Mounting device and base station antenna system and mounting method

The installation device, which uses a support base and plug-in structure, solves the problem of difficult installation of the radio frequency remote unit on the base station antenna, and achieves simple and accurate positioning and automatic electrical connection, saving installation space.

CN114069202BActive Publication Date: 2025-11-04OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202010740945.2
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2020-07-29
Publication Date
2025-11-04
Estimated Expiration
2040-07-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In the existing technology, the installation of radio frequency remote units on base station antennas is difficult and not easy to accurately position, resulting in wasted installation space and difficulty in determining the connection length in advance.

Method used

An installation device employing a support base, support elements, and a plug-in structure enables precise positioning of the radio frequency remote unit on the base station antenna by moving the support elements between a first position and a second position, and establishes an electrical connection by engaging the plug and socket elements.

Benefits of technology

It enables simple and accurate positioning and automatic electrical connection of the radio frequency remote unit on the base station antenna, improving installation efficiency and positioning reliability, and saving installation space.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a mounting device for mounting a radio remote unit (2) to a base station antenna (1) and to a base station antenna system formed thereby. The mounting device comprises a support base (6) configured for mounting to the base station antenna and for supporting the radio remote unit, a support element configured for mounting to the radio remote unit and movable in the mounted state together with the radio remote unit between a first position in which the support element is lifted from the support base and a second position in which the support element is supported on the support base, a plug-in structure comprising a plug-in element and a socket element, one of the plug-in element and the socket element being configured for mounting to the base station antenna and the other of the plug-in element and the socket element being configured for mounting to the radio remote unit, the plug-in element and the socket element being separated from each other in the first position and being engaged with each other in the second position.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of base station antennas, more specifically to a mounting device and a mounting method for mounting a radio remote unit to a base station antenna and to a base station antenna system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In wireless communication networks, base station antennas can be equipped with radio remote units (RRUs), both of which can be electrically connected to each other by a jumper. Typically, the base station antenna and the radio remote unit can be installed separately on different masts, so that not only the base station antenna but also the radio remote unit requires a separate installation space. The relative position of the base station antenna and the radio remote unit can be determined only at the installation site, so that the length of the jumper for electrically connecting the base station antenna and the radio remote unit to each other cannot be determined in advance. For some base station antennas, a radio remote unit can be installed thereon, so that installation space can be saved. However, the installation of the radio remote unit on the base station antenna can be difficult. With regard to related prior art, reference is made to patent documents US20170149115A1 and WO2018022307A1, which disclose a combination of a radio remote unit and a base station antenna. SUMMARY

[0003] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a mounting device and a mounting method for mounting a radio remote unit to a base station antenna, wherein the mounting device enables an easy and precise installation of the radio remote unit on the base station antenna, and a base station antenna system formed by the mounting device.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a mounting device for mounting a radio remote unit to a base station antenna is proposed, the mounting device comprising:

[0005] a support base configured for mounting to the base station antenna and for supporting the radio remote unit;

[0006] a support element configured for mounting to the radio remote unit and movable together with the radio remote unit between a first position, in which the support element is lifted from the support base, and a second position, in which the support element is supported on the support base, in a mounted state of the support element mounted to the radio remote unit; and

[0007] a plug-in structure comprising a plug-in element and a socket element, one of the plug-in element and the socket element being configured for mounting to the base station antenna and the other of the plug-in element and the socket element being configured for mounting to the radio remote unit, the plug-in element and the socket element being separated from each other in the first position and being engaged with each other in the second position.

[0008] With such a mounting device, during installation, only simple operating steps are required to achieve a precise positioning of the radio remote unit on the base station antenna, wherein the radio remote unit can first be placed in a first position and then can be moved under the influence of gravity into a second position.

[0009] In case the radio remote unit and the support base have mating radio connectors, these radio connectors can be plugged in blindly and the electrical connection is established automatically in the second position.

