The present disclosure is directed to cell poles for providing coverage for local service areas. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to small cell access cell poles having a reduced size to more aesthetically match their environment.
In wireless communication networks, high powered base stations (e.g., towers supporting antennas) commonly provide serve service to wireless user devices. Each base station is capable of serving wireless user devices in a coverage area that is primarily determined by the power of the signal it can transmit. Frequently, high powered base stations are located in a grid pattern and these base stations typically mount various antennas at an elevated location, such as on a tower. For example, such base stations may include a single omnidirectional antenna, two 90 degree sector antennas, or three 120 degree sector antennas to provide 360 degree coverage. In any arrangement, radio wave propagation from the base station is affected in unpredictable ways by objects in the environment, such as trees, buildings and so forth. Radio signals will often follow the roadways in urban canyons, bouncing back and forth between buildings, and not following a direct line between the emitter and receiver. Such interference affects the data transfer rate of such large base stations.
To improve wireless access, providers are moving toward smaller stations that provide coverage for a more limited geography. That is, to augment the coverage of the wireless network, wireless transceiver devices/stations (e.g., antennas) with relatively small coverage areas (and serving capacities) are deployed. Depending on their coverage area and serving capacities, these wireless transceiver devices are referred to as “femto” cells or “pico” cells, or more generally, small cell access point devices or small cell poles. For simplicity and generality, the term “small cell pole” is used herein to refer to a wireless transceiver device that is configured to serve wireless user devices over relatively small coverage areas and with generally less capacity as compared to a “macro” base station that is configured to serve a relatively large coverage area (“macro cell”). Such small cell poles are now being deployed to provide coverage for individual city blocks. Along these lines, such small cell poles are commonly deployed on sidewalks and other rights of way within urban environments.
The ever increasing use of RF bandwidth or ‘mobile data’ requires a corresponding increase in the number of small cell poles located within urban environments. By way of example, proposed 5G wireless networks promise greatly improved network speeds and are currently being planned and implemented. However, such networks typically require shorter RF transmission distances compared to existing networks and will require more dense networks of access points/small cell poles to handle data traffic. In the wireless industry, this is referred to as densification. Residents of many communities have objected to such densification in their neighborhoods often due to the aesthetic concerns of such small cell poles.
The present disclosure is directed to small cell poles that are configured for use in urban environments. In various implementations, the small cell poles have a configurations similar to existing utility poles, which minimizes their aesthetic obtrusiveness. In order to reduce the size of an antenna structure of such a small cell pole, implementations utilize antennas that are vertically stacked, which permits an antenna structure of a small cell pole to have a reduced cross-dimension or width. In various implementations, one or more antennas are vertically stacked within a spatial envelope of a pole. For instance, one or more antennas may be disposed within the interior of a pole such that a resulting cell pole is similar in appearance to a utility pole.
In one implementation, an antenna enclosure is provided. The antenna enclosure or small cell pole includes a pole having a lower end configured for attachment relative to a ground surface. An upper end of the pole is configured to support one or more antenna support sections. A periphery of the upper end of the pole and/or a sidewall periphery of the pole defines a projection of the pole above its top end, where the projection is disposed around the longitudinal axis of the pole. This projection generally defines a spatial envelope of the pole. A first antenna support section is connectable to the top end of the pole. The first antenna support section is an elongated member having an upper end and a lower end that are spaced to define an interior volume there between. At least the first support structure extends between the upper end and lower end. The support structure is offset from the longitudinal axis of the pole to increase the interior volume of the antenna support section. The upper end, lower end and support structure of the first antenna support section are configured to be disposed within the projection of the pole when connected to the pole. The antenna support section may house one or more antennas. Typically, these antennas are disposed within an interior of the antenna support section such that they remain within the projection of the pole. The pole may include a second antenna support section connected to the first support structure. The second antenna support section may be configured similarly to the first antenna support section and is likewise disposed within the projection of the pole. The second antenna support section is supported by the first antenna support section. Additional antenna support sections may be incorporated above the second antenna support section. In this regard, the antenna support sections are modular sections allowing additional antenna support sections may be added depending on needs of particular small cell pole. In various implementations, a radio-frequency transparent sleeve is applied to the antenna support sections.
In one implementation, the antenna support sections are formed of annular end plates, which need not be circular (e.g., octagonal). The annular end plates include an interior aperture that permits the passage of cables through the antenna support sections. In one arrangement, the annular in plates include a plurality of apertures around their periphery to allow for connection to the pole, adjacent antenna support section or other structures. The plurality of apertures permit adjacent antenna support sections to be rotated relative to one another such that supported antennas may be directed in different directions. In one implementation, the apertures are elongated to permit additional directional adjustment of antennas supported by the antenna support sections.
In one implementation, the support structure extending between the upper and lower ends of the antenna support section is formed of one or more struts. In such an implementation, the strut(s) may be substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pole. However, the strut(s) is offset from the longitudinal axis as noted above. In such an implementation, a side of the antenna support section may remain substantially open to permit an antenna to emit a beam patterns free of obstruction. In another implementation the support structure extending between the upper and lower ends of the antenna support section is a peripheral sidewall. In such an implementation, the peripheral sidewall may have a window along its length and around a portion of its periphery to permit an antenna to emit a beam pattern free of obstruction.
