Packaging arrangement for radio equipment and method of packaging radio equipment

Abstract

A packaging arrangement (200) for packaging radio equipment (202) that prevents incorrect assembly feature attachment is disclosed. The packaging arrangement comprises a five-sided box (204) configured to store radio equipment for shipment. A side panel (210) of the five-sided box comprises a male portion (212) of a keying feature. The packaging arrangement further comprises a top protective element (214) configured to be positioned on a portion of the radio equipment exposed by an open side of the five-sided box. The top protective element comprises a female portion (216) of the keying feature and at least one template (218) for attachment of at least one assembly feature (220) to the radio equipment. The male and female portions of the keying feature are such that, when the male portion is inserted into the female portion, the at least one template is at a desired position for attachment of the at least one assembly feature.

Description

PACKAGING ARRANGEMENT FOR RADIO EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF PACKAGING RADIO EQUIPMENTTechnical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to assembly and packaging radio equipment, such as an Advanced Antenna System (AAS) product.Background

[0002] Modern base stations for cellular communications systems such as, e.g., 3rdGeneration Partnership (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) systems include Advanced Antenna System (AAS) products. These AAS products are typically shipped to customers (e.g., network operators) and, once received by the customers, are mounted onto structures (e.g., mast, building, etc.) in the field.

[0003] Traditionally, two custom-designed L-shaped brackets are installed on the AAS product prior to shipment, where these two custom-designed L-shaped brackets provide attachment points for generic, field installed tilt brackets used to attach the AAS to the desired structure in the field. During assembly (i.e., prior to shipment) of the AAS product, the two custom-designed L-shaped brackets must be attached to the AAS product in the correct orientation for the tilt brackets to work properly. Every AAS L- shaped bracket is custom designed with a unique keying feature that interfaces with the heatsink fin pattern for that AAS product. This keying feature ensures that the assembly is done with the bracket in the correct orientation on both top and bottom brackets. As example of an L-shaped bracket with unique keying features that interface with the heatsink fin pattern for the respective AAS product is shown in Figure 1.

[0004] The assembly of the L-brackets onto the AAS product is not done on the assembly line since all assembly of the AAS product on the assembly line is done from one direction that faces the inside of the heatsink. Since the AAS product is heavy and therefore never flipped over until it reaches the shipping department, the first opportunity to assemble the L-shaped brackets onto the AAS product is by shipping persons in the shipping department when they place the AAS product into the packaging and the mounting points for the L-shaped brackets on the outside of the heatsink are accessible. Since the shipping persons are typically not skilled in assembly, it is common for them to assemble the L-shaped brackets incorrectly or even forget toinstall the L-shaped brackets onto the AAS product. If the shipping persons forget to assemble the L-shaped brackets and the AAS product is shipped without L-shaped brackets, this causes the AAS product to be returned or sent to a repair facility since the customer is unable to mount the AAS product without the L-shaped brackets having been installed onto the AAS product.

[0005] Additionally, each of the L-shaped brackets includes a lift point which adds extra weight to the system since the same bracket is used in both top and bottom locations. Removing this extra weight is a shipping cost savings across many product lines.Summary

[0006] Embodiments of a packaging arrangement for packaging radio equipment (e.g., an Advanced Antenna System (AAS) product) for shipment are disclosed in which the packaging arrangement is such that incorrect assembly feature attachment prior to shipment is avoided. In one embodiment, a packaging arrangement for shipping radio equipment comprises a five-sided box configured to store the radio equipment for shipment, wherein the five-sided box comprises a rectangular base panel having four edges and four side panels attached to the respective edges of the rectangular base panel so as to form the five-sided box. One of the four side panels of the five-sided box comprises a male portion of a first keying feature. The packaging arrangement further comprises a top protective element configured to be positioned on a portion of the radio equipment exposed by an open side of the five-sided box, wherein the top protective element comprises a female portion of the first keying feature and at least one template for attachment of at least one assembly feature to the radio equipment as part of assembly of the radio equipment prior to shipment of the radio equipment within the packaging arrangement. The packaging arrangement further comprises a five-sided cover configured to be positioned over the top protective element and the five-sided box so as to enclose the radio equipment within the packaging arrangement. The male portion of the first keying feature and the female portion of the first keying feature are such that, when the male portion of the first keying feature is inserted into the female portion of the first keying feature, the at least one template for attachment of the at least one assembly feature to the radio equipment is at a desired position forattachment of the at least one assembly feature. In this manner, incorrect attachment of the assembly feature can be avoided.

