Patent ID: 12213216

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein the expression “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

In addition, spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

Referring now to the drawings, a telecommunications monopole designated at100is shown inFIG.1. As can be seen inFIG.1, the monopole100, which is sized as a “metrocell” having a diameter of between about 8 to 20 inches and a height of between about 20 and 40 feet, is styled as a streetlight, with an arm102that mounts a luminaire104(such as an LED streetlight). The monopole100includes a radio module106and an antenna module108. Monopoles of many varieties are known and are discussed in, for example, U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2018/0254545; 2020/0136236; and 2020/0388907, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in full.

An antenna module for mounting on a monopole, designated broadly at110, is shown inFIGS.2-9. The antenna module110includes a foundation plate112and a bottom plate114that is separated from the foundation plate112by spacers116to form a gap115. The foundation plate112includes discontinuous arcuate slots118in the form of a circle (FIG.6) for mounting atop the monopole100, and a central hole120. The bottom plate114has an arcuate slot122positioned generally above the central hole120of the foundation plate112. A fan controller124(e.g., a temperature sensor) is mounted to the bottom plate114.

A support pole130or other support member is mounted to the upper surface of the bottom plate114and extends upwardly therefrom (seeFIGS.7-9). The support pole130is mounted off-center on the bottom plate114, somewhat opposite the slot122. The support pole130is supported by gussets134. An upper plate150is mounted to the upper end of the support pole130and extends horizontally therefrom. The upper plate150includes arcuate openings154and a central opening155.

A fan unit152is mounted to the upper plate150. A lower cap156is positioned above the upper plate150. A motor158that drives the fan unit152extends above the lower cap156and is covered with an upper cap160. The upper cap160is mounted so that a gap162is present between the upper and lower caps156,160. The fan unit is electrically connected with the fan controller124.

As shown inFIGS.3,4and7, an antenna-radio unit200is mounted to the support pole130via mounting brackets170. The antenna-radio unit200comprises both a transmit/receive radio202and an antenna204combined in the same unit (these are sometimes also known as “active” antennas). The illustrated antenna-radio unit200is a “5G” unit, which is a device that meets the requisite high level of performance and precision to satisfy 5G protocols and performance requirements. The antenna-radio unit200also includes connectors (not visible herein) to provide an interface for power and signal cables, which can be routed to the antenna radio unit200from the interior of the monopole100through the central hole120in the foundation plate112and through the arcuate slot122in the bottom plate114.

Exemplary 5G antenna-radio units200include those offered by Nokia under the designation IPAA. IPAA is an interleaved Passive/Active antenna radio that combines a full passive antenna with an active radio. In other words, the antenna204of the unit200has a lower antenna area204aand an upper antenna area204b. The lower antenna area204ais passive, and is connected with a radio (not shown) mounted elsewhere in the monopole100(for example, the unseen radio may be mounted below the module110and connected via cables that are routed through the central hole120and the arcuate slot122. The upper antenna area204bis served by the radio202that is mounted directly thereto (although in other embodiments the passive and active areas may be reversed). The IPAA is modular and field upgradeable, and offers 4G/5G a modernization solution with both 8T8R and 64T64R multi-input-multi-output (“MIMO”) options. Those skilled in this art will appreciate that other antenna-radio units may also be employed, including both active and passive antennas.

As shown inFIGS.2and5, a shroud180surrounds the module110between the bottom plate114and the lower cap156. However, and notably, the shroud180does not extend downwardly to cover the foundation plate112or upwardly beyond the lower cap156. Thus, the gaps115,162remain open to the environment. By shielding/concealing the internal equipment of the module110from view, the shroud180serves to provide a more appealing aesthetic appearance to the module110. In some embodiments, the shroud180has a diameter that substantially matches that of the monopole100. A typical diameter for the shroud180may be between about 6 and 14 inches.

Because of the presence of the gaps115,162, operation of the fan unit152draws air through the gap115and the arcuate slot122in the bottom plate114. The air flows upwardly within the shroud180, thereby cooling the antenna-radio unit200(which generates heat due to the operation of the radio204). When the cooling air reaches the upper plate150, the air flows through the holes154and the lower cap156, and is exhausted through the gap162. Operation of the fan unit152is controlled by the fan controller124, which can both activate/deactivate the fan unit152and, when activated, control its speed, typically based on the temperature within the shroud180.

The module110as described can enable easier zoning permits, especially on crowded sites, while offering an upgrade path to overlay 5G services. This concealment solution offers a combined Passive/Active antenna platform for greater capacity, seamless introduction of 5G services while supporting a wide band of legacy solutions and technologies. It features an overall structure that can be factory integrated and tested, ready to deploy on site with minimal or reduced need for skilled labor. The solution can enable mobile network operators (MNOs) to deploy 5G services at an economical scale, and can allow the swap and modernization of legacy and aged 4G-only solutions with easier zoning. With the module110, MNOs can achieve their deployment targets using existing (and new sites), fewer sites, and be fast to market. The solution is field upgradable allowing the introduction of new active antenna elements in the future, thereby eliminating costly and time consuming antenna swaps.