[0010] In some embodiments, the mounting device can comprise a pin-hole connection structure, which can comprise a pin and a hole, wherein one of the pin and the hole can be assigned to the radio remote unit and the other of the pin and the hole can be assigned to the support base, in the first position the pin and the hole can be separated from each other and in the second position the pin and the hole can be engaged with each other. By means of the pin-hole connection structure the positioning reliability of the radio remote unit can be improved during installation of the radio remote unit.

[0011] In some embodiments, the plug-in structure and the pin-hole connection structure can be configured to linearly translate the radio remote unit between the first position and the second position.

[0012] In some embodiments, the radio remote unit can be movable in a longitudinal direction of the base station antenna between the first position and the second position.

[0013] In some embodiments, the plug-in elements and the socket elements can have complementary cross sections. For example, they can have a T-shaped cross section.

[0014] In some embodiments, the plug-in elements can be provided on the radio remote unit and the socket elements can be provided on the base station antenna. It is understood that the opposite arrangement is also feasible.

[0015] In some embodiments, the mounting device can comprise a mounting frame, which is configured for mounting to the base station antenna.

[0016] In some embodiments, the mounting frame can comprise two longitudinal beams parallel to each other, which can each have a cut-out and a guide slot as a socket element, which extends along the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beam, wherein in the first position the two plug-in elements can be guided through the respective cut-outs into the respective guide slots and then can be moved along the respective guide slots into the second position.

[0017] In some embodiments, the mounting device can comprise a first adapter plate, which has the two plug-in elements, which is configured for mounting to the radio remote unit.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first adapter plate can have a body and the two plug elements extending from the body in a transverse direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, the support base can have a boss, the support element being supportable on the boss in the second position.

[0020] In some embodiments, the boss can have a transversely extending groove, the support element being supported and received in the groove in the second position.

[0021] In some embodiments, the boss can have a transversely extending edge, the support element can have a transversely extending groove, the support element receiving the edge of the boss in the groove in the second position.

[0022] In some embodiments, the support element can be configured as a second adapter plate, the second adapter plate comprising a body for lying flat against and being fixed to the radio remote unit and a support section extending from the body.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first adapter plate and the second adapter plate can be separate components from one another or can be one integral component.

[0024] In some embodiments, the support section can be supported and received in the groove of the boss in the second position.

[0025] In some embodiments, the second adapter plate can have a recess, the boss being received in the recess in the second position such that the second adapter plate is positioned in the transverse direction by the boss.

[0026] In some embodiments, the mounting device can comprise a mounting strip configured for mounting transversely to the base station antenna and having at least one first guide groove, preferably two parallel first guide grooves spaced apart from one another, as a socket element.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first guide groove can extend in the longitudinal direction of the base station antenna in the mounted state of the mounting strip on the base station antenna.

[0028] In some embodiments, the mounting device can comprise at least one, for example two parallel, first plug strips configured for mounting to the radio remote unit as plug elements.

[0029] In some embodiments, the support base can have at least one, for example two parallel, second guide grooves spaced apart from one another.

[0030] In some embodiments, the second guide channel can extend in the longitudinal direction of the base station antenna in the mounted state of the support base on the base station antenna.

[0031] In some embodiments, the mounting device can comprise at least one, for example two, parallel second patch bars to be mounted to the radio remote unit as support elements.

[0032] In some embodiments, in the first position the second patch bar can be separated from the second guide channel and in the second position the second patch bar can be engaged with the second guide channel and supported on the support base.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first patch bar and the second patch bar can be identically or differently configured.

[0034] In some embodiments, the mounting device can comprise a locking device configured for locking the radio remote unit on the base station antenna in the second position.

[0035] In some embodiments, each longitudinal beam can be provided with a locking device comprising a nut received in the longitudinal beam against rotation, a screw rod engaged with the nut and a handle for rotating the screw rod, the nut and the plug element associated with the longitudinal beam having associated inclined surfaces.