[0007] In one embodiment, the male portion of the first keying feature is such that, when the male portion of the first keying feature is not inserted into the female portion of the first keying feature, the male portion of the first keying feature impedes positioning of the five-sided cover over the top protective element and the five-sided box.

[0008] In one embodiment, the radio equipment comprises a radio housing and a heat sink affixed to the radio housing, and the five-sided box is configured to store the radio equipment such that the heat sink faces away from the rectangular base panel and is exposed through the open side of the five-sided box. In one embodiment, the top protective element is configured to cover at least a portion of the heat sink. In one embodiment, the at least one assembly feature comprises at least one bracket for mounting the radio equipment to a mast. In one embodiment, the at least one template defines, for each bracket of the at least one bracket, a desired position and orientation at which the bracket is to be attached to the heat sink.

[0009] In one embodiment, the male portion of the first keying feature is a tab on the one of the four side panels of the five-sided box, and the female portion of the first keying feature is a slot in a first extended side panel of the top protective element that extends into the five-sided box along the one of the four side panels of the five-sided box.

[0010] In one embodiment, a second side panel of the five-sided box comprises a male portion of a second keying feature, the second side panel being opposite the one of the four side panels of the five-sided box that comprises the male portion of the first keying feature. The top protective element comprises a female portion of the second keying feature. In one embodiment, the male portions of the first and second keying features and the female portions of the first and second keying features are such that, when the male portions of the first and second keying features are inserted into the female portions of the first and second keying features, the at least one template for attachment of the at least one assembly feature to the radio equipment is at a desired position for attachment of the at least one assembly feature.

[0011] Embodiments of a method of packaging radio equipment for shipment in a packaging arrangement are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprisesproviding radio equipment positioned within a five-sided box such that a portion of the radio equipment is exposed via an open side of the five-sided box, wherein the fivesided box comprises a rectangular base panel having four edges and four side panels attached to the respective edges of the rectangular base panel so as to form the fivesided box. One of the four side panels of the five-sided box comprises a male portion of a first keying feature. The method further comprises positioning a top protective element on the portion of the radio equipment exposed by the open side of the fivesided box, wherein the top protective element comprises a female portion of the first keying feature and at least one template for attachment of at least one assembly feature to the radio equipment as part of assembly of the radio equipment prior to shipment of the radio equipment within the packaging arrangement. The method further comprises adjusting a position of the top protective element such that the male portion of the first keying feature and the female portion of the first keying feature are aligned and, as a result, the at least one template for attachment of the at least one assembly feature to the radio equipment is at a desired position for attachment of the at least one assembly feature. The method further comprises inserting the male portion of the first keying feature into the female portion of the first keying feature and attaching the at least one assembly feature to the radio equipment at the desired position in accordance with the at least one template as part of assembly of the radio equipment.

[0012] In one embodiment, the method further comprises positioning a five-sided cover over the top protective element and the five-sided box so as to enclose the radio equipment within the packaging arrangement. In one embodiment, the male portion of the first keying feature is such that, when the male portion of the first keying feature is not inserted into the female portion of the first keying feature, the male portion of the first keying feature impedes positioning of the five-sided cover over the top protective element and the five-sided box.

[0013] In one embodiment, the radio equipment comprises a radio housing and a heat sink affixed to the radio housing, and the five-sided box stores the radio equipment such that the heat sink faces away from the rectangular base panel and is exposed through the open side of the five-sided box. In one embodiment, the top protective element covers at least a portion of the heat sink. In one embodiment, the at least one assembly feature comprises at least one bracket for mounting the radio equipment to amast. In one embodiment, the at least one template for attachment of the at least one bracket defines, for each bracket of the at least one bracket, a desired position and orientation at which the bracket is to be attached to the heat sink.

[0014] In one embodiment, the male portion of the first keying feature is a tab on the one of the four side panels of the five-sided box, and the female portion of the first keying feature is a slot in a first extended side panel of the top protective element that extends into the five-sided box along the one of the four side panels of the five-sided box.

