Base Station Antenna Mounting Frame for Heat and Module Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base station antennas face challenges in managing heat generated by integrated radios and require efficient heat venting, while also needing flexible mounting systems to accommodate various active antenna modules without additional hardware modifications.
Innovation Solution
A base station antenna assembly with a passive reflector and mounting frame that includes electrical coupling members to provide a common electrical ground, reduce back radiation, and support interchangeable active antenna modules, allowing for 5G and 4G operations with a universal mounting system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If integrated radios are added to base station antennas for active beamforming, then antenna performance is improved with narrowed beamwidth and high gain, but heat generation increases requiring effective heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function by providing vent openings in the antenna housing that allow heat generated by integrated radios to escape to the external environment. This separates the thermal management function from the antenna's primary radiation function, enabling effective heat dissipation while maintaining antenna performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple active antenna modules are to be supported, then system versatility is improved, but device complexity increases requiring additional mounting hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized mounting bracket system with uniform mounting holes and attachment mechanisms that can accommodate different active antenna modules. This universal interface allows various modules to be interchangeably mounted on the same base station antenna without requiring additional or modified hardware, thereby supporting module versatility while maintaining system simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If a universal mounting system is implemented, then ease of operation is improved with simplified installation, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements equipotentiality by providing multiple mounting holes arranged in a standardized pattern on both the mounting brackets and antenna modules. This creates equivalent mounting positions that ensure proper alignment through uniform spacing and positioning, simplifying installation while maintaining consistent manufacturing tolerances across all mounting points.
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 effectively manages heat dissipation and provides a flexible mounting system that reduces back radiation and supports multiple active antenna modules, enhancing antenna performance and reducing installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A base station antenna assembly with a passive reflector and mounting frame that includes electrical coupling members to provide a common electrical ground, reduce back radiation
Implementation Method 2
The heat sinks 54 are thermally conductive and include a plurality of fins 54f. Heat generated in the radios 50 passes to the heat sink 54 and spreads to the fins 54f
Implementation Method 3
This allows the heat to pass from the fins 54f to the external environment
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.