Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a mechanically integrated cable mesh antenna system. One embodiment of a wireless access device for a network includes a housing having at least one rib, beam forming electronics supported by the housing, and at least one antenna for providing subscribers of the network with a connection to the network, where the antenna is formed on the rib.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to cable broadband networks, and more particularly relates to cable mesh networks. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cable mesh is a relatively new type of high-capacity wireless broadband delivery system. A cable mesh network comprises a cable infrastructure (e.g., a hybrid fiber-coaxial or HFC infrastructure) and a one or more cable mesh nodes deployed at various locations and interfaced directly to the cable infrastructure. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a typical cable mesh node  100 . A cable mesh node such as the node  100  typically comprises a cable modem that connects to an HFC network and a Wi-Fi access point (AP) installed together in a common housing or enclosure. The AP includes an antenna for connecting to the cable mesh network and for providing network access to users. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , currently, a typical cable mesh node employs bolt-on antenna elements  102   1 - 102   n  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “antenna elements  102 ”) that bolt to the housing  104  of the cable mesh node  100 . The antenna elements  102  are separate from the housing  104 , which encloses the beam forming electronics. As also illustrated, a typical housing  104  contains cooling fins  106  for thermal dissipation of heat. 
     Cable mesh nodes such as the node  100  are typically attached to elevated structures, such as poles, and are typically attached in areas of other utility services, such as high voltage electrical lines and public switched telephone network (PSTN) telephone lines. The operators of the cable mesh nodes must typically negotiate access rights for placement of the cable mesh nodes and generally are confined to a defined area. Currently, a technician must typically carry the housing of the cable mesh node up a ladder and mount the housing on the pole, for example. Then, the technician must typically also mount the antenna onto the housing (and the pole), which often requires a mechanical support rod to secure the antenna. Accordingly, the size and bulkiness of the AP often makes  installation of a cable mesh node difficult, time consuming and potentially hazardous, due to the potentially close proximity to high voltage electrical lines. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a mechanically integrated antenna system for cable mesh networks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention generally provide a mechanically integrated cable mesh antenna system. One embodiment of a wireless access device for a network includes a housing having at least one rib, beam forming electronics supported by the housing, and at least one antenna for providing subscribers of the network with a connection to the network, where the antenna is formed on the rib. 
     In another embodiment, a method for making a wireless access device for interfacing to a network, includes the steps of: providing a housing having at least one rib, housing beam forming electronics within the housing, and forming at least one antenna for providing subscribers of the network with a connection to the network on the rib. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited embodiments of the invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a typical cable mesh node; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of one embodiment of a cable mesh node, according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the cable mesh node illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a second embodiment of a cable mesh node, according to the present invention;  
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a third embodiment of a cable mesh node, according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a cable mesh node, according to the present invention. 
       To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention provide a mechanically integrated cable mesh antenna system. In one embodiment, the electronics enclosure of a cable mesh node is used to contain the antenna elements in addition to the beam forming electronics. This reduces the size and improves the ruggedness of the cable mesh node. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of one embodiment of a cable mesh node  200 , according to the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a plan view of the cable mesh node  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Referring simultaneously to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cable mesh node  200  comprises a housing or electronics enclosure  202 , beam forming electronics  204  and a plurality of radiating antenna elements  206   1 - 206   n  (e.g., dipoles, microstrip lines or patches, or any other suitable antenna radiating elements, hereinafter collectively referred to as “antenna elements  206 ”) integrated with the electronics enclosure  202 , as described in further detail below. 
     In one embodiment, the electronics enclosure  202  contains an upper portion  201  and a lower portion  203 , which, when placed together, define an interior volume  210  within which the beam forming electronics  204  are housed. In addition, the upper portion  201  further comprises a plurality of thermally dissipative ribs  208   1 - 208   n  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “ribs  208 ”) disposed on an exterior surface and integrally formed as part of the upper portion  201 . For example, the upper portion  201  may be formed of a cast metal (e.g., aluminum), and the ribs  208  integrally formed with the casing in the casting of the metal. While the ribs  208  are only illustrated on the upper portion  201 , those of skill in the art will appreciate that this illustration is only for discussion purposes and that the ribs  208   may be formed on the lower portion  203  or on both the upper portion  201  and the lower portion  203 . 
     In one embodiment, the ribs  208  may also be used for dissipating heat from the beam forming electronics  204 . The radiating antenna elements  206  are individually aligned to these ribs  208  (e.g., on a one-to-one basis) and suspended over the electronics enclosure  202 , in one embodiment using dielectric spacers  207 . While dielectric spacers are depicted, those of skill in the art will appreciate that any suitable electrical isolation material may be used to electrically isolate the antenna elements  206  from the ribs  208 . The signals to be wirelessly transmitted may be provided to the antenna elements  206  by antenna element feeds (e.g., coaxial cable), which pass from the beam forming electronics  204  to the antenna elements  206  through the ribs  208 . Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that a radome (not shown) may also be disposed over the antenna elements  206 . 