[0036] In some embodiments, each first guide channel can be provided with a first locking device configured for locking the first patch bar inserted into the first guide channel.

[0037] In some embodiments, each second guide channel can be provided with a second locking device configured for locking the second patch bar inserted into the second guide channel.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first patch bar and the second patch bar can be identically, similarly or differently configured.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first locking device and the second locking device can be identically, similarly or differently configured.

[0040] In some embodiments, the support base can have a plurality of radio frequency connectors configured for electrical connection with the base station antenna and for electrical connection with the radio frequency connectors of the radio remote unit in the second position.

[0041] According to a second aspect of the present application, a base station antenna system is suggested comprising a base station antenna and a radio remote unit and a mounting device according to the first aspect of the present application for mounting the radio remote unit to the base station antenna.

[0042] In some embodiments, the base station antenna and the radio remote unit can be pre-assembled by means of the mounting device and then jointly mounted as one structural unit to the guyed mast.

[0043] In some embodiments, the base station antenna can be first mounted to the guyed mast and then the radio remote unit can be mounted to the base station antenna by means of the mounting device.

[0044] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a mounting method for mounting a radio remote unit to a base station antenna is suggested, comprising the following steps:

[0045] mounting a support base to the base station antenna and mounting a support element to the radio remote unit;

[0046] mounting one of a plug element and a socket element of a plug-in structure to the base station antenna and mounting the other of the plug element and the socket element to the radio remote unit; and

[0047] moving the radio remote unit to a first position relative to the base station antenna, in which first position the plug element and the socket element to be engaged with each other are aligned with each other, the support element is lifted from the support base;

[0048] moving the radio remote unit from the first position to a second position relative to the base station antenna, in which second position the support element is supported on the support base, the plug element and the socket element are engaged with each other.

[0049] In some embodiments, the mounting method can be further characterized in that, in the first position, the pin and the hole of the pin-hole connection structure to be engaged with each other can be aligned with each other, wherein one of the pin and the hole is assigned to the radio remote unit, the other of the pin and the hole is assigned to the support base, wherein the pin-hole connection structure positions the radio remote unit during the movement of the radio remote unit relative to the base station antenna from the first position to the second position.

[0050] In some embodiments, the mounting method can make use of the mounting device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0051] The above-mentioned technical features, the below-mentioned technical features and the technical features available in the drawings can be arbitrarily combined with each other, as long as they are not mutually contradictory. All technically feasible combinations of features are part of the technical content of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0052] The present invention will be explained in detail below by means of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In which:

[0053] Figure 1 andFigure 2 is a perspective view of a base station antenna system according to an embodiment of the application in a raised position and in a lowered position of the radio remote unit.

[0054] Figure 3 is Figure 1 an exploded view of the base station antenna system of

[0055] Figures 4A to 4E is Figure 1 a plurality of detail views of the base station antenna system of

[0056] Figure 5 is Figure 1 a perspective view of a support base of a mounting device of the base station antenna system of

[0057] Figure 6A is Figure 1 a perspective view of a support element of a mounting device of the base station antenna system of

[0058] Figure 6B is Figure 1 a partial sectional view of the base station antenna system of

[0059] Figure 7 and Figure 8 are a side view and an exploded view of a base station antenna system according to another embodiment of the application.

[0060] Figure 9 is a partial sectional view along the section line A-A in Figure 7

[0061] Figure 10 and Figure 11 are a schematic view and a partial sectional view of a wiring structure according to an embodiment of the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Figure 1 and Figure 2 are perspective views of a base station antenna system according to an embodiment of the application in different positions of the radio remote unit, and Figure 3 is Figure 1 an exploded view of the base station antenna system of

[0063] The mounting device 3 can comprise a support base 6 configured for mounting to the base station antenna 1 and supporting the radio remote unit 2. In the lowered state shown in Figure 1 the radio remote unit 2 is supported on the support base 6, i.e. in a second position. In the raised state shown in Figure 2 ​In the raised state shown, the radio remote unit 2 is raised from the support base 6, i.e. is in the first position. The radio remote unit 2 can be moved between the first position and the second position, e.g. linearly in the longitudinal direction of the base station antenna 1, when not locked.

