Patent Application
20160049711
Existing wireless base stations utilize “top hat” resonators as a part of a cavity filter that is made a part of an amplification system, where the name “top hat” is derived from the shape of the resonator. Typically, a top hat resonator is connected to a filter body of the cavity filter using a mechanical screw arrangement. However, this connection technique has its disadvantages. For example, once installed the screw may interfere with other components of the filter, such as a tap-pin that is used to couple a radio frequency (RF) signal to a cavity filter. Such interference degrades the operation of the cavity filter.
It is therefore desirable to provide methods and devices for connecting top hat resonators to cavity filters that avoid the disadvantages of existing connection techniques.
It is further desirable to provide methods and devices for connecting top hat resonators to cavity filters that avoid the disadvantages of existing connection techniques.
Exemplary embodiments of methods and devices for connecting a resonator to a cavity filter are provided.
According to one embodiment, a cavity filter may comprise: a resonator (e.g., top hat resonator) comprising a first threaded portion, the first threaded portion comprising a variable thread size configured to connect to a filter body, and a filter body comprising a second threaded portion, the second threaded portion comprising a variable thread size configured to connect to the first threaded portion. The cavity filter may be part of a tower mounted amplifier or antenna, for example.
In addition to a resonator and filter body, inventive cavity filters may additional comprise a tap pin, where the filter body may be further configured to receive the tap pin at a position that provides satisfactory coupling of an RF signal.
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, by using threaded portions to connect a resonator and filter body an RF signal may be more satisfactorily coupled (i.e., from a resonator to a tap pin).
In yet a further embodiment, a resonator may comprise a first contact area, while a filter body may comprise a second contact area, where the first contact area may be configured to contact the second contact area to form an electrical ground.
Resonators used with the inventive cavity filters may operate over a range of frequencies selected from at least 600 MHz to 960 MHz and 1650 MHz to 2700 MHz, for example.
Regarding the threaded portions, in one embodiment the first and second threaded portions may comprise threads that are 12 millimeters in size, for example. More generally, however, the first and second threaded portions may comprise threads whose size varies based on a size of a re-entrant cavity. Said another way, the first threaded portion of the resonator may comprise a variable thread size that may be configured to connect to the second threaded portion of the filter body (and vice-versa).
While the embodiments above are directed at the combination of a resonator and a filter body it should be understood that alternative embodiments are directed at the component parts of a cavity filter (i.e., a resonator, or a filter body).
In addition to inventive cavity filters and components, the present invention also provides related methods. For example, in one embodiment a method for connecting a resonator to a filter body may comprise: connecting a resonator, comprising a first threaded portion having a variable thread size, to a filter body; and connecting a filter body, comprising a second threaded portion having a variable thread size, to the first threaded portion. Further, the method may comprise receiving a tap pin in the filter body at a position that provides satisfactory coupling of an RF signal.
As before the resonator may be a top hat resonator capable of operating over a range of frequencies selected from at least 600 MHz to 960 MHz and 1650 MHz to 2700 MHz, for example, while the so-connected cavity filter may be part of a tower mounted amplifier or antenna. Still further, the inventive methods may utilize threaded portions whose size may comprise threads that are 12 millimeters in size, or, more generally, whose size may vary based on a size of a re-entrant cavity.
Still further, the method may comprise contacting a first contact area of a resonator with a second contact area of a filter body to form an electrical ground.
Additional features will be apparent from the following detailed description and appended drawings.
Exemplary embodiments for connecting a resonator, such as a top hat resonator, to a filter body of a cavity resonator are described herein and are shown by way of example in the drawings. Throughout the following description and drawings, like reference numbers/characters refer to like elements.
It should be understood that, although specific exemplary embodiments are discussed herein, there is no intent to limit the scope of present invention to such embodiments. To the contrary, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments discussed herein are for illustrative purposes, and that modified and alternative embodiments may be implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention.
It should also be noted that one or more exemplary embodiments may be described as a process or method. Although a process/method may be described as sequential, it should be understood that such a process/method may be performed in parallel, concurrently or simultaneously. In addition, the order of each step within a process/method may be re-arranged. A process/method may be terminated when completed, and may also include additional steps not included in a description of the process/method.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural form, unless the context and common sense indicates otherwise.
As used herein, the term “embodiment” refers to an embodiment of the present invention.
As used herein the term “threaded” includes, but is not limited to, partially threaded.
As is evident from
In the embodiments shown in
While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that variations of the disclosed embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.
