Patent Application
20240136721
Monopalms are monopoles disguised as palm trees. These structures are popular in tropical and desert climates in the United States, as well as in comparable climates around the world. Monopalms are usually single-carrier wireless facilities disguised as palm trees. Such monopalms typically have a set of antennas mounted at a top of the monopalm, and the antennas are typically concealed using manufactured palm fronds.
A multi-antenna structure may include a monopole and a first antenna array mechanically connected to the monopole at a first location via a first mounting apparatus. The first antenna array may also include a first cellular antenna and a first radio unit. The structure may also include a second antenna array mechanically connected to the monopole at a second location via a second mounting apparatus, with a second cellular antenna and a second radio unit. The structure may include a first set of fronds arranged about an outer surface of the monopole where each of the first set of fronds forms a first respective angle with the monopole. The first set of fronds may be configured to obscure the first antenna array from view. The structure may include a second set of fronds arranged about the outer surface of the monopole where each of the second set of fronds forms a second respective angle with the monopole. The second set of fronds may be configured to obscure the second antenna array from view.
In some embodiments, the first mounting apparatus may include a first antenna standoff mechanically connected to the monopole and a first mounting pole, where the first antenna standoff provides an adjustable first distance between the first antenna array and the monopole. The second mounting apparatus may include a second antenna standoff mechanically connected to the monopole and a second mounting pole, where the second antenna standoff allows an adjustable second distance between the second antenna array and the monopole. The first mounting apparatus and the second mounting apparatus may be mechanically connected to the monopole via one or more clamps. The first mounting apparatus and the second mounting apparatus may allow the first antenna array and the second antenna array to be moved vertically along the monopole. Each of the first respective angles may be within a first range of 0° to 150°, inclusive. Each of the second respective angles may be within a second range of 90° to 180°, inclusive. Each of the one or more band collars may support one or more fronds of the first set of fronds and/or the second set of fronds. Each band collar of the one or more band collars may be mechanically connected to another band collar of the one or more band collars and the one or more band collars are connected to the monopole via compression. The first antenna array and the second antenna array may allow the first cellular antenna and the second cellular antenna, respectively, to be tilted with respect to the monopole. The first antenna array may be associated with a first cellular network provider and the second antenna array may be associated with a second cellular network. The first antenna array and the second antenna array may be associated with a first cellular network provider.
In some embodiments, each of the first set of fronds may include a shaft with a horizontal section and a down section. The horizontal section and the down section may meet at the first respective angle. Each of the second set of fronds may include a shaft with a horizontal section and a down section, where the horizontal section and the down section meet at the second respective angle. The horizontal section and the down section may include separate pieces, connected such that the second respective angle may be adjusted. Cabling may be disposed within the monopole. At least one of the first antenna array and the second antenna array may include one or more components of a 5G cellular network. The first respective angle and the second respective angle may be adjustable.
In an embodiment, a method may include attaching an antenna assembly on an existing cellular antenna structure. The existing cellular antenna structure may include a first antenna array. the antenna assembly may include a mounting bracket, an antenna standoff, a radio unit, and a second antenna array. The method may then include positioning the mounting bracket on the existing cellular antenna structure such that the second antenna array is below the first antenna array. The method may include adjusting a position of the second antenna array to achieve a performance metric. The method may include attaching a set of fronds configured to obscure the antenna assembly from view. The method may include providing cellular network service using the second antenna array.
In some embodiments, a horizontal section of a palm frond of the set of palm fronds and a down section of the palm fronds may include separate pieces and are connected such that the second respective angle may be adjusted. The set of fronds is angled towards the ground. The cellular network service may include a 5G cellular network.
In some local government regulations, monopalms are required to be “anatomically correct.” For example, the city of Phoenix has design guidelines indicating that the “trimmed leaf cluster” (pineapple shaped trimmed fronds) must be mounted directly beneath the palm fronds and be painted to blend with the pole structure (and the required faux bark on the pole.)
Such a requirement presents a challenge for mounting a second set of antennas on an existing monopalm that already has a first set of antennas mounted on the top of the monopalm. Such a mount condition is referred to as collocation of a second antenna array to a monopalm or simply “collocation” herein. In considering that local government requirements often demand that a collocation has to be “anatomically correct” (i.e., disguised in a convincing manner), the second set of antennas have to be positioned and convincingly disguised on the monopalm in a way that a casual observer would recognize the monopalm, as a whole, still looks like a palm tree.