Referring now toFIGS.10-14, another module, designated broadly at300, is shown therein. As can be seen from the figures, the module300includes three antenna-radio units400, each of which has a radio402and an antenna404that divided into lower and upper areas404a,404b. Differences between the module100and the module300are described below.

A foundation plate312is separated from a bottom plate314by spacers316that form a gap315. The foundation plate312includes a central hole320and a series of discontinuous arcuate slots318that form a circle around the central hole320. These slots318are employed to mount the module300onto the top of a monopole10. The bottom plate314has four arcuate slots322that provide both entry for air and routing for cables/cords, and a temperature controller324is also mounted on the bottom plate314. A support pole330is mounted in the center of the bottom plate314and is supported by gussets332. A top plate350is mounted to the top of the support pole330. A fan unit352is mounted thereon, along with lower and upper caps356,362similar to those described above having a gap364therebetween.

Each of the three antenna-radio units400is mounted to the support pole330via mounting brackets370. Cables are routed through the arcuate slots322to connect with the antenna-radio units400in the manner described above. The three antenna-radio units400are mounted 120 degrees from each other, so that the module300can provide full 360 degree coverage for wireless transmission. A shroud380provides concealment for the antenna-radio units400. A typical diameter for the shroud180may be between about 10 and 20 inches.

Those skilled in this art will appreciate that the module300can provide the advantages discussed above in connection with the module100, but for a three-sector antenna module.

In addition, it should be noted that, although the modules110,300are shown on a monopole100, they may also be mounted on other structures, such as multi-leg antenna towers, rooftops (either on platforms or small poles), building walls, and the like.

Referring now toFIGS.15A-15E, an alternative antenna module300′ according to embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. Properties and/or features of the antenna module assembly300′ may be described above in reference to the antenna modules110,300shown inFIGS.2-14and duplicate discussion thereof may be omitted herein for the purposes of discussingFIGS.15A-15E.

As shown inFIGS.15A-15E, the antenna module300′ includes a foundation plate312′ and a bottom plate314′ that is separated from the foundation plate312′ by spacers316′ to form a gap315′. The spacers316′ (and gap315′) are configured to lift the module300′ slightly above a top end of the monopole100, which will help to allow air to flow into the antenna module300′. The foundation plate312′ includes discontinuous arcuate slots318′ in the form of a circle (FIG.15D) for mounting atop the monopole100. The foundation plate312′ also includes discontinuous arcuate slots317′ sized such that cables may be routed from the monopole100into the antenna module300′. Located generally above the foundation plate312′, the bottom plate314′ also has corresponding discontinuous arcuate slots322′ sized such that cables may be routed through into the antenna module300′ (see, e.g.,FIG.15E). For example, in some embodiments, cables may be routed from the monopole100through the slots317′ of the foundation plate312′, then through the arcuate slots322′ of the bottom plate314′ to antenna-radio unit(s)400within the antenna module300′. As shown inFIGS.15D-15E, in some embodiments, the bottom plate314′ may be hexagonal in shape.

In some embodiments, the antenna module300′ may be sized and configured to be used on rooftop deployments. For example, in some embodiments, the foundation plate312′ may be configured to be mounted on a smaller monopole100or rooftop platform. In some embodiments, the antenna module300′ may be sized and configured to be mounted on other types of deployments such as tower deployments (e.g., telecommunication lattice towers, electricity towers, concrete poles and/or concrete towers, etc.).

As shown inFIG.15E, the antenna module300′ further includes a support pole330′ or other support member(s). In some embodiments, the support pole330′ is tubular (i.e., hollow) such that air may flow up through the pole330′. In some embodiments, the support pole330′ is mounted to the upper surface of the bottom plate314′ and extends upwardly therefrom (see, e.g.,FIG.15E). The support pole330′ may be mounted generally in the center on the bottom plate314′, with the discontinuous arcuate slots322′ positioned circumferentially around the support pole330′. The support pole330′ is open at both ends which will allow air to flow in through one end (e.g., through an opening in the bottom plate314′) and out the other end (e.g., through fan unit352′). In some embodiments, the hollow support pole330′ may comprise a plurality of holes (not shown) that may allow air to flow from the support pole330′ into the antenna module300′.

A fan controller324′ (e.g., a temperature sensor) is mounted to the bottom plate314′. A fan unit352′ is mounted to the top of the support pole330′. A lower cap356′ is positioned above the fan unit352′. An upper cap362′ is mounted such that a gap364′ is present between the upper and lower caps356′,362′. The fan unit352′ is electrically connected with the fan controller324′. Similar to antenna module300described herein, the fan unit352′ is configured to draw air up through the support pole330′ and the arcuate slots317′,322′ to cool the interior of the antenna module300′.