[0064] The mounting device 3 can comprise a support element 10 (see Figure 3 and Figure 6A , 6B ), which is configured for mounting to the radio remote unit 2 and which, in a mounted state in which the support element 10 is mounted to the radio remote unit 2, can be moved together with the radio remote unit 2 between the first position, in which the support element 10 is raised from the support base, and the second position, in which the support element 10 is supported on the support base 6. The support element 10 can be configured as an adapter plate, which can comprise a body 31 for lying flat against the radio remote unit 2 and being fixed thereto and a support section 32 extending from the body 31. The support base 6 can have a boss 12, on which the support element 10 can be supported in the second position. The boss 12 can have a recess 15 extending transversely, in which the support section 32 of the support element 10 can be supported and received in the second position. The support element 10 can have a recess 33, in which the boss 12 is received in the second position, so that the support element 10 is positioned in the transverse direction by the boss 12. The support element 10 can be fastened to the radio remote unit 2 by means of screws, for example. For this purpose, a plurality of screw holes 34 (see Figure 6A ) can be provided in the body 31 of the support element 10.

[0065] The mounting device 3 can comprise a plug-in structure, which can comprise a plug element and a socket element, one of which is configured for mounting to the base station antenna and the other of which is configured for mounting to the radio remote unit, the plug element and the socket element being separated from each other in the first position and being engaged with each other in the second position. In an embodiment as Figures 1 to 3 shown, the mounting device 3 can comprise an adapter plate 7, which can be configured for mounting to the radio remote unit 2. The adapter plate can have a body 22 and the two plug elements 23 extending from the body 22 in the transverse direction, which can be plugged into two corresponding socket elements of the base station antenna 1. The plug elements and the socket elements can have complementary cross sections. In an embodiment as Figures 1 to 3In the shown embodiment, the mounting device 3 can comprise a mounting frame 4 which is configured for mounting to the base station antenna 1 and which comprises two longitudinal beams 5 which are parallel to each other. The longitudinal beams 5 have each a cut-out 21 and a guide slot as a socket element which extends along the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beam, wherein in a first position two plug elements 23 can be guided through the respective cut-out 21 into the respective guide slot and can then be moved along the respective guide slot into a second position. The adapter plate 7 and the support element 10 can be two separate parts from each other or one integral part.

[0066] Figure 4A and 4B is shown Figure 1 is shown in detail in the partial view A encircled therein, wherein in Figure 4A the longitudinal beam 5 and the adapter plate 7 are described, in Figure 4B only the longitudinal beam 5 is described without the adapter plate 7. The complete cross-section of the longitudinal beam 5 outside the area of the cut-out 21 is described in Figure 4D The longitudinal beam 5 can have a plurality of longitudinally extending cavities, wherein one cavity 25 can form by the cut-out 21 a guide slot as a socket element for the plug element 23 and another cavity 26 can be used for receiving a nut 27 of a locking device 9 which will be described later (see Figure 4E ).

[0067] The mounting frame 4 can comprise an upper connection strip 8. The connection strip 8 can connect the two longitudinal beams 5 to each other on the upper end portions of the two longitudinal beams 5. The connection strip 8 can be used for connection with clamping means not shown in order to connect the base station antenna 1 by means of the connection strip 8 and the clamping means with a guyed mast not shown above. The support base 6 can connect the two longitudinal beams 5 to each other on the lower end portions of the two longitudinal beams 5. For this purpose, the support base 6 can have a standing web 17 (see Figure 5 ) and can be connected with the two longitudinal beams 5, for example by means of screws. The support base 6 can be used for connection with clamping means not shown in order to connect the base station antenna 1 by means of the support base 6 and the clamping means with the guyed mast below. For this purpose, the support base 6 can have a joint 16 (see Figure 5 ) which is configured for connection with the clamping means.

