Multi-Chamber Shield Enclosure for Small Cell Noise Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of small cell access nodes faces challenges in finding suitable locations and minimizing noise interference, particularly passive intermodulation distortion, which affects receiver performance.
Innovation Solution
A multi-chambered, electrically conductive enclosure with three shield members in a vertically stacked configuration is used, featuring separate chambers for power supply and control circuits, along with optical and satellite location receiver ports, to mitigate noise and enhance signal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If small cell access nodes are deployed in higher numbers to increase data access capacity, then wireless service coverage is improved, but noise interference and passive intermodulation distortion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into multiple shielded chambers that separate different circuit components (power supply circuits, control circuits, radio frequency circuits) from each other. This segmentation prevents noise generated by power supply circuits from interfering with sensitive control and radio frequency circuits, allowing higher density deployment of small cell access nodes without compounding noise interference issues.
Solution Approach 2:
Electrically conductive shield members are introduced as intermediary elements between different circuit components. These shield members act as electromagnetic barriers that block noise propagation while maintaining electrical connectivity through controlled interfaces, thereby reducing passive intermodulation distortion without compromising circuit functionality.
2Reliability
If shielded chambers are used to reduce noise interference, then receiver performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically conductive shield members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide electromagnetic shielding to reduce noise interference, maintain structural integrity of the enclosure, and facilitate electrical connectivity between chambers through controlled interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple shielded chambers are nested within a single enclosure structure, with each chamber containing specific circuit components. This nested arrangement provides comprehensive noise isolation for each circuit type while utilizing a unified structural framework, avoiding the complexity of multiple separate enclosures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If separate chambers are created for power supply and control circuits, then noise isolation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is segmented into standardized shielded chambers that can be manufactured as modular units. Each chamber is designed with consistent interface features for the electrically conductive shield members, enabling standardized manufacturing processes and simplifying assembly of the complete enclosure structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional chambers (power supply chamber, control circuit chamber, radio frequency chamber) are combined into a single integrated enclosure structure with shared walls formed by the electrically conductive shield members. This merging approach reduces the total number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled compared to using entirely separate enclosures for each circuit type.
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 reduces noise interference and improves receiver performance by isolating noise sources and allowing for efficient power and signal management within the small cell access node apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
A multi-chambered, electrically conductive enclosure with three shield members in a vertically stacked configuration is used... to mitigate noise and enhance signal integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A vertically oriented, electrically conductive enclosure includes at least three shield members. A first member has a first floor and a first sidewall that extends away from the first floor around a periphery of the first shield floor. A second member is electrically coupled to the first member and has a second floor and a second sidewall. A first portion of the second sidewall extends away from the second floor in a first direction. A second portion of the second sidewall extends away from the second floor in a second direction opposite to the first direction and engages the first sidewall. A third member is electrically coupled to the second member and has a shield cover and a third sidewall. The third sidewall extends away from the shield cover about a periphery of the shield cover and engages the first portion of the second sidewall.