Patent Application
20190044258
The present disclosure relates to communication systems and, in particular, to cable connector assemblies for base station antennas.
Base station antennas for wireless communication systems are used to transmit Radio Frequency (RF) signals to, and receive RF signals from, fixed and mobile users of a cellular communications service. Base station antennas often include different components that are connected to each other via cables. A cable connector assembly may support the cables, and ends of the cables may be directly connected to the components via solder junctions.
For example,
Stressed solder joints may result in Passive Intermodulation (PIM). PIM is a form of electrical interference/signal transmission degradation that may occur at interconnections, such as solder joints, where a non-linearity is introduced into the connection, either as initially installed or due to electro-mechanical shift over time. Interconnections may shift due to mechanical stress, vibration, thermal cycling, and/or material degradation. PIM can be an important interconnection quality characteristic, as PIM generated by a single low quality interconnection may degrade the electrical performance of an entire RF system. The reduction of PIM via connector design is thus typically desirable.
A cable connector support structure, according to some embodiments herein, may include a connector block. The connector block may include a plurality of cable retention clips on a first end of the connector block. The connector block may include a first plurality of recesses adjacent the plurality of cable retention clips. Moreover, the connector block may include a second plurality of recesses on a second end of the connector block that is opposite the first end. The cable connector support structure may include metal in the first plurality of recesses. The cable connector support structure may include a plurality of metal pieces in the second plurality of recesses, respectively. The plurality of metal pieces may include respective recessed portions that are shallower and narrower than respective recessed portions of the metal in the first plurality of recesses.
In some embodiments, the cable connector support structure may include a base station antenna Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that includes openings through which the metal and the plurality of metal pieces protrude. Moreover, the metal may include a first plurality of metal pieces in the first plurality of recesses, respectively, and the plurality of metal pieces in the second plurality of recesses may include a second plurality of metal pieces. Alternatively, the metal may include a single, continuous metal piece that is in each of the first plurality of recesses.
An antenna cable connector support structure, according to some embodiments herein, may include a connector block. The connector block may include a pair of antenna cable retention clip sidewalls on a first portion of the connector block. The connector block may include a first recess on a second portion of the connector block. Moreover, the connector block may include a second recess between the first recess and the pair of antenna cable retention clip sidewalls. The antenna cable connector support structure may include first and second metal pieces in the first and second recesses, respectively.
In some embodiments, the first and second portions of the connector block may include first and second ends, respectively, of the connector block. Moreover, the antenna cable connector support structure may include a base station antenna Printed Circuit Board (PCB) including first and second openings through which the first and second metal pieces, respectively, protrude.
According to some embodiments, the first and second recesses may be aligned with respect to the pair of antenna cable retention clip sidewalls. In some embodiments, the antenna cable connector support structure may include a third recess that extends between the first and second recesses. The third recess may be shallower than the first recess, and the first recess may be shallower than the second recess. The first metal piece may include a recessed portion that is shallower and narrower than a recessed portion of the second metal piece, and the third recess may be equally shallow and narrow as the recessed portion of the first metal piece. Accordingly, a portion of the first metal piece may be coplanar with a portion of the third recess.
In some embodiments, the pair of antenna cable retention clip sidewalls may protrude from the connector block in a first direction, and the first and second metal pieces may include respective protruding portions that protrude from the connector block in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna cable connector support structure may include a base station antenna feedboard assembly having a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) with first and second openings through which the first and second metal pieces, respectively, protrude.
A cable connector block assembly, according to some embodiments herein, may include a plastic block. The plastic block may include a cable retention clip, a first metal piece, and a second metal piece that are configured to receive different first, second, and third portions, respectively, of a cable. Moreover, the cable connector block assembly may include a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that includes first and second openings through which the first and second metal pieces, respectively, protrude.
In some embodiments, the cable connector block assembly may include an adhesive material connecting the plastic block and the PCB. Additionally or alternatively, the cable retention clip may protrude in a first direction, the plastic block may include a protruding portion that protrudes in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, and the PCB may include a third opening that is configured to receive the protruding portion of the plastic block.
According to some embodiments, the first metal piece may include a recessed portion that is shallower and narrower than a recessed portion of the second metal piece. Additionally or alternatively, the cable retention clip, the first metal piece, and the second metal piece of the plastic block may be configured to receive different first, second, and third portions, respectively, of a base station antenna cable. For example, PCB may be a phase shifter assembly PCB of a base station antenna.
In some embodiments, PCB may be a PCB of a feedboard assembly of a base station antenna. Moreover, the cable connector block assembly may include an antenna reflector on the feedboard assembly. The antenna reflector may include an opening through which the cable retention clip of the plastic block protrudes. Additionally or alternatively, the PCB of the feedboard assembly may include first and second openings through which first and second feed stalk Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) protrude, and the first and second PCBs may be connected to a radiating element of the base station antenna.
