L-Shaped Antenna Cable Brackets for Low-PIM Pole Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna tower mounts generate undesirable passive intermodulation (PIM) due to conductive items like hangers and brackets, especially in high RF energy environments, and fail to securely manage cables, leading to swaying in the wind.
Innovation Solution
A bracket system comprising L-shaped members with scalloped jaws and flanges, along with expansion brackets and extender rails, that securely mount cables with minimal metal-to-metal contact, using polymeric hangers to reduce PIM and provide adjustable mounting for various pole sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional metal brackets and hardware are used to mount cables on antenna towers, then cable support and organization are achieved, but passive intermodulation (PIM) is generated due to metal-to-metal contact and movement in high RF energy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces non-conductive mounting brackets (made from materials such as fiberglass-reinforced plastic or other dielectric materials) as intermediary components between the metal tower structure and the cable hardware. These non-conductive brackets eliminate direct metal-to-metal contact points, thereby reducing PIM generation while still providing secure cable support and organization in high RF energy environments near cellular antennas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the mounting brackets from conductive metal to non-conductive dielectric materials. This material parameter change fundamentally alters the electrical characteristics of the mounting system, eliminating the PIM-generating metal-to-metal contact interfaces while maintaining the mechanical support function for cables within 1λ of cellular antennas
2Ease of operation
If multiple cables are mounted on antenna towers, then cable organization is improved, but the number of metal contact points increases, leading to increased PIM generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-conductive brackets as intermediary mounting structures that can support multiple cables simultaneously. By using these non-conductive intermediaries, the system achieves organized cable management while eliminating the metal-to-metal contact points that would otherwise be created by traditional metal hardware, thus reducing PIM generation even when multiple cables are mounted
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple cable support functions into integrated non-conductive bracket assemblies that can accommodate multiple cables at various angles and positions. This merging of support functions into single non-conductive structures reduces the total number of separate metal contact points compared to using individual metal hardware for each cable, thereby reducing overall PIM generation while maintaining cable organization
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket for mounting cables on an antenna pole includes: a pair of L-shaped members, each of the L-shaped members including a main panel, a pair of jaws extending from opposite edges of the main panel, and a flange extending generally perpendicularly to the main panel, wherein the main panel includes a plurality of first mounting apertures, and wherein the flange includes a plurality of second mounting apertures; a pair of rods, each rod extending through a first mounting aperture of each of the L-shaped members; and a securing component that engages each rod to fix the members relative to each other.