[0015] In one embodiment, a second side panel of the five-sided box comprises a male portion of a second keying feature, the second side panel being opposite the one of the four side panels of the five-sided box that comprises the male portion of the first keying feature. The top protective element comprises a female portion of the second keying feature. In one embodiment, the male portions of the first and second keying features and the female portions of the first and second keying features are such that, when the male portions of the first and second keying features are inserted into the female portions of the first and second keying features, the at least one template for attachment of the at least one assembly feature to the radio equipment is at a desired position for attachment of the at least one assembly feature.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0017] Figure 1 illustrates an example of an L-shaped bracket with unique keying features that interfaces with the heatsink fin pattern for a respective Advanced Antenna System (AAS) product;

[0018] Figures 2, 3, and 4 illustrate an example embodiment of a packaging arrangement for shipping radio equipment that includes features for ensuring proper installation of assembly features (e.g., L-shaped brackets in this example) prior to shipment; and

[0019] Figure 5 is a flow chart that illustrates a packaging process for packaging the radio equipment into the packaging arrangement for shipment, according to one example embodiment of the present disclosure.Detailed Description

[0020] The embodiments set forth below represent information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure.

[0021] There currently exist certain challenges with the existing Advanced Antenna System (AAS) product assembly and packaging. These challenges include the following:• Custom designing the L-shaped brackets for each AAS product is expensive due to design time, analysis time, verification efforts, inventory space, factory assembly procedure differences, and field assembly instruction differences. The inventory cost of a unique part number alone would warrant a solution to this problem. The cost savings associated with economies of scale of a single part would also justify a new approach to AAS brackets. The extra shipping weight due to the lifting feature of the conventional custom L-shaped brackets is also a major factor. Even though a small weight savings would be made by eliminating the lifting feature on a single L-shaped bracket, a large savings would be achieved if the lifting feature is eliminated applied across all AAS products.• Including the lift point on the bottom L-shaped bracket adds extra weight to the system which means more expensive shipping.• The bottom lift point is not used for lifting in the field and eliminating it would remove some confusion that would otherwise need to be conveyed in the customer premise instruction (CPI) documents.• Forgetting to assemble the L-shaped brackets in the factory is not in itself cause for product failure but the ensuing confusion at the customer end is cause for concern. The customer may decide to install another L-shaped bracket not rated for that product thus causing a new failure point. Alternatively, the unit may have to be returned from the field and that install crew may have to return another day to do the installation. The best scenariois that the unit be returned to a repair center, and they would install the brackets and ship the unit back to the customer. None of these scenarios is without considerable cost.

[0022] Embodiments of a packaging arrangement for shipping radio equipment (e.g., an Advanced Antenna System (AAS) product including a radio unit, heatsink, and an AAS) that enables use of generic L-shaped brackets with no keying features on the L- shaped brackets and no lift point are disclosed. Such embodiments enable the generic L-shaped brackets to be used for many (e.g., all) types of AAS products and in more than one location on the AAS products. In order to ensure that the L-brackets are assembled in the correct position and orientation on the AAS product, the packaging arrangement includes one or more templates that define the position and orientation at which the L-shaped bracket(s) are to be installed and one or more keying features that ensure that the template(s) are positioned at the desired positions and orientations on the AAS product.

[0023] Optionally, the keying feature(s) of the packaging arrangement include components that would interfere with packaging of the AAS product within the packaging arrangement if the keying feature(s) is not properly aligned. Thus, in other words, the keying feature(s) include components that would interfere with packaging of the AAS product within the packaging arrangement if the L-shaped brackets are installed incorrectly on the AAS product. This will give an indication to the person performing the packaging that that L-shaped bracket has not properly been installed. In addition, in order to ensure that the bracket is present, this keying feature on the packaging arrangement uses the L-shaped bracket(s) itself as a locating feature for a protective cap on the heatsink side of the AAS product.

[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide any one or more of the following advantages over the existing solution:• Missing L-shaped brackets are avoided thus reducing returns to the repair facility or use of improper L-shaped brackets in the field.• The development effort associated with unique L-shaped bracket design for each new AAS product is avoided thus saving significant research and development costs as well as developing a standardized method for assembly in the factory.• A generic bracket significantly reduces the number of parts to track and inventory thus saving significant logistics and supply chain costs.• A generic bracket generates lower product costs because it allows greater volume and thus economies of scale in the production cost of the generic bracket.• Generic brackets with no lift points are a weight savings and across many products are a significant savings in shipping costs.

[0025] Figure 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a packaging arrangement 200 for shipping radio equipment 202 that includes features for ensuring proper installation of assembly features (e.g., L-shaped brackets 220 in this example) prior to shipment. In this example, the radio equipment 202 is an AAS product including a radio housing 202A and a heat sink 202B, which in the illustrated example includes radiating fins. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Note that, while not referenced in the description below, the packaging arrangement 200 sits atop a wooden pallet (not numbered) in Figure 2, as an example. The pallet supports the packaging arrangement 200 and permits lifting with standard equipment such as, e.g., a forklift truck or pallet hand truck.

[0026] The packaging arrangement 200 includes a five-sided box 204 configured to store the radio equipment 202 for shipment. The five-sided box 204 is preferably made of cardboard, but is not limited thereto. The five-sided box 204 includes a rectangular base panel 206 having four edges 208 and four side panels 210 attached to the respective edges 208 of the rectangular base panel 206 so as to form the five-sided box 204. One of the side panels 208 of the five-sided box 204 includes a male portion 212 of a first keying feature. While only one keying feature is visible in Figure 2, note that there may be two or more such keying features on different sides of the packaging arrangement 200. Note that, in the illustrated example, a number of foam pieces 213 are positioned in the five-sided box 204, where these foam pieces define a cavity into which the radio equipment 202 is positioned. The foam pieces sit in the five-sided box 204and provide support and protection for the radio equipment 202 to be packaged.

[0027] The packaging arrangement 200 also includes a top protective element 214 configured to be positioned on a portion of the radio equipment 202 exposed by an open side of the five-sided box 204. The top protective element 214 is preferably made of cardboard, but is not limited thereto. In the illustrated example, the top protectiveelement 214 is positioned on a portion of the outside of the heat sink 202B. The top protective element 214 includes a female portion 216 of the first keying feature. Together the male portion 212 and the female portion 216 form the first keying feature. Optionally, while not visible in Figure 2, in one embodiment, the side panel 208 opposite to the side panel 208 comprising the male portion of the first keying feature may include a male portion of a second keying feature, and the top protective element 214 may include a respective female portion of the second keying feature. The keying feature(s) are such that there is only one way to install the top protective element 214, where this one way ensures that templates 218 are posited and oriented for proper installation of respective L-brackets 220 onto the radio equipment 202.

[0028] The top protective element 214 also includes the templates 218 for attachment of the respective L-shaped brackets 220 to the radio equipment 202 (e.g., to the heat sink 202B of the radio equipment in the illustrated example) as part of assembly of the radio equipment 202 prior to shipment of the radio equipment 202 within the packaging arrangement (200). Note that while the L-shaped brackets 220 are used in the example embodiments described herein, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Other types of assembly features (e.g., other types of brackets) may alternatively be used. In the preferred embodiment, the L-shaped brackets 220 are generic L-shaped brackets (i.e., L-shaped brackets that can be used for multiple different types of AAS products). Further, in one preferred embodiment, the L-shaped brackets 220 do not include lifting features (or at least one of the L-shaped brackets 220 does not include a lifting feature.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, once the radio equipment 202 is placed in the fivesided box 204, the top protective element 214 is placed on the heat sink 202B and aligned such that the male portion 212 of the first keying feature can be, and is, inserted into the female portion 216 of the first keying feature. At this point, the top protective element 214 is aligned such that the templates 218 are positioned and oriented at the desired, or proper, attachment points for the L-shaped brackets 220. In other words, the male portion 212 of the first keying feature and the female portion 216 of the first keying feature are such that, when the male portion 212 of the first keying feature is inserted into the female portion 216 of the first keying feature, the templates 218 for attachment of the L-shaped brackets 220 to the radio equipment 202 are at a desired position, and orientation, for attachment of L-shaped brackets 220. The L-shaped brackets 220 are installed on the radio equipment 202 at the positions, and in the orientations, defined by the respective templates 218.

[0030] The top protective element 214 provides protection for the radio equipment 202 during shipping and handling. In this illustrated example, the top protective element 214 includes two flaps that each provide a respective one of the templates 218, which provide openings for correct assembly of the L-shaped brackets 220. If the L- shaped brackets 220 are assembled in the incorrect position or orientation, then the templates 218 in the two flaps will interfere with the L-shaped brackets 220 and alert the person performing assembly of the L-shaped brackets 220 and packaging to reassemble the L-shaped brackets 220 properly. If the L-shaped brackets 220 are assembled in such a way to shift the entire top protective element 214 up or down, then the male portion 212 of the first keying feature will not insert into the female portion 216 of the first keying feature. If the L-shaped brackets 220 are missing, then the top protective element 214 will have no locating features to ensure that the male portion 212 of the first keying feature inserts into the female portion 216 of the first keying feature. In addition, if the L-shaped brackets 220 are not assembled, then the openings in the tabs act as a visual cue that the L-shaped brackets 220 are missing.

[0031] If the top protective element 214 is preassembled with the male portion 212 inserted into the female portion 216 of the first keying feature before the L-shaped brackets 220 are assembled, then the templates 218 for the L-shaped brackets 220 (e.g., along with printed instructions and icons on the top protective element 214) would indicate that the L-shaped brackets 220 are missing. In the case of preassembly of the top protective element 214, the templates 218 can also be used as templates for correct assembly of the L-brackets 220.

[0032] As illustrated in Figure 4, the packaging arrangement 200 further includes a five-sided cover 222 configured to be positioned over the top protective element 214 and the five-sided box 204 so as to enclose the radio equipment 202 within the packaging arrangement 200. The five-sided cover 222 is also preferably made of cardboard, but is not limited thereto. To serve as an indication that the L-shaped brackets 220 may be improperly installed, the male portion 212 of the first keying feature is such that, when the male portion 212 of the first keying feature is not inserted into the female portion 216 of the first keying feature, the male portion 212 of the first keying feature impedes positioning of the five-sided cover 222 over the topprotective element 214 and the five-sided box 204. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the male portion 212 of the first keying feature is a tab, and the female portion 216 of the first keying feature is a slot, wherein, when the tab of the first keying feature is not inserted into the slot of the first keying feature, the tab impedes the fivesided cover 222 from being positioned over the top protective element 214 and the fivesided box 204.

[0033] Note that the first keying feature (and optionally any additional keying features) are such that the top protective element 214 must only assemble in one way. Any shift in the top protective element 214 resulting from improper assembly of the L- brackets 220 would create an interference and prevent assembly of the male portion 212 of the first keying feature into the female portion 216 of the first keying feature. This interference would prevent the five-sided cover 222 from going all the way down. If the L-shaped brackets 220 are not present, then the top protective element 214 will not position itself properly and the shipper person (or person doing the packing) would have to manually position the top protective element 214 in order to get the keying tabs to be fully inserted - this would be a cue to assemble the L-shaped brackets 220 such that they act as locating features for the top protective element 214.

[0034] Figure 5 is a flow chart that illustrates a packaging process for packaging the radio equipment 202 into the packaging arrangement 200 for shipment, according to one example embodiment of the present disclosure. Optional steps are represented by dashed boxes. As illustrated, the process includes the following steps:

[0035] Step 500: The radio equipment 202 is provided and positioned within the five-sided box 204 such that a portion of the radio equipment 202 is exposed via the open side of the five-sided box 204.

[0036] Step 502: A top protective element 214 is positioned on the portion of the radio equipment 202 exposed by the open side of the five-sided box 204.

[0037] Step 404: The position of the top protective element 214 is adjusted such that the male portion 212 of the first keying feature and the female portion 216 of the first keying feature are aligned and, as a result, the at least one template 218 for attachment of the at least one assembly feature 220 to the radio equipment 202 is at a desired position for attachment of the at least one assembly feature 220.

[0038] Step 406: The male portion 212 of the first keying feature is inserted into the female portion 216 of the first keying feature.

[0039] Step 408: The L-shaped brackets 220 are attached to, or installed onto, the radio equipment 202 at the desired position in accordance with the at least one template 218 as part of assembly of the radio equipment 202.

[0040] Step 510: The five-sided cover 222 is positioned over the top protective element 214 and the five-sided box 204 so as to enclose the radio equipment 202 within the packaging arrangement 200.

[0041] As discussed above, the male portion 212 of the first keying feature is such that, when the male portion 212 of the first keying feature is not inserted into the female portion 216 of the first keying feature, the male portion 212 of the first keying feature impedes positioning of the five-sided cover 222 over the top protective element 214 and the five-sided box 204.

[0042] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the packaging arrangement 200 includes the top protective element 214 including the templates 218, where the templates 218 either: (a) fit over the L-shaped brackets 220 and fit closely enough that an incorrectly oriented L-shaped bracket 220 would interfere with placing the top protective element 214 onto the radio equipment 202 to be packaged (i.e., in the case where the L-shaped brackets 220 are attached prior to placing the top protective element 214 onto the radio equipment 202) or (b) provide openings at the correct positions and orientations at which the L-shaped brackets 220 are to be attached to the radio equipment 202. In the case of (a), interference with one or both of the L-shaped brackets 220 would prevent the top protective element 214 from being fully closed.

[0043] In one embodiment, if both of the L-shaped brackets 220 are assembled such that the top protective element 214 would be shifted up or down, the first keying feature (and in additional keying features) would prevent the five-sided cover 222 from being fully closed.

[0044] In one embodiment, the templates 218 also act as locating features for the top protective element 214. If the L-shaped brackets 220 are not present, the top protective element 214 will not locate itself in the correct position and could easily slide sideways or up and down. This would be a physical indicator to the person packing the radio equipment 202 that one or more of the L-shaped brackets 220 are missing.

[0045] In one embodiment, the templates 218 also act as visual indicators of the missing L-shaped bracket(s) 220. This visual indicator, along with printed instructions with icons on how to assemble the L-shaped brackets 220, will prompt the person packing the radio equipment 202 to assemble the L-shaped brackets 220.

[0046] In an alternative embodiment, an additional flap (e.g., a flap of formed cardboard) or similar folding feature is attached to the top protective element 214 in two locations near the L-shaped brackets 220. They would need to be folded over the L- shaped brackets 220 and held in place by the L-shaped brackets 220 before closing the box; otherwise, they would stand up and be a visual indicator that the L-shaped bracket(s) 220 is missing and would also interfere with the assembly of the five-sided cover 222.

[0047] Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual apparatuses. Each virtual apparatus may comprise a number of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional unit to perform corresponding functions according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] While processes in the figures may show a particular order of operations performed by certain embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that such order is exemplary (e.g., alternative embodiments may perform the operations in a different order, combine certain operations, overlap certain operations, etc.).

[0049] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.

Claims

Claims1. A packaging arrangement (200) for shipping radio equipment (202), the packaging arrangement (200) comprising:• a five-sided box (204) configured to store the radio equipment (202) for shipment, the five-sided box (204) comprising: o a rectangular base panel (206) having four edges (208); and o four side panels (210) attached to the respective edges (208) of the rectangular base panel (206) so as to form the five-sided box (204), wherein one of the four side panels (210) of the five-sided box (204) comprises a male portion (212) of a first keying feature;• a top protective element (214) configured to be positioned on a portion of the radio equipment (202) exposed by an open side of the five-sided box (204), the top protective element (214) comprising: o a female portion (216) of the first keying feature; and o at least one template (218) for attachment of at least one assembly feature (220) to the radio equipment (202) as part of assembly of the radio equipment (202) prior to shipment of the radio equipment (202) within the packaging arrangement (200); and• a five-sided cover (222) configured to be positioned over the top protective element (214) and the five-sided box (204) so as to enclose the radio equipment (202) within the packaging arrangement (200);• wherein the male portion (212) of the first keying feature and the female portion (216) of the first keying feature are such that, when the male portion (212) of the first keying feature is inserted into the female portion (216) of the first keying feature, the at least one template (218) for attachment of the at least one assembly feature (220) to the radio equipment (202) is at a desired position for attachment of the at least one assembly feature (220).

2. The packaging arrangement (200) of claim 1, wherein the male portion (212) of the first keying feature is such that, when the male portion (212) of the first keying feature is not inserted into the female portion (216) of the first keying feature, the male portion (212) of the first keying feature impedes positioning of the five-sided cover (222) over the top protective element (214) and the five-sided box (204).

3. The packaging arrangement (200) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the radio equipment (202) comprises a radio housing (202A) and a heat sink (202B) affixed to the radio housing (202A), and the five-sided box (204) is configured to store the radio equipment (202) such that the heat sink (202B) faces away from the rectangular base panel (206) and is exposed through the open side of the five-sided box (204).

4. The packaging arrangement (200) of claim 3, wherein the top protective element (214) is configured to cover at least a portion of the heat sink (202B).

5. The packaging arrangement (200) of claim 4, wherein the at least one assembly feature (220) comprises at least one bracket (220) for mounting the radio equipment (202) to a mast.

6. The packaging arrangement (200) of claim 5, wherein the at least one template (218) defines, for each bracket (220) of the at least one bracket, a desired position and orientation at which the bracket (220) is to be attached to the heat sink (202B).