According to some embodiments, the cable retention clip may be a first cable retention clip that is configured to receive a first cable that extends in a first direction. Moreover, the plastic block may include a second cable retention clip that is configured to receive a second cable that extends in a second direction that intersects the first direction at an oblique angle.
Pursuant to embodiments of present inventive concepts, cable connector block assemblies are provided for base station antennas. Each cable connector block assembly may include a connector block that is mounted to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) before soldering metal of the cable connector block assembly to the PCB. This may help to reduce stress at solder joints, and thus may increase reliability and reduce Passive Intermodulation (PIM).
Each cable connector block assembly may be used with antenna Radio Frequency (RF) cables. For example a cable connector block assembly may be used with cables that connect to a feedboard assembly of a base station antenna or to a phase shifter assembly of a base station antenna. Accordingly, the PCB to which the connector block is mounted may be (i) a PCB of a phase shifter assembly or (ii) a PCB of a feedboard assembly. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the cable connector block assembly may be used with a filter of a base station antenna.
Because all of the cable retention clips and retention features may be located in one part/block, the tolerances of the cables to the retention features may be significantly tighter than conventional systems in which parts are separate. In particular, by using cable connector block assemblies according to embodiments herein, the location of features can be well-defined and process variation can be reduced. Moreover, the cable connector block assemblies according to embodiments herein may inhibit bending of the cables and may facilitate strong solder joints.
A cable connector block assembly pursuant to embodiments herein may thus simplify antenna RF cable connections by consolidating support for multiple portions of a cable in a single block, and may improve the solderability of the antenna RF cable connections by using rounded metal recess channels in the block. Specifically, the cable connector block assembly may help restrict undesired movement of the antenna RF cables, and may strengthen electrical connections with the antenna RF cables, thereby improving performance of the associated base station antenna.
Example embodiments of present inventive concepts will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached figures.
The clips 220C may be on a first end of the connector block 220. The cable connector block assembly 200 also includes metals 240M, 250M in recessed portions of the connector block 220. The metals 240M may be adjacent the clips 220C, and the metals 250M may be on a second end of the connector block 220 that is opposite the first end. Moreover, the connector block 220 may be mounted on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 210. The combination of the connector block 220 and its associated metals 240M, 250M and/or PCB 210 may be referred to as the “cable connector block assembly.”
In some embodiments, the terms “cable connector block assembly,” “cable connector support structure,” or “antenna cable connector support structure” may refer to an assembly or structure that includes the connector block 220 and the metals 240M, 250M, as well as one or more of the adhesive layer 215, the cables 230, and the PCB 210. For example, the cable connector block assembly 200 may be referred to as including the PCB 210. Alternatively, the words “cable connector block assembly,” “cable connector support structure,” or “antenna cable connector support structure” may refer to the connector block 220 and the metals 240M, 250M, and may be referred to as being mounted on the PCB 210.
Moreover, a ground plane 210G may be on the PCB 210 and may be connected to the ground sleeve 230G via a portion of the metal 240M (after soldering thereof) that protrudes through the opening 212. Accordingly, both the center conductor 230C and ground 230G of the cable 230 may be soldered to the same side of the PCB 210.
The detailed view provided by
In particular, the recess 245 and the recessed portion 250R are shaped and sized to accommodate the center conductor 230C of the cable 230, whereas the recessed portion 240R is shaped and sized to receive the ground sleeve 230G of the cable 230. Accordingly, a recessed portion 250R is shallower (in the z-direction) and narrower (in the y-direction) than a corresponding recessed portion 240R that is aligned with the recessed portion 250R in the x-direction. The y-direction is perpendicular to the x-direction and the z-direction that are illustrated in
The term “aligned,” as used with respect to the recess 245 and the recessed portions 240R and 250R, indicates that a straight line (e.g., the line A-A′ of
The alignment of the rounded recess channels 240R, 245, and 250R, as well as the consistent size between the channels 245 and 250R, help to keep the center lead 230C and ground sleeve 230G straight and in place. Furthermore, the absence of the gap 115 of
The recessed portion 250R of the metal 250M may help provide a strong solder joint for the center conductor 230C of the cable 230. Each recessed metal piece 250M may therefore be referred to as a “center lead metal piece.” In some embodiments, the recessed metal pieces 250M may be insert molded directly into the connector block 220, and may therefore be referred to as “center lead metal insert pieces.” Similarly, the recessed metal pieces 240M, which are electrically connected to ground, may be referred as “ground metal insert pieces.” Alternatively, the recessed metals 240M and 250M could be provided by metal plating. In contrast with using the recessed metals 240M and 250M according to present inventive concepts to support the cables 230, the prior art assembly in
A recess 245 extends between the recesses 240 and 250. Unlike the recesses 240 and 250, the recess 245 may be free of any metal other than the cable 230, and thus may be shallower (in the z-direction) than the recess 250, which may be shallower than the recess 240. The recesses 240 and 250 may be centered, or otherwise aligned, with respect to the pair of antenna cable retention clip sidewalls 220C. Additionally or alternatively, a front wall of the recess 240 that is in the y-z plane adjacent the recess 245 may provide a hard stop for the ground sleeve 230G of the cable 230, thus further supporting the cable 230 and holding it in place. The ground sleeve 230G has a longer radius than the center conductor 230C. In some embodiments, the center conductor 230C and the ground sleeve 230G may be referred to as “inner” and “outer” conductors, respectively, of the cable 230.