It is observed that existing methods for collocating a second antenna array to a monopalm typically fail to satisfy the “anatomically correct” or “convincingly disguised” requirement mentioned above. For example, one existing method places the second antenna array underneath the space covered by the existing palm head of a particular monopalm and uses a bark-like sleeve to cover the second antenna array. This typically does not match how a palm tree looks in nature. In general, a majority of single carrier monopalms (e.g., only one set of antennas are mounted and disguised) remain as such because it is difficult to create a collocation and deploy it in a way that achieves a convincing appearance to satisfy the “anatomically correct” or “convincingly disguised” requirement. This is why many local governments have not allowed collocations (installation of second antenna arrays) to monopalms.
One solution may be the collocation of multiple antenna arrays on the monopalm, ensuring that the palm frond head remains one single unified palm head on the tree. The proportionality of the frond head may be preserved to create a convincing disguise across both antenna arrays. For achieving that, a few considerations are taken into account when designing a second collocation that satisfies the “anatomically correct” or “convincingly disguised” requirement.
One consideration is that the space occupied by the equipment installed on the monopole (trunk) of the monopalm should be minimized, so that horizontal extension of that equipment is reduced to the extent that the collocation does not look unnaturally bulky and is successfully disguised by the installation of manufactured palm fronds. Another consideration may be the vertical space occupied by the equipment's extension along the trunk of the monopalm. The vertical space may be minimized so the equipment can be effectively hidden by fronds which are of an appropriate size and proportion. These considerations may create a natural appearance of a palm tree after the collocation is installed accordingly.
Still another consideration may be the adjustability of the mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus may be adjusted according to the existing palm head covering the first set of antennas spacing required between the first set of antennas and the new, collocating antenna array, and the horizontal and vertical spaces occupied by the new, collocated antenna array. The mounting apparatus may therefore mount the second set of antennas and the required manufactured fronds in a way that the collocation's appearance merges with the existing palm head's appearance. This may result in a unified, or single palm frond head for the monopalm.
The first and second antenna arrays 104a-b may be attached to the monopole 108 via respective mounting apparatuses that allows the first and second antenna arrays 104a-b to be moved in relation to the monopole 108. For example, one or both of the first and second antenna arrays 104a-b may be translated vertically along the monopole 108, rotated about the monopole 108, or moved radially outward from the monopole 108. The respective mounting apparatuses may also allow the first and second antenna arrays 104a-b to be tilted up and/or down. The first and/or second antenna arrays 104a-b may include components enabling one or more cellular networks including 5G New Radio (NR), 4G LTE, 6G, 7G, etc. Although only two antenna arrays are shown, there may be any number of antenna arrays on the monopalm 100.
In some embodiments, the monopalm 100 may be retrofit to collocate antennas associated with multiple cellular network providers. For example, the first antenna array 104a may be associated with a first cellular network provider. At some point after installation, the owner of the monopalm 100 may wish to co-locate an antenna for a second cellular network provider. Thus, the second antenna array 104b may be attached to the monopalm 100 via a respective mounting apparatus. Necessary hardware (e.g., a radio unit), cabling, and other such items may be added to the monopalm 100 to enable the second antenna array 104b to provide a cellular network. In other embodiments, the monopalm 100 may be deployed with the first and second antenna arrays 104a-b already installed.
The first and second sets of palm fronds 106a-b may be manufactured to create an appearance of a single palm frond head. Therefore, the first set of palm fronds 106a may be installed at a first angle (e.g., the angle θ) such that the first set of palm fronds mimic those of a real palm tree. For example, the first respective angle may be within a range of 0° to 150°. The second set of palm fronds 106b may be installed at a second respective angle, within a range of 90° to 180°, inclusive. Each of the first and second set of palm fronds 106a-b may be attached to the monopole 108 via one or more band collars, configured to support one or more palm fronds. The band collars may be attached to the monopole 108 via compression fitting, welding, mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw or a bolt), or any other suitable connection.
The mounting pipe 202 may be configured to mount the antenna 204 and via the antenna arms 212. The mounting pole 202 may also be connected to the standoff 208 via a mechanical connection (e.g., a U-shaped connector, a bolt, etc.). The standoff 208 may be connected to the mounting bracket 210 via a mechanical connection (e.g., bolts, screws, etc.). The mounting bracket 210 may be connected to the monopole (not pictured). The mounting apparatus 200 may only show a portion of the mounting apparatus used to connect the first and second antenna arrays 104a-b to the monopalm 100 in
The standoff 208 may be configured to support the antenna 204 at a distance from the monopole. In some embodiments, the standoff 208 may be a solid piece of material, and this the distance between the antenna and the monopole. In other embodiments, the standoff 208 may be adjustable e.g., between 5 to 48 inches, inclusive), such that the antenna 204 may be moved closer or farther from the monopole.
The antenna arms 212 may be configured to extend outwardly from the mounting pole 202. In some embodiments, both antenna arms 212 may extend that same distance from the mounting pole, such that the antenna 204 is parallel to the mounting pole 202. In other embodiments, the antenna arms may be configured to extend to differing lengths. For example, the top antenna arm 212 may extend such that the antenna 204 may be angled down with respect to the ground. Additionally or alternatively, the bottom antenna arm 212 may extend such that the antenna 204 may be angled up with respect to the ground.
