Base Station Antenna Radios Embedded in Thermally Conducting Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of radios into base station antennas increases size, weight, cost, and complexity, and raises concerns about heat generation affecting performance, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

Active antennas with a housing featuring thermally-conducting frame members and heat pipes to dissipate heat, eliminating the need for external finned heat sinks, and allowing radios to be fully enclosed for simplified waterproofing and improved thermal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If radios are incorporated into base station antennas, then throughput and performance are improved, but size, weight, cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidantenna complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the radio and antenna into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate remote radio head installations. This merging reduces overall system complexity while maintaining improved throughput performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as a radome for RF transparency, and incorporates integrated heat sink structures for thermal management. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Power

If radios operate at high power levels, then transmission capability is improved, but heat generation increases which negatively affects performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission powerVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heat sink structures are integrated directly into the antenna housing, merging the thermal management function with the structural housing. This eliminates the need for separate external heat sinks and enables efficient heat dissipation for high-power radio operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermally-conducting frame members with fins act as intermediary heat transfer elements, conducting heat away from the radio components and dissipating it through the extended fin surfaces, thereby protecting the radios from overheating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If external finned heat sinks are used, then heat dissipation is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat sink structures are merged with the antenna housing as an integrated component rather than being separate attachments. This integration simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure simultaneously provides mechanical support, RF enclosure (radome function), and thermal management through integrated heat sink fins. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external heat sink components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-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 reduces manufacturing costs and weight, enhances thermal performance, and minimizes passive intermodulation distortion, resulting in a more efficient and aesthetically pleasing antenna design with improved RF performance.

Implementation Method 1

The antennas include heat pipes positioned to transfer heat generated by the at least one radio to the thermally-conducting frame members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat pipe: Heat Pipe

Implementation Method 2

The first and second side surfaces comprise respective first and second thermally-conducting frame members. Each of the first and second thermally-conducting frame members includes a plurality of outwardly extending fins

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11469487B2Base station antennas having fully embedded radios and housings with integrated heat sink structures

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC

AI summary

Active antennas are provided that include a housing having a front surface, first and second side surfaces and a rear surface, where the front surface comprises a radome and the first and second side surfaces comprise respective first and second thermally-conducting frame members. These antennas further include at least one radio that is completely mounted within an interior of the housing. Each of the first and second thermally-conducting frame members includes a plurality of outwardly extending fins.