Each recess 250 may include a respective metal piece 250M. Similarly, each recess 240 may include a respective metal piece 240M.
In some embodiments, the connector block 320 includes a plurality of cable retention clips 320C that are configured to receive and retain a plurality of antenna RF cables, respectively. Each cable retention clip 320C may be aligned with a respective metal 340M, a respective metal 350M, and a respective recess 345. Whereas
The connector blocks 220 and 320 may be made of various non-metal materials. For example, each of the connector blocks 220 and 320 may be a plastic block. As an example, the plastic block may be a unitary (single piece) plastic block that includes all cable retention clips 220C (or 320C) and all recesses 240, 245, 250 (or 340, 345, 350). Each of the connector blocks 220 and 320 may thus be a molded block of an insulating material such as plastic. Accordingly, the cable retention clips 220C and 320C may be molded-in cable retention clips rather than separate pieces that are attached to the connector blocks 220 and 320. The metals 240M, 250M, 340M, and 350M may be any conductive material(s). For example, the metals 240M and 250M may be the same conductive materials or different conductive materials. Similarly, the metals 340M and 350M may be the same conductive materials or different conductive materials. The metals 340M and 350M (or the metals 240M and 250M) may be molded into the plastic of the connector block 320 (or the connector block 220) during the formation thereof so that the metals 340M and 350M (or the metals 240M and 250M) do not need to be separately attached to the plastic. Alternatively, the metals 340M and 350M (or the metals 240M and 250M) may be adhered or otherwise attached to the plastic after formation of the plastic piece.
The PCB 318 of the feedboard assembly 310 also includes openings 312 and 314 through which portions of the metal 340M and the metal 350M, respectively, may protrude. After placing the protruding portions of the metal 340M and the metal 350M through the respective openings 312 and 314, these protruding portions may be soldered to the PCB 318 of the feedboard assembly 310.
Referring back to
In contrast with direct soldering of the cables 130 to the PCB 110 in
The connector block 220 (or 320) further includes built-in cable retention clips 220C (or 320C). A single connector block 220 (or 320) thus includes a combination of the cable retention clips 220C (or 320C) and the rounded recess channels 240R, 245, 250R (or 340R, 345, 350R). The locations of the cable retention clips 220C (or 320C) and the rounded recess channels 240R, 245, 250R (or 340R, 345, 350R) can therefore be well defined and finely controlled, which may improve retention of, and inhibit bending of, the cables 230 (or 330). The plastic retention structure 120 of
Providing the cable connector block assembly 200 (or 300) may therefore provide a number of advantages. These advantages include simplifying and strengthening antenna RF cable 230 (or 330) connections. For example, the connections may be improved due to improved solderability provided by the recessed metal pieces 240M, 250M (or 340M, 350M) in the connector block 220 (or 320). Moreover, the same connector block 220 (or 320) supports all three portions 230C, 230G, 2301 (or 330C, 330G, 3301) of the cables 230 (or 330), and thereby both simplifies and strengthens support. Accordingly, the cable connector block assembly 200 (or 300) may help restrict undesired movement of the cables 230 (or 330), and may strengthen electrical connections with the cables 230 (or 330), thereby improving performance of the associated base station antenna.
Present inventive concepts have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. Present inventive concepts are not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are intended to fully and completely disclose present inventive concepts to those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.
Spatially relative terms, such as “under,” “below,” “lower,” “over,” “upper,” “top,” “bottom,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Herein, the terms “attached,” “connected,” “interconnected,” “contacting,” “mounted,” and the like can mean either direct or indirect attachment or contact between elements, unless stated otherwise.
Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. As used herein the expression “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of present inventive concepts. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/541,843, filed Aug. 7, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62541843 | Aug 2017 | US |
