Modular Optical Interface Cards for Antenna System Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed antenna system equipment housings are difficult to assemble and upgrade in the field, and they lack compatibility with expansion of picocells, making it challenging to support an increased number or type of remote antenna units efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The development of modular optical interface cards and assemblies with printed circuit boards, optical sub-assemblies, and a communications equipment enclosure that includes a fan for air cooling, along with alignment features such as locating tabs and slots, allows for easy assembly and alignment of components, enabling flexible expansion and upgrade of the distributed antenna system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional distributed antenna system equipment housings are used, then the system can provide basic RF signal distribution, but the equipment is difficult to assemble and upgrade in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment housing is divided into modular components including removable panels, interchangeable cards, and separable assemblies. The housing includes front and rear panels that can be removed to access internal components, and cards can be independently installed or replaced without disassembling the entire unit, enabling field assembly and upgrades.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing incorporates movable and reconfigurable elements such as removable panels and interchangeable cards that can be dynamically added, removed, or reconfigured in the field. This dynamic design allows the system to be adapted to different configurations without requiring complete disassembly or specialized assembly tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional equipment housings are used, then the system can support initial picocell coverage, but they lack compatibility with expansion of picocells to support increased numbers of remote antenna units
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with universal mounting structures, standardized card slots, and interchangeable components that can accommodate different types and numbers of remote antenna units. The same housing structure supports various configurations of picocells, allowing the system to scale from initial deployment to expanded coverage without requiring different housing designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular card design allows multiple functional units to be nested within the single housing structure. Additional cards can be inserted into available slots, and cards can be stacked or arranged in different configurations to support increased numbers of remote antenna units while maintaining a compact form factor.
3Ease of operation
If modular optical interface cards with alignment features are used, then easy assembly and alignment is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment features including locating tabs and slots are designed to self-align components during assembly. The tabs fit into corresponding slots with built-in tolerance compensation, automatically positioning optical interface cards, optical sub-assemblies, and other components in the correct locations without requiring manual measurement or adjustment, thereby reducing the need for high manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features incorporate built-in tolerance buffers and compensation mechanisms that absorb manufacturing variations. The locating tabs and slots are designed with dimensional tolerances that accommodate normal manufacturing variations, preventing misalignment issues before they occur and ensuring proper component positioning even when manufacturing precision varies within acceptable ranges.
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
This solution facilitates easy assembly and upgrade of distributed antenna system equipment in the field, supports increased numbers of remote antenna units, and ensures proper signal integrity and cooling, enhancing the system's scalability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one fan configured to move air across the plurality of communications components housed in the communications equipment enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
Optical interface cards, assemblies, and related methods, which may be suited for installation and use in antenna system equipment, are disclosed. In certain embodiments, an optical interface card (OIC) comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having at least one optical sub-assembly (OSA) mounted to at least one first opening end of the PCB and extending into at least one opening and related methods are disclosed. In other embodiments, optical interface assemblies comprised of two OICs mounted together are disclosed. In other embodiments, a communications equipment enclosure including at least one fan configured to draw in air from a first side of the communications equipment enclosure into a lower plenum and across a plurality of communications components into an upper plenum to provide air cooling are disclosed. In another embodiment, a modular distributed antenna system assembly is disclosed.