     The cable mesh node  200  therefore integrates the antenna elements  206  with the electronics enclosure  202  by mounting the antenna elements  206  via the integrally formed ribs  208 . The invention reduces the overall size and bulkiness of a cable mesh node, making installation of the cable mesh node much easier and potentially safer. The ruggedness of the cable mesh node  200  is also improved by integrating the antenna elements  206  with the electronics enclosure  202 . 
     In addition, the electronics enclosure  202  under this configuration may also function as the antenna elements&#39; ground plane and, if shaped appropriately, may further perform gain-pattern enhancement and beam shaping. For instance, it is known in the art that a radiating element or elements (e.g., antennae) appropriately spaced over a purposely designed curved or formed ground-plane (in this case, the electronics enclosure  202 ) can provide antenna pattern optimization not limited to more directivity to a location or improved sidelobes. For example, these advantages may be realized in configurations where either a single-element antenna (e.g., wherein the electronics enclosure  202  is ridged and in the form of a dish) or an array of antennae (e.g., where each antenna element is installed in a calculated position) are disposed on the electronics enclosure  202  to provide steerable patterns.  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of a second embodiment of a cable mesh node  400 , according to the present invention. Like the cable mesh node  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , the cable mesh node  400  comprises a housing or electronics enclosure  402 , beam forming electronics  404  disposed within an interior volume  410  defined by upper and lower portions  401  and  403  of the electronics enclosure  402  and a plurality of radiating antenna elements  406   1 - 406   n  (e.g., dipoles, microstrip lines or patches, or any other suitable antenna radiating elements, hereinafter collectively referred to as “antenna elements  406 ”) individually mounted via a plurality of thermally dissipative metal ribs  408   1 - 408   n  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “ribs  408 ”) integrally formed on an exterior surface of the electronics enclosure  402 . Unlike the ribs  208  illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , which have a substantially uniform height, the ribs  408  of the cable mesh node  400  differ in height such that a dish-like shape is formed on the exterior of the electronics enclosure  402 . As illustrated, each antenna element  406  is installed in a calculated position, with known spacing and shaped geometry. As described above, this configuration allows the electronics enclosure  402  to function as the antenna elements&#39; ground plane and to further perform gain-pattern enhancement and beam shaping. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a third embodiment of a cable mesh node  500 , according to the present invention. The cable mesh node  500  comprises a housing or electronics enclosure  502  comprising upper and lower portions  501  and  503  and a single antenna element (e.g., dipole, microstrip line or patch, or any other suitable antenna radiating element)  506  mounted via one of a plurality of thermally dissipative metal ribs  508   1 - 508   n  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “cribs  508 ”) integrally formed on an exterior surface of the electronics enclosure  502 . As illustrated, the ribs  508  of the cable mesh node  500  differ in height such that a dish-like shape is formed on the exterior of the electronics enclosure  502 . As described above, this configuration allows the electronics enclosure  502  to function as the antenna element&#39;s ground plane and to further perform gain-pattern enhancement and beam shaping. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a cable mesh node  600 , according to the present invention. Like the cable mesh node  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , the cable mesh node  600  comprises a housing or electronics  enclosure  602 , beam forming electronics  604  disposed within an interior volume  610  defined by upper and lower portions  601  and  603  of the electronics enclosure  602  and a plurality of radiating antenna elements  606   1 - 606   n  (e.g., dipoles, microstrip lines or patches, or any other suitable antenna radiating elements, hereinafter collectively referred to as “antenna elements  606 ”) individually mounted via a plurality of thermally dissipative metal ribs  608   1 - 608   n  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “ribs  608 ”) integrally formed on an exterior surface of the electronics enclosure  602 . Unlike the cable mesh node  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , in which an antenna element is mounted to each rib, the cable mesh node  600  comprises an antenna element  606  mounted to every other rib  608 . In one embodiment, this configuration includes an antenna element  606  mounted to a center rib  608   3 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other configurations are possible in which only selected ribs  608  (as opposed to all ribs  608 ) include antenna elements  608  mounted thereto. 
     Thus, the present invention represents a significant advancement in the field of cable broadband networks. Embodiments of the invention generally provide a mechanically integrated cable mesh antenna system that reduces the size and weight and improves the ruggedness of a cable mesh node, allowing for easier installation of the cable mesh node. In addition, the novel configuration allows the electronics enclosure (including thermally dissipative metal ribs) of the cable mesh node to be deployed for beam shaping and forming. 
     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof.