External Active Antenna Module Mounting for Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base station antennas face challenges in efficiently managing heat dissipation and mounting active antenna modules, particularly in high-frequency beamforming arrays, which can lead to overheating and require complex and costly installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A base station antenna assembly with a passive antenna assembly and a mounting frame that supports an active antenna module, featuring a mounting system with brackets and electrical coupling members to facilitate heat dissipation and universal mounting, allowing for interchangeable active antenna modules without requiring additional rails on the base station antenna.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active antenna modules are integrated into base station antennas, then beamforming capability and signal quality are improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the active antenna module from the base station antenna housing into a separate, externally mounted unit. This separation allows the active module with its heat-generating radio components to be independently positioned for optimal heat dissipation while maintaining electrical connection to the passive antenna elements, thus resolving the heat management issue while preserving beamforming capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mounting frame with electrical coupling members as an intermediary between the passive antenna assembly and the active antenna module. This intermediary structure provides both mechanical support and electrical connection, enabling the active module to be separated from the antenna housing while maintaining functional integration, thereby solving both heat dissipation and installation complexity issues
2Adaptability or versatility
If active antenna modules are mounted on base station antennas, then beamforming functionality is achieved, but mounting complexity and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal mounting frame that can accommodate different configurations of active antenna modules and can be installed on various base station antenna types. The mounting frame integrates multiple functions including mechanical support, electrical coupling, and positioning, thereby simplifying the overall mounting process and reducing installation complexity while maintaining beamforming versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the antenna system into distinct functional components: a passive antenna assembly, an independent active antenna module, and a separate mounting frame. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation by enabling modular assembly, thus reducing mounting complexity while preserving beamforming functionality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides effective heat management and simplified installation of active antenna modules, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining electrical integrity and compatibility with different configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting frame can be electrically coupled to one or both of the active antenna module or the passive antenna assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Base station antennas include an externally accessible active antenna module releasably coupled to a rear of the housing using a field installable mounting system/kit with a mounting frame and active antenna module mounting brackets. The base station antenna housing has a passive antenna assembly that cooperates with the active antenna module.