the antenna module, which is designated in Fig. 1 by the arrow 16, is directed slightly obliquely downwards. In the example, as shown in Fig. 1, the arrow 16 runs at least substantially parallel to the horizon, so that the angle α will generally have to be enlarged through adjustment. Owing to the adjusting mechanism 12 being located adjacent the lower end 14 of the antenna module 4, it can be operated by a person without generally necessitating the use of a ladder. It will be clear that by means of an adjusting mechanism, a distance d between a lower side 14 of the antenna module and the antenna mast 2 can be varied for setting the included angle α. In this example, the adjusting mechanism 12 comprises a bracket in the form of a linkage, of which a first end 16 is connected to the antenna mast and of which a second end 18 is connected to the antenna module 4. As can be properly seen in Fig. 2, the antenna module 4 comprises an extruded section 20, which is hatched in Fig. 2. The extruded section 20 in this example is manufactured from aluminum. The extruded section 20 comprises a tubular base body 22, whose longitudinal direction extends in the longitudinal direction of the antenna module. Further, the antenna module comprises a number of antenna units 24. A cross section of a single antenna module 24 is shown in Fig. 3. The antenna units 24 are mounted on an outer side of the extruded section. The tubular section 20 is connected to the antenna mast 2 for rotation about the horizontal rotation axis 10. To that end, the antenna mast is provided with two brackets 26, to which the antenna module is rotatably connected. The adjusting mechanism 12 is also connected to the tubular section. In this example, therefore, it holds that the free end 18 of the bracket 12 is connected with the extruded section. In this example, a plurality of antenna units are connected with the extruded section 20, displaced relative to each in the longitudinal direction 6 of the antenna module. A portion 27 of an outer side of a base body has an at least substantially flat surface that functions as a reflector which, in use, reflects radio signals from or to the antenna units 24. An interspace 29 is present between the antenna units 24 and the outer side 27 of the base body 22, functioning as reflector. The extruded section 20 further comprises two support arms 28, each extending from the surface 27, functioning as reflector, in a direction away from the surface. The antenna units 24 are received between these supporting arms and connected to these supporting arms. Each of the antenna units 24 is connected to the supporting arms 28 for rotation about a horizontal rotation axis 30. With each of the antenna units 24, therefore, the rotation about the rotation axis 30 associated with the respective antenna unit 24 can be adjusted. In general, the antenna units 24 will be set in combination, such that they form a faced-away antenna. The extruded section 20 has as an advantage that it fulfills several functions. The extruded section 20 provides the necessary stiffness to the antenna module. Further, the extruded section provides the rotatable suspension for rotation about the rotation axis 10. In addition, the extruded section provides the reflector surface 27. Also, the adjusting mechanism 16 can engage the extruded section 20. Finally, the extruded section carries the various antenna units 24. The antenna module further comprises a radome 32 which, together with the extruded section 20, forms a housing which encloses a space 34, in which the antenna units 24 are accommodated. The radome is connected to the supporting arms 28 adjacent the free ends 36 of the supporting arms 28. The antenna module further comprises a cap 38 of U-shaped cross section. The extruded section 20 is located in between the cap 38 and the radome 32. By the cap 38 and the extruded section 20, a space 40 is enclosed, in which wiring 42 for the antenna modules 24 can be received. This wiring is also shown in Fig. 1. As appears from Fig. 1, the cap 38 does not extend throughout the length of the antenna module. The invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments outlined hereinbefore. Thus, the antenna device can also comprise two or more elongate antenna modules. Such a situation is shown in Fig. 4. The two antenna modules 4, 4' which are shown in Fig. 4 are each connected to the antenna mast 2 for rotation about a horizontal rotation axis 10 and 10', respectively. Such variants are also understood to fall within the framework of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An antenna device for mobile telephony, comprising an antenna mast and at least one elongate antenna module whose longitudinal direction extends at least substantially in an axial axis of the antenna mast, the antenna module being connected to the antenna mast for rotation through a limited angle about a horizontal rotation axis, the antenna device further comprising an adjusting mechanism for adjusting an angle included by the axial axis of the antenna mast and the longitudinal direction of the antenna module, characterized in that the adjusting mechanism is arranged adjacent a lower side of the antenna module and that the rotation axis is located above the adjusting mechanism. 2. An antenna device according to claim 2, characterized in that by means of the adjusting mechanism a distance between a lower side of the antenna module and the antenna mast can be varied for setting said included angle. 3. An antenna device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjusting mechanism comprises a bracket in the form of a hnkage, of which a first end is connected to the antenna mast and of which a second end is connected to the antenna module. 4. An antenna device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna module comprises an extruded section comprising a tubular base body whose longitudinal direction extends in the longitudinal direction of the antenna module, and at least one antenna unit which is mounted on an outer side of the extruded section. 5. An antenna device according to claim 4, characterized in that the extruded section is rotatably connected to the antenna mast for rotation about the horizontal rotation axis. 6. An antenna device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the adjusting mechanism is connected to the antenna mast and the extruded section. 7. An antenna device according to claim 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that a portion of an outer side of the base body comprises an at least substantially flat surface which functions as a reflector which, in use, reflects radio signals from and/or to the antenna unit. 8. An antenna device according to claim 7, characterized in that an interspace is present between the antenna unit and said outer side of the base body functioning as reflector. 9. An antenna device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the extruded section further comprises two supporting arms each extending from the surface functioning as reflector, in a direction away from this surface, and the antenna unit is received between these supporting arms and is connected to these supporting arms. 10. An antenna device according to any one of claims 4-9, characterized in that the antenna module comprises a plurality of antenna units which are connected to the extruded section, displaced relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the antenna module. 11. An antenna device according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the antenna module further comprises a radome which, together with the extruded section, forms a housing in which the antenna units are received. 12. An antenna device according to claim 11, characterized in that the radome is connected to the supporting arms adjacent free ends of the supporting arms. 13. An antenna device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna module further comprises a cap having a U-shaped cross section, the extruded section being located in between the cap and the radome, and the cap and the extruded section enclosing a space in which wiring of the antenna units is received.

Inventors: KOUTERS LUCAS JOHANNES CORNELI, VAN DER MAST HENDRICUS LEONARD, WITTE JOHANNES HENDRICUS, KOUTERS, LUCAS, JOHANNES, CORNELIS, VAN DER MAST, HENDRICUS, LEONARDS, MARIA, WITTE, JOHANNES, HENDRICUS
Applicants: KOUTERS LUCAS JOHANNES CORNELI, LIBERTEL NETWERK BV, MAST HENDRICUS LEONARDS MARIA, WITTE JOHANNES HENDRICUS, KOUTERS, LUCAS, JOHANNES, CORNELIS, LIBERTEL NETWERK B.V., VAN DER MAST, HENDRICUS, LEONARDS, MARIA, WITTE, JOHANNES, HENDRICUS
Application year: 2000
Main classification: H01Q3
IPC codes: H01Q1, H01Q3