[0068] The mounting device 3 can comprise a pin-hole connection structure as shown in Figure 4C which is shown in Figure 2Detail of the local B of the pin-hole connection. The pin-hole connection comprises a pin 24 and a hole 11, wherein one of the pin and the hole is assigned to the radio remote unit 2 and the other of the pin and the hole is assigned to the support base 6. In a first position, the pin and the hole are separated from each other and in a second position, the pin and the hole are engaged with each other. In the shown embodiment, the support base 6 has the hole 11 and the radio remote unit 2 has the pin 24. In order to guide the pin 24 better, the hole 11 can have a conical surface. In some embodiments, the plug-in connection and the pin-hole connection can be configured to linearly translate the radio remote unit 2 between the first position and the second position.

[0069] The mounting device 3 can comprise a locking device 9 configured for locking the radio remote unit 2 in the second position on the base station antenna 1, for example on the stringers 5 of the mounting frame 4 fixed on the base station antenna 1. Each stringer 5 can be assigned one locking device 9, which can comprise a nut 27 received in the stringer 5 against rotation, a screw 28 engaged with the nut and a cylindrical handle 29 for rotating the screw. The nut 27 and the plug element 23 assigned to this stringer can have mating bevels. Figure 4E Figure 1 Partial sectional view of the base station antenna system of the first embodiment in the area of the cutout 21, in which details of the locking device 9 can be seen. Figure 4E By turning the handle 29 in one direction, the screw 28 is turned together with the handle 29 in the one direction, the nut 27 can be moved on the screw 28 towards the plug element 23 and press the plug element 23. By turning the handle 29 in an opposite direction, the screw 28 is turned together with the handle 29 in the opposite direction, the nut 27 can be moved on the screw 28 away from the plug element 23 and release the plug element 23.

[0070] The support base 6 can have a plurality of receiving openings 14 for mounting radio frequency connectors 13. During installation of the radio remote unit 2, the radio frequency connectors of the radio remote unit 2 can be blindly plugged into these radio frequency connectors 13 and establish an electrical connection. The radio frequency connectors can be, for example, 4.3-10 connectors, 2.2-5 connectors, DIN 7 / 16 connectors or similar connectors. The connectors can benefit from axial and radial float capabilities. For example, US 9,570,849 discloses connectors with such float capabilities.

[0071] In the following, a base station antenna system according to a second embodiment of the application is described by means of Figures 7 to 9 In the following, a base station antenna system according to a second embodiment of the application is described by means of Figure 7 is a side view of the base station antenna system according to the second embodiment in an installed state of the radio remote unit, Figure 8 is a partial sectional view of the base station antenna system of the second embodiment in the area of the cutout 21, in which details of the locking device 9 can be seen. Figure 7 is an exploded view of the base station antenna system of the second embodiment,​Figure 9 is along Figure 7 is a partial sectional view along the section line A-A in

[0072] The base station antenna system comprises a base station antenna 51 and a radio remote unit 52, wherein the radio remote unit 52 can be mounted to the base station antenna 51 by means of a mounting device 53.

[0073] The mounting device 53 can comprise a support base 56 configured for mounting to the base station antenna 51 and supporting the radio remote unit 52. The radio remote unit 52 can be moved between a first position and a second position, e.g. linearly in the longitudinal direction of the base station antenna 51, when not being locked. The support base 56 can have a plurality of receiving openings 64 for mounting radio connectors.

[0074] The mounting device 53 can comprise two parallel support elements 60 configured for mounting to the radio remote unit 52 and being movable together with the radio remote unit 52 between a first position, in which the support elements 60 are lifted from the support base 56, and a second position, in which the support elements 60 are supported on the support base 56, in a mounted state of the support elements 60 mounted to the radio remote unit 52. The shown support elements 60 can be configured as plug-in strips, which can have a T-shaped cross section, for example. The support base 56 can have two abutments 57, each of which can have a guide slot 58. The abutments 57 can be an integral part of the support base 56 or can be separate parts and be fixed on the support base 56. The guide slots 58 can extend in the longitudinal direction of the base station antenna 51 in a mounted state of the support base 56 on the base station antenna 51. In the first position, the support elements 60 configured as plug-in strips are separated from the guide slots 58, and in the second position, the support elements 60 are engaged with the guide slots 58 and are supported on the support base 56.

