Modular small cell architecture

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10305173-B2
Application number	US-201815997721-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 5, 2018
Priority date	Aug 16, 2013
Publication date	May 28, 2019
Grant date	May 28, 2019

Abstract

A wireless communication system is provided. The system includes a common module, is shaped as a sector of a cylinder and has a power supply. A sector radio module is coupled to the power supply and incudes an access radio and an access antenna. The access antenna is configured to serve a sector of not more than 180°, and is also shaped as a sector of a cylinder.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wireless communications system, comprising:
a common module, having a power supply, wherein the common module is shaped as a sector of a cylinder and comprises an inner concave recess and an outer curved surface, and wherein the inner concave recess of the common module is configured to mount to a mounting pole and is dimensioned to receive an exterior surface of the mounting pole; and
a sector radio module separate from the common module and having an access radio and an access antenna, wherein the sector radio module is shaped as a sector of a cylinder and has an inner concave recess and an outer curved surface, and wherein the inner concave recess of the sector radio module is configured to mount to the mounting pole adjacent to the common module and is dimensioned to receive the exterior surface of the mounting pole,
wherein the sector radio module is coupled to the power supply of the common module, and wherein the access antenna being configured to serve a sector of not more than 180°,
wherein the outer curved surface of the sector radio module comprises a radome, and wherein the sector radio module is hand-holdable.

2. The wireless communications system of claim 1 , wherein the common module further provides an optical fiber demarcation, and back-haul for the access radio of the sector radio module is provided via the optical fiber demarcation.

3. The wireless communications system of claim 1 , wherein the sector radio module further comprises a back-haul radio and a back-haul antenna.

4. The wireless communications system of claim 3 , wherein the back-haul radio comprises a low capacity back-haul radio.

5. The wireless communications system of claim 3 , wherein the back-haul radio comprises a high capacity back-haul radio.

6. The wireless communications system of claim 1 , wherein the sector radio module is a first sector radio module, the wireless communication system comprises a plurality of sector radio modules that includes the first sector radio module, and wherein the plurality of sector radio modules collectively provide 360 degree access radio coverage.

7. The wireless communications system of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of sector radio modules comprises three sector radio modules, each sector radio module being shaped as a 120° sector of a cylinder.

8. The wireless communications system of claim 6 , wherein the first sector radio module is associated with a first wireless network operator and a second sector radio module of the plurality of sector radio modules is associated with a second wireless network operator.

9. The wireless communications system of claim 6 , wherein the common module is a first common module, and wherein the wireless communications system comprises a plurality of common modules that includes the first common module.

10. A wireless communications system comprising:
a common module including a power supply that is configured to convert utility power to a voltage and current suitable to power access radio operation, wherein the common module is shaped as a sector of a cylinder and has an inner concave recess and an outer curved surface, and wherein the inner concave recess of the common module is configured to mount to an antenna mounting pole and is dimensioned to receive an exterior surface of the antenna mounting pole; and
a sector radio module configured to couple to and be powered by the power supply of the common module, wherein the sector radio module includes an access radio and an access antenna, wherein the access antenna is configured to serve a sector of not more than 180°, wherein the sector radio module is shaped as a sector of a cylinder and has an inner concave recess and an outer curved surface, wherein the inner concave recess of the sector radio module is configured to mount to the antenna mounting pole adjacent to the common module and is dimensioned to receive the exterior surface of the antenna mounting pole, wherein the outer curved surface of the sector radio module comprises a radome, and wherein the sector radio module is hand-holdable.

11. The wireless communications system of claim 10 , wherein the sector radio module is a first sector radio module, wherein the wireless communications system comprises a plurality of sector radio modules that includes the first sector radio module, and wherein the plurality of sector radio modules collectively provide 360 degree access radio coverage.

12. The wireless communications system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of sector radio modules comprises three sector radio modules, each sector radio module being shaped as a 120° sector of a cylinder.

13. The wireless communications system of claim 12 , wherein the access antenna of the first sector radio module is configured to have a half power beam width of approximately 65°.

14. The wireless communications system of claim 11 , wherein the first sector radio module is associated with a first wireless network operator and a second sector radio module of the plurality of sector radio modules is associated with a second wireless network operator and mounted adjacent to the first sector radio module on the antenna mounting pole.

15. The wireless communications system of claim 11 , wherein the common module is a first common module, and wherein the wireless communications system comprises a plurality of common modules that includes the first common module.

16. The wireless communications system of claim 10 , wherein the radome of the sector radio module comprises a lightweight molded plastic cover having perforations allowing intake of cooling air such that the cooling air is directed onto heat sinks of the access radio.

17. The wireless communications system of claim 10 , wherein the sector radio module is a first sector radio module, wherein the wireless communications system further comprises a second sector radio module, and wherein the common module supplies power to both of the first and second sector radio modules.

Assignees

• Commscope Technologies Llc

Inventors

• Hendrix Walter Mark
• Slorach Robert G
• Fabbri Michael D

Classifications

• H01Q1/42

  Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome · CPC title

• H01Q1/246 Primary

  specially adapted for base stations · CPC title

• H01Q1/36

  Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; {Particular materials used therewith}(H01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence) · CPC title

• H04B1/40

  Circuits · CPC title

• H01Q1/1242

  Rigid masts specially adapted for supporting an aerial · CPC title