Because of the presence of the gaps315′,364′, operation of the fan unit352′ draws air through the gap315′ and the bottom plate314′ into the support pole330′. The air flows upwardly through the support pole330′ and into the concealed interior of the antenna module300′ through arcuate slots317′,322′ exiting through holes in the support pole330′ (and the arcuate slots317′,322′) into the antenna module300′, thereby cooling the antenna-radio unit(s)400(which generates heat due to the operation of the radio(s)402). When the cooling air reaches the lower cap356′, the air is exhausted through the gap364′. Operation of the fan unit352′ is controlled by the fan controller324′, which can both activate/deactivate the fan unit352′ and, when activated, control its speed, typically based on the temperature within the antenna module300′.

As shown inFIGS.15A-15E, one or more antenna-radio units400, as described herein, are mounted to the support pole330′ within the antenna module300′. The antenna-radio units400may be mounted to the support pole330′ via one or more mounting brackets500, described in further detail below (see, e.g.,FIGS.16A-16B). In some embodiments, the antenna module300′ comprises two or more antenna-radio units400. For example, as shown inFIGS.15A-15E, in some embodiments, the antenna module300′ may comprise three antenna-radio units400. The antenna-radio units400have 120 degrees of separation. As discussed below, in some embodiments, the antenna module300′ may allow for the antenna-radio units400to be down-tilted (via mounting bracket500).

In some embodiments, one or more shroud members (or radomes)380′ surround the antenna module300′ between the bottom plate314′ and the lower cap356′. As shown inFIG.15E, the antenna module300′ has three shroud members380′ (each shroud member380′ corresponding to an antenna-radio unit400). However, and notably, the shroud members380′ do not extend downwardly to cover the foundation plate312′ or upwardly beyond the lower cap356′. Thus, the gaps315′,364′ remain open to the environment. By shielding/concealing the internal equipment of the antenna module300′ from view, the shroud members380′ serve to provide a more appealing aesthetic appearance to the antenna module300′ (particularly when the wall of each shroud member380′ is substantially flush with the front surface of the antenna-radio unit400). In some embodiments, the shroud members380′ are formed of a polymeric material, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

In some embodiments, each shroud member380′ is configured such that, when placed on the antenna module300′, the exterior shape of the antenna module300′ is hexagonal. In some embodiments, each shroud member380′ may comprise a removable hatch381′ that allows access into the interior of the antenna module300′ (e.g., to allow a technician to connect cables to the antenna-radio units400).

In some embodiments, each shroud member380′ comprises a cut-out portion382′ (or “window”). Each cut-out portion382′ is sized and configured such that at least a portion of the antenna-radio unit400may extend through the respective shroud member380′. In some embodiments, a grommet or sealant may be used to seal and/or fill any gaps between the edges of the cut-out portion(s)382′ and the antenna-radio unit(s)400, thereby preventing any moisture (e.g., rain) from entering the antenna module300′. The cut-out portions382′ in the shroud members380′ may help to improve the overall RF performance of the antenna-radio units400by mitigating undesired impact on antenna gains and RF signal distortion, especially when dealing with a wideband spectrum.

In some embodiments, the cut-out portions382′ may also allow the introduction of a down-tilt feature for the antenna-radio units400. For example, in some embodiments, the antenna-radio units400may be configured to be tilted between about 0 degrees to about 15 degrees, such that the upper portion of the antenna-radio400extends radially outwardly through the window382′. An exemplary mount500that may allow for the down-tilt of the antenna-radio unit400is illustrated inFIGS.16A-186B. The mount500is configured to secure the antenna-radio unit(s)400to the support pole330′. As shown inFIGS.16A-16B, opposing sides502of the mount500may have a tilt adjustment mechanism504. In some embodiments, the tilt adjustment mechanism6504may comprise a series of holes (or notches)504athat are configured such that the antenna-radio unit(s)400may be tilted in 1 degree increments. The sealant or grommet mentioned above may be configured such that the seal with the antenna-radio unit400remains even when the antenna-radio unit400is tilted.

The modularity of the antenna module300′ and relative light weight allows for ease of site delivery and installation. For example, the antenna module300′ may be provided as a flat-packed kit that can be hand carried to rooftops through staircases and most elevators, then assembled on site. Thus, eliminating the need for crane hires, associated traffic management and/or road closure permits (e.g., due to weight and size) to move the module300to the desired rooftop site locations. The modularity of the antenna module300may also provide for streamlining operation and maintenance by making it easier to replace a faulty module300′ or upgrade an existing module300′ on site with minimal costs. Finally, the antenna module300′ will support most antenna-radio units400, thereby allowing greater flexibility for services providers.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.