Abstract:
A method and apparatus for quickly connecting and disconnecting an antenna from a transceiver in a point-to-multipoint millimeter wave wireless communications system.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The present application claims the priority of pending U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/266,485 filed Feb. 6, 2001 for “Antenna Provisional,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. This application is related to commonly assigned United States patent application Serial Numbers [HAR66 010] entitled Spring Loaded Antenna Mounting System and Method; [HAR66-011] entitled Geared Aiming Mechanism; [HAR66-012] entitled Antenna Quick Connect/Disconnect System and Method; and [HAR66 013] entitled Hub IDU Insert Panel and Method, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to antennae mounting systems and methods for millimeter wave point-to multipoint wireless communications systems. Point-to-multipoint millimeter wave wireless communications systems are well known and are described, for example, in the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,313, entitled “System and Method for Broadband Millimeter Wave Data Communication.” Such systems generally consist of one or more hubs servicing a plurality of remote nodes. At both the hub and node sites, antennae must be mounted onto brackets which provide support for the antenna during system operation.  
           [0003]    Point-to-multipoint communication systems are generally modular, and generally the system must be reconfigured from time to time during operation. This configuration may include antennae of various sizes and shapes to effect the shape of the beam emitted therefrom. The need to change the reflector of such an antenna may arise because, e.g., the reflector has in some way been damaged, or the shape of the reflector must be changed to match a characteristic of the communication signal emanating from that particular antenna, or it becomes desirable to reshape the antenna beam as the result of changes in the number and location of subscribers to the communication system. In addition, it is often desirable to test the transceiver without the presence of the antenna.  
           [0004]    Generally, the antenna is built as an integral structure with the reflector bolted or otherwise permanently or semi-permanently attached to the supporting structure which may include a waveguide and the means to mount the antenna on appropriate supporting structure.  
           [0005]    Physically removing and/or installing an antenna is often a time intensive and manpower intensive job, particularly where the antenna is positioned at elevations where the workers are exposed to potentially dangerous wind and weather conditions. The weight and sail area of the antenna often present a handling problem, particularly where the application of considerable force is required. Several persons may be required to perform different tasks simultaneously, e.g., the antenna must be supported while mechanical fasteners are manipulated. This problem may be compounded where an attempt is made to remove only the reflector, and reflectors are often destroyed by the act of removing them requiring the replacement of the entire antenna.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel antenna and method in which the reflector may easily and safely removed from the remainder of the antenna before, during or after installation of the antenna.  
           [0007]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel antenna and method in which the reflector may replaced with the aid of mechanical assistance, and leaving the connection of the antenna waveguide to a support bracket undisturbed. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the antenna of the present invention;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is an exploded pictorial view illustrating the connection of the antenna components of FIG. 1 in greater detail.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a pictorial close up of one embodiment of the latch inside the slots of the antenna base shown in FIG. 1 and  2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0011]    With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.where like elements have been accorded like numerical designations, the antenna comprises a base  10  and reflector  22 . As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the base may be provided with apertures  30  for the attachment of the base  10  to a suitable conventional support bracket (not shown for clarity). The base  10  includes a waveguide  18  extending through the base  10  and standing proud therefrom for the emmination of electromagnetic energy therefrom from an attached or remote source (not shown).  
         [0012]    As shown in FIG. 2, the base  10  may include a series of female connectors  12  spaced equally around the waveguide  18 . As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3, these female connectors  12  in the preferred embodiment take the form of arcuate slots and are desirably provided with an internal spring biased latch  24 .  
         [0013]    The reflector  22 , a parabolic dish reflector in the embodiment shown, is provided with a central aperture  20  through which the waveguide  18  may be inserted as the reflector is positioned with respect to the base  10 .  
         [0014]    The reflector  22  is also provided with a connecting ring  16  provide with male connectors  14  adapted to mate with the female connectors  12  of the base  10 . Each of the connectors  14  may include a lower section  28 , connected to the connecting ring  16 , and an upper section  26  and lying generally orthogonal to the lower section  28 .  
         [0015]    Referring to FIG. 3, each of the slots  12  may be internally configured to include a sprig biased latch  24  so that the rotation of the reflector  22  with the male connectors  14  inserted within the female connectors  12 , the top section  26  of the connector passes through the gap  29  in the latch  24  to removably latch the parabolic dish reflector  22  to the base  10 .  
         [0016]    To remove the reflector  22  from the base  10 , the process is reversed. That is, the reflector  22  may be rotated about the axis defined by the waveguide  18  in the opposite direction, here clockwise, until the top section of the connector  26  is fully disengaged from the latch  24  and the reflector may be withdrawn form the base.  
         [0017]    As is readily apparent, the reflector  22  may be removed from the antenna leaving the base attached to the antenna supporting structure. This capability has great utility in the testing of the antenna and/or the transceiver to which it may be directly attached. In addition, the separation of the antenna from the base, and the base from the transceiver, greatly facilitates installation because of the reduction in the weight which must be handled. Moreover, the reflector may be easily removed and replaced without disturbing the installation of the base, the connection to the antenna waveguide or the alignment of the antenna which is often critical in millimeter wave communication systems..  
         [0018]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalence, many variations and modifications naturally occurring to those of skill in the art from a perusal hereof.