Removable Electronics Module for Cellular Antenna Radome
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional base-station installations require disruptive service and exposure to elements when replacing failed electronics modules in antenna assemblies, as they are typically integrated within the radome, making field replacement complicated and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable antenna assembly design that allows the active electronics module to be removable from behind the radome without removing the radome from the cell tower, enabling selective location of electronics either at the base of the tower or in close proximity to the antenna arrays, and facilitating replacement without disrupting other operational antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If base-station electronics are integrated within the radome, then protection from elements and reduced wind loading are improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to disruptive service and exposure to elements during replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna assembly is segmented into modular components: the radome containing antenna arrays, and separate electronics modules that can be independently removed. This allows the electronics to be serviced without removing the radome or exposing other components to elements, resolving the contradiction between integrated protection and repairability
Solution Approach 2:
The electronics module is extracted from the radome as a removable component rather than being permanently integrated. This enables the electronics to be taken out for replacement without removing the radome, maintaining protection for remaining components while improving ease of repair
2Shape
If base-station electronics are integrated within the radome, then aesthetic appearance and wind loading are improved, but device complexity increases due to integrated housing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules (radome with antennas, electronics module) that can be independently designed and manufactured. This reduces the complexity of the housing structure while maintaining the aesthetic benefits of integration when modules are assembled together
3Ease of repair
If base-station electronics are located on the ground, then ease of repair is improved, but loss of time increases due to RF cabling requirements and installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The electronics module can be positioned in multiple locations (on the ground or mounted on the tower behind the radome) without requiring complex RF cabling infrastructure. This spatial flexibility reduces installation time and maintains ease of repair, resolving the contradiction between location-based repairability and time loss
4Productivity
If base-station electronics are integrated within the radome, then productivity is improved through reduced installation steps, but reliability deteriorates when electronics failure requires radome removal
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna assembly is segmented into independently serviceable modules, allowing failed electronics to be replaced without affecting the radome or other antenna arrays. This maintains service continuity and reliability while preserving installation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The removable electronics module design enables continuous operation of other antenna arrays during electronics replacement. Service to operational antennas is maintained without disruption, ensuring continuity of useful action while improving reliability during maintenance operations
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
In one embodiment, an antenna assembly in a cellular network has a radome that houses a plurality of antenna arrays and an electronics module. The electronics module has a weatherproof housing that encloses electronics for processing signals received by and transmitted from a first of the antenna arrays. The electronics module is physically removeably connected to an outer surface of the radome and electrically removeably connected to the first antenna array, such that the electronics module can be removed without (i) disrupting service to other antenna arrays and (ii) removing the antenna assembly from the cell tower on which the antenna assembly is installed.