[0075] The mounting device 53 can comprise a plug-in structure which can comprise a plug-in element and a socket element, one of which is configured for mounting to the base station antenna, the other of which is configured for mounting to the radio remote unit, in a first position the plug-in element and the socket element being separated from each other, in a second position the plug-in element and the socket element being joined to each other. In the second embodiment, the mounting device 53 can comprise a mounting plate strip 54 which is configured for mounting transversely to the base station antenna 51 and can have two parallel guide slots 55 spaced apart from each other as socket elements. The guide slots 55 can extend in the longitudinal direction of the base station antenna 51 in the mounted state of the mounting plate strip 54 on the base station antenna 51. The mounting device 53 can comprise two parallel plug-in plate strips configured for mounting to the radio remote unit 52 as plug-in elements 62.

[0076] The mounting device 53 can comprise a connection plate strip 65 which is configured for mounting to the base station antenna 51 and for mounting the base station antenna above to a not shown guyed mast by means of not shown clamping devices connected to the connection plate strip 65. The support base 56 can be used for connection to not shown clamping devices in order to connect the base station antenna 51 below to the guyed mast by means of the support base and the clamping devices.

[0077] In the second embodiment, the mounting device 53 can comprise a pin-hole connection structure which can comprise a pin 63 and a hole 61. This pin-hole connection structure can be configured identically or similarly to the pin-hole connection structure in the first embodiment.

[0078] Each guide slot 55, 58 can be provided with one locking device 59, respectively. The locking devices can be configured for locking the plug-in plate strip inserted into the guide slot. The locking devices 59 can have a resilient portion which can press the plug-in plate strip in the locked position and release the plug-in plate strip in the released position. For this purpose, the plug-in plate strip can have a recess into which the resilient portion can enter in the locked position and from which the resilient portion can exit in the released position. Figure 9 Two locking devices 59 are shown which lock the support element 60 in the guide slot 58 of the support base 57. The same or similar can be the case for the other two locking devices 59 for locking the plug-in element 62 in the guide slot 55 of the mounting plate strip 54. Alternatively or additionally, the locking devices 59 can be mounted on resilient split pins. It is thus possible that the locking devices can have a double resilience.

[0079] Figure 10 is a schematic view of a wiring structure according to an embodiment of the present application which can be used in both of the above-mentioned embodiments, wherein the base station antenna system is in Figure 10Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the base station antenna 1, 51, seen from above, and the cover of the support base 6, 56 is removed so that the cabling 41 of the wiring structure can be seen. The cabling 41 can be guided from the interior of the base station antenna 1, 51 through the wall of the radome of the base station antenna into the bottom chamber of the support base 6, 56 and electrically connected with the radio frequency connectors arranged in the receiving openings 14, 64. For the sealing of the cabling 41, a sealing element 42 can be provided for each cable, which can be fitted over the cable 41 and pressed between the base station antenna and the radio frequency remote unit. Figure 11 Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view describing the cabling 41 and the sealing element 42.

[0080] It has to be noted that the terms used in the present specification are merely used for the purpose of description and not for the purpose of limitation. As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "including", "containing", and other similar forms are specifically intended to be equivalent to the term "comprising", and are used to specifically indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, or combinations, but not to the exclusion of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In the description of the figures, like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0081] The thickness of elements in the figures can be exaggerated in order to illustrate more clearly. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, coupled to the other element, or connected to the other element, it can be directly on, coupled to, or connected to the other element or one or more intervening elements can also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on", "directly coupled to" or "directly connected to" another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion, e.g., "between" versus "directly between", "attached" versus "directly attached", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", and the like.