7. The packaging arrangement (200) of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the male portion (212) of the first keying feature is a tab on the one of the four side panels (210) of the five-sided box (204), and the female portion (216) of the first keying feature is a slot in a first extended side panel of the top protective element (214) that extends into the five-sided box (204) along the one of the four side panels (210) of the five-sided box (204).

8. The packaging arrangement (200) of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein: a second side panel (210) of the five-sided box (204) comprises a male portion of a second keying feature, the second side panel (210) being opposite the one of the four side panels (210) of the five-sided box (204) that comprises the male portion (212) of the first keying feature; and the top protective element (214) comprises a female portion of the second keying feature.

9. The packaging arrangement (200) of claim 8, wherein the male portions of the first and second keying features and the female portions of the first and second keying features are such that, when the male portions of the first and second keying features are inserted into the female portions of the first and second keying features, the at least one template (218) for attachment of the at least one assembly feature (220) to the radio equipment (202) is at a desired position for attachment of the at least one assembly feature (220).

10. A method of packaging radio equipment (202) for shipment in a packaging arrangement (200), the method comprising:• providing (500) radio equipment (202) positioned within a five-sided box (204) such that a portion of the radio equipment (202) is exposed via an open side of the five-sided box (204), the five-sided box (204) comprising: o a rectangular base panel (206) having four edges (208); and o four side panels (210) attached to the respective edges (208) of the rectangular base panel (206) so as to form the five-sided box (204), wherein one of the four side panels (210) of the five-sided box (204) comprises a male portion (212) of a first keying feature;• positioning (502) a top protective element (214) on the portion of the radio equipment (202) exposed by the open side of the five-sided box (204), the top protective element (214) comprising: o a female portion (216) of the first keying feature; and o at least one template (218) for attachment of at least one assembly feature (220) to the radio equipment (202) as part of assembly of the radio equipment (202) prior to shipment of the radio equipment (202) within the packaging arrangement (200);• adjusting (504) a position of the top protective element (214) such that the male portion (212) of the first keying feature and the female portion (216) of the first keying feature are aligned and, as a result, the at least one template (218) for attachment of the at least one assembly feature (220) to the radio equipment (202) is at a desired position for attachment of the at least one assembly feature (220);• inserting (506) the male portion (212) of the first keying feature into the female portion (216) of the first keying feature; and• attaching (508) the at least one assembly feature (220) to the radio equipment (202) at the desired position in accordance with the at least one template (218) as part of assembly of the radio equipment (202).

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising positioning (510) a five-sided cover (222) over the top protective element (214) and the five-sided box (204) so as to enclose the radio equipment (202) within the packaging arrangement (200).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the male portion (212) of the first keying feature is such that, when the male portion (212) of the first keying feature is not inserted into the female portion (216) of the first keying feature, the male portion (212) of the first keying feature impedes positioning of the five-sided cover (222) over the top protective element (214) and the five-sided box (204).

13. The method of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the radio equipment (202) comprises a radio housing and a heat sink affixed to the radio housing, and the fivesided box (204) stores the radio equipment (202) such that the heat sink faces away from the rectangular base panel (206) and is exposed through the open side of the fivesided box (204).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the top protective element (214) covers at least a portion of the heat sink.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one assembly feature (220) comprises at least one bracket for mounting the radio equipment (202) to a mast.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one template (218) for attachment of the at least one bracket defines, for each bracket of the at least one bracket, a desired position and orientation at which the bracket is to be attached to the heat sink.

17. The method of any of claims 10 to 16, wherein the male portion (212) of the first keying feature is a tab on the one of the four side panels (210) of the five-sided box (204), and the female portion (216) of the first keying feature is a slot in a first extended side panel of the top protective element (214) that extends into the five-sided box (204) along the one of the four side panels (210) of the five-sided box (204).

18. The method of any of claims 10 to 17, wherein: a second side panel (210) of the five-sided box (204) comprises a male portion of a second keying feature, the second side panel (210) being opposite the one of the four side panels (210) of the five-sided box (204) that comprises the male portion (212) of the first keying feature; and the top protective element (214) comprises a female portion of the second keying feature.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the male portions of the first and second keying features and the female portions of the first and second keying features are such that, when the male portions of the first and second keying features are inserted into the female portions of the first and second keying features, the at least one template (218) for attachment of the at least one assembly feature (220) to the radio equipment (202) is at a desired position for attachment of the at least one assembly feature (220).

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