The mounting apparatus 200 may also include radio racks 206. The radio racks 206 may be rotatable, so as to have different radio mounting positions. The rotatable racks 206 may allow the radio in the radio racks 206 to be positioned close to the back of the antenna 204. This may be desired when the antenna 204 is attached to the monopole to create an appearance of a single palm frond head, by mating up to the first location on the monopole (such as the first location 102 shown in
The mounting bracket 210 may be used to attach the portion to the monopole. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may include a clamp, of various shapes to ensure adequate and secure attachment of the equipment to the monopole. Together with a shortened length of the standoff 208, the mounting bracket 210, may reduce the space between the antenna 204 and monopole.
The mounting brackets 302a-c may be attached to the monopole 108 via a compression force. The compression may be provided at least in part by the tension rods 316. Each tension rod 316 may include threads on each end of the tension rod 316. The tension rod 316 may extend between two of the mounting brackets 302a-c. The tension rods 316 may extend through an opening in adjacent clamps of the mounting brackets 302a-c. The fasteners 318 may be attached via the threads on each end of the tension rods 316. The fasteners 318 on either end of the tension rod 316 may be tightened, pulling the adjacent clamps together, resulting in a compression force between the mounting brackets 302a-c inwards towards the monopole 108.
A distance between each of the mounting brackets 302a-c may be adjusted to create a desired sectional mount for specific antenna placement and alignment in the antenna array. In some embodiments, the vertical height of the clamp may be adjusted to alter a vertical placement of the antennas and related equipment (e.g., a radio unit). The vertical height may also be adjusted to merge with the appearance of a first set of palm fronds at the first location such as the first location 104 shown in
The band collar 404 may be attached to a monopole such as the monopole 108 in
The corner 407 may form an angle between the horizontal section 406 and the down section 408. In some embodiments, the corner 407 may be formed by bending or altering the shaft in order to create an angle. In the example of the second set of palm fronds 106b in
In an example, the palm frond 402f may be adjusted. While in a first position the down section 408 may for a 90° angle with the horizontal section 406. The down section 408 may be locked in the first position via the connector 410. The connector 410 may then be unlocked, and then down section 408 may be moved and locked into a second position via the connector 410. While in the second position, the down section 408 may form a second angle with the horizontal section 406 (e.g., 115°, 130°, 180°, etc.). By adjusting the angle of the palm frond 402f, the appearance of the set of palm fronds 400 may be adjusted to better appear as a real palm tree. Additionally, the palm frond 402f may permit access to an antenna array hidden behind the set of palm fronds 400 to perform repairs, retrofits, etc.
Although the palm fronds 402a-e are shown as having a single shaft, bent at a corner, it should be understood that all or some of the palm fronds a-e may be adjustable similar to the palm frond 402f. The band collar 404 may therefore include one or more adjustable palm fronds (e.g., the palm frond 402f) and/or fixed palm fronds. It should also be understood that a monopalm such as the monopalm 100 in
At step 502, the method 500 may include attaching an antenna assembly to an existing cellular antenna structure. The existing cellular antenna structure may include a first antenna array associated with a first cellular network provider. The existing cellular antenna structure may be a monopalm such as the monopalm 108 in
At step 504, the method 500 may include positioning the mounting bracket positioning the mounting bracket on the existing cellular antenna structure. The second antenna array is below the first antenna array. For example, the second antenna array may be placed in the second position 102a from
At step 508, the method 500 may include attaching a set of palm fronds to the monopalm. The set of palm fronds may obscure the second antenna array from view. The set of palm fronds may be similar to the set of palm fronds 400 in
At step 510, the method 500 may include providing a cellular network service using the second antenna array. Providing the cellular network service may also include using the radio unit and/or other components. The cellular network service may include networks such as 5G New Radio (NR), 4G LTE, 6G, 7G, etc. In some embodiments, the second antenna array may be associated with a different cellular network provider than that associated with the first antenna array. Thus, the existing antenna structure may now include collocated antenna arrays, associated with different cellular network providers. Because of the second set of palm fronds, the existing antenna structure may appear to be a real palm tree, with both the first and second antenna arrays obscured from view.
While the invention has been described in detail, modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. It should be understood that aspects of this invention and portions of various embodiments and various features recited above and/or in the appended claims may be combined or interchanged either in whole or in part. In the foregoing descriptions of the various embodiments, those embodiments which refer to another embodiment may be appropriately combined with other embodiments as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to limit the invention. All US patents and publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/380,179, filed on Oct. 19, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63380179 | Oct 2022 | US |