[0082] The terms, such as "top", "bottom", "above", "below", "upper", "lower", and the like, are used for descriptive purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. The terms "first", "second", "third", etc., are used to describe various elements, regions, and sections and are not intended to be limiting. The terms "front", "back", "front side", "back side", "front surface", "back surface", etc., are used to describe various elements, regions, and sections and are not intended to be limiting.

[0083] It is to be understood that, although the terms "first", "second" and the like can be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present inventive concept.

[0084] It is also contemplated that all of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein can be combined with each other.

[0085] Finally, it is to be understood that the embodiments described above are only illustrative of the application and are not to be used as limitations. The specific mode of use of the application, and of the embodiments thereof, is not the limitation of the application.

Claims

1. A mounting device for mounting a radio remote unit to a base station antenna, the mounting device comprising: a support base (6, 56) configured for mounting to a base station antenna (1, 51) and for supporting a radio remote unit (2, 52); a support element (10, 60) configured for mounting to the radio remote unit and being linearly movable together with the radio remote unit in a longitudinal direction of the base station antenna between a first position, in which the support element is lifted from the support base, and a second position, in which the support element is supported on the support base, in a mounted state of the support element mounted to the radio remote unit, and a plug-in structure comprising a plug-in element (23, 62) and a socket element, one of the plug-in element and the socket element being configured for mounting to the base station antenna and the other of the plug-in element and the socket element being configured for mounting to the radio remote unit, the plug-in element and the socket element being separated from each other in the first position and being engaged with each other in the second position; characterized in that the support base has a plurality of radio frequency connectors configured for electrically connecting to the base station antenna and for electrically connecting to radio frequency connectors of the radio remote unit in the second position. the mounting device comprises a pin-hole connection structure comprising a pin (24, 63) and a hole (11, 61), wherein one of the pin and the hole is assigned to the radio remote unit and the other of the pin and the hole is assigned to the support base, the pin and the hole being separated from each other in the first position and being engaged with each other in the second position.

2. The mounting arrangement for mounting a radio frequency remote unit to a base station antenna of claim 1, wherein, the plug-in structure and the pin-hole connection structure are configured for linearly translating the radio remote unit between the first position and the second position.

3. The mounting arrangement for mounting a radio frequency remote unit to a base station antenna of claim 2, wherein, the plug-in element and the socket element have complementary cross sections.

4. The mounting arrangement for mounting a radio frequency remote unit to a base station antenna according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, the mounting device comprises a mounting frame (4) configured for mounting to the base station antenna and comprising two longitudinal beams (5) parallel to each other, the longitudinal beams each having a cutout (21) and a guide slot as the socket element, the guide slot extending along a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beam, wherein in the first position the two plug-in elements can be introduced into the respective guide slots through the respective cutouts and can then be moved along the respective guide slots into the second position.

5. The mounting arrangement for mounting a radio frequency remote unit to a base station antenna according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, the mounting device comprises a first adapter plate (7) having the two plug-in elements, the first adapter plate being configured for mounting to the radio remote unit.

6. The mounting arrangement for mounting radio frequency remote units to a base station antenna of claim 5, wherein, the first adapter plate has a body (22) and the two plug-in elements protruding from the body in a transverse direction.

7. The mounting arrangement for mounting radio frequency remote units to a base station antenna of claim 6, wherein, the support base has a boss (12), on which the support element can be supported in the second position.

8. The mounting arrangement for mounting a radio frequency remote unit to a base station antenna according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, the boss has a recess (15) extending transversely, in which the support element is supported and received in the second position.

9. The mounting arrangement for mounting radio frequency remote units to a base station antenna of claim 8, wherein, the support element is configured as a second adapter plate comprising a body (31) for lying flat against and being fixed to the radio remote unit and a support section (32) protruding from the body.

10. The mounting arrangement for mounting a radio frequency remote unit to a base station antenna according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, ​ 11. The mounting arrangement for mounting radio frequency remote units to a base station antenna of claim 9, wherein, The support element is configured as a second adapter plate which comprises a body (31) for lying flat against the radio remote unit and being fixed to the radio remote unit, and a support section (32) which projects from the body and supports and receives in the second position in the recess.

12. The mounting arrangement for mounting radio frequency remote units to a base station antenna of claim 11, wherein, The second adapter plate has a recess (33) in which the boss is received in the second position, so that the second adapter plate is positioned in the transverse direction by the boss.

13. The mounting arrangement for mounting a radio frequency remote unit to a base station antenna according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The mounting device comprises a mounting strip (54) which is configured for mounting transversely to the base station antenna and has two parallel first guide slots (55) spaced apart from one another as socket elements which extend in the longitudinal direction of the base station antenna in the mounted state of the mounting strip on the base station antenna.

14. The mounting arrangement for mounting radio frequency remote units to a base station antenna of claim 13, wherein, The mounting device comprises two parallel first plug-in strips configured for mounting to the radio remote unit as plug elements.

15. The mounting device for mounting a radio remote unit to a base station antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The support base has two parallel second guide slots (58) spaced apart from one another which extend in the longitudinal direction of the base station antenna in the mounted state of the support base on the base station antenna; The mounting device comprises two parallel second plug-in strips to be mounted to the radio remote unit as support elements; wherein in the first position the second plug-in strips are separated from one another and in the second position the second plug-in strips engage one another and the second plug-in strips are supported on the support base.

16. The mounting arrangement for mounting radio frequency remote units to a base station antenna of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The mounting device comprises a locking device (9, 59) configured for locking the radio remote unit in the second position on the base station antenna.

17. The mounting arrangement for mounting radio frequency remote units to a base station antenna of claim 5, wherein, Each longitudinal beam is provided with a locking device comprising a nut (27) received in the longitudinal beam against rotation, a spindle (28) engaging the nut, and a handle (29) for rotating the spindle, the nut and the plug element associated with the longitudinal beam having associated bevels.

18. The mounting arrangement for mounting radio frequency remote units to a base station antenna of claim 14, wherein, Each first guide slot is provided with a first locking device configured for locking the first plug-in strip inserted into the first guide slot.

19. The mounting arrangement for mounting radio frequency remote units to a base station antenna of claim 15, wherein, Each second guide slot is provided with a second locking device configured for locking the second plug-in strip inserted into the second guide slot.

20. A base station antenna system comprising a base station antenna and a radio frequency remote unit, characterized by, The base station antenna system further comprises a mounting device for mounting a radio remote unit to a base station antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. A mounting method for mounting a radio remote unit to a base station antenna, comprising the following steps: mounting a support base to the base station antenna and mounting a support element to the radio remote unit; mounting one of a plug element and a socket element of a plug-in structure to the base station antenna and mounting the other of the plug element and the socket element to the radio remote unit; moving the radio remote unit into a first position relative to the base station antenna in which the plug element and the socket element to be engaged with one another are aligned with one another, the support element being lifted from the support base; and moving the radio remote unit from the first position to a second position relative to the base station antenna, in which second position the support element is supported on the support base, the plug element and the socket element are engaged with each other; wherein the support base has a plurality of radio frequency connectors, which are electrically connected with the base station antenna and which are electrically connected with the radio frequency connectors of the radio remote unit in the second position.

22. The method of installing of claim 21, wherein, in the first position, the pin and the hole of the pin-hole connection structure, which are to be engaged with each other, are aligned with each other, wherein one of the pin and the hole is assigned to the radio remote unit and the other of the pin and the hole is assigned to the support base, wherein the pin-hole connection structure positions the radio remote unit during the movement of the radio remote unit from the first position to the second position relative to the base station antenna.

23. The method of installing of claim 21, wherein, The mounting method makes use of a mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

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