In further implementations, the modular antenna support sections may be incorporated into an antenna structure that is larger than the diameter of a supporting pole. While not fitting within the projection of the pole, the vertical stacking of the antenna support structures permits a reduced cross dimensional size of the antenna structure.
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which at least assist in illustrating the various pertinent features of the presented inventions. The following description is presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the following teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The embodiments described herein are further intended to explain the best modes known of practicing the inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the presented inventions.
The present disclosure is directed to small cell poles that are configured for use in urban environments. In various embodiments, the small cell poles have a configurations that minimizes their aesthetic obtrusiveness making them more suited for use in urban environments. Various embodiments of the presented inventions are related to the recognition by the inventors that small cell poles may be incorporated into configurations that are similar to utility poles currently existing in urban environments. By way of example, most streets already have a number of light poles and/or power poles. Accordingly, by mimicking the configuration of such existing poles, the obtrusiveness of such small cell poles may be reduced. Further, it has been recognized that most current cell poles utilize multiple sector antennas that provide coverage for different arc portions or azimuth directions of a 360° coverage cell. For instance, such cell poles often include three 120° sector antennas, which provide 360° coverage for the cell site. Most commonly, such sector antennas are arranged at a common height above the surface/ground in an elevated antenna structure. Due to the size of the individual sector antennas, the resulting antenna structure of the cell pole typically is significantly wider than a pole supporting the antenna structure, which results in an overall cell pole structure that does not blend in with its surroundings. The inventors have further recognized that the space within the interior of a pole may, in some instances, be utilized to house such antennas. Further, the inventors have recognized that by vertically stacking multiple sector antennas, 360° coverage may be provided from a cell pole that has dimensions similar to a light pole or other utility pole. Yet further, the inventors have recognized that by making each antenna support of such vertically stacked antennas as a separate section, a resulting cell pole may be modular, which may allow adding or removing antennas as needed.
Fasteners, such as threaded posts or bolts, are formed on an upper surface (e.g., flange; not shown) of the equipment housing 12 to facilitate attachment of a pole 20, which may support one or more small cell antenna structures 24. As shown, the cell pole 10 has a two-part design: the lower equipment housing 12 and the pole 20. The two-part construction allows for easier construction and implementation during set-up. That is, the equipment housing 12 can be installed separately from the pole 20 and/or antenna structure 24. Additionally, any equipment contained in the equipment housing may be installed at a later time. The present embodiment also illustrates a light mast or arm 16 attached to an upper portion of the pole 20. The illustrated light mast 16 supports a street light 18.
As set forth in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0279187, the interior of the equipment housing 12 may open into the generally hollow interior of the pole 20. This allows passage of cables from the equipment housing(s) into the center of the pole to, for example, one or more antennas and/or lights. The pole is generally intended to be located in an urban area while assimilating with its urban surroundings. That is, the cell pole may simulate the look and feel of a street light pole to prevent distraction from the natural urban setting.
As noted above, the inventors have recognized that the space within the interior of a pole may, in some instances, be utilized to house one or more antennas. That is, the inventors have recognized that the interior space of the pole is currently not utilized and provides a space that could house one or more antennas such that those antennas are disposed within a spatial envelope of the pole.
As illustrated in
In the present embodiment, each antenna support section 70 supports an antenna such that the antenna support section 70 and its antenna is disposed within the spatial envelope or projection of the pole 54.
A structural support or strut 76 extends between the upper plate 72 and lower plate 74. The ends of the strut 76 are fixedly attached (e.g., welded, bolted, integrally formed, etc.) to each plate. As will be appreciated, when utilized in the assembled cell pole, the antenna support section 70 becomes a structural member that supports structures attached to its upper end such as, for example, upper antenna support section, lights etc. Thus, the antenna support section must support loads such as compressive loads and/or moment loads (e.g., wind loading) applied by supported structures or elements. Accordingly, the strut 76 may include multiple struts (not shown) that extend between the plates and/or various bracing with the plates to provide adequate structural rigidity. Further, it will be noted that when multiple antenna support sections are provided in a single cell pole, the configuration of adjacent antenna support sections may be different. For instance, a lower antenna support section may have thicker plates and/or struts (e.g., to support greater loads) while upper antenna support sections may have thinner plates and/or struts and/or be made of different materials. For instance, the lower antenna support section may be made of steel while upper antenna support sections may be made of a lighter materials such as aluminum or composites.
As shown, the structural support or strut 76 is offset from the center or longitudinal axis 71 of the antenna support section 70. Typically, the longitudinal axis 71 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the monopole when the cell pole is assembled, though this is not a strict requirement. The offset ‘d’ between the strut 76 and the longitudinal axis of the monopole/cell pole increases the interior volume 75 of the antenna support section 70. That is, an antenna support section having a central support strut (e.g., aligned with the longitudinal axis of the antenna support section and/or monopole) would significantly limit the size of an antenna element may be disposed within the interior volume 75. Further, it is desirable that any struts or support members be positioned such that a side portion of the antenna support section remain substantially open. That is, as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the strut 76 also forms an antenna mount, though separate antenna mounts are possible and considered within the scope of the present disclosure. As shown in
To further permit fine directing of antennas supported by the illustrated antenna support section 70, the upper and lower plates 72, 74 each include a plurality of apertures 78 disposed about their periphery. These apertures 78 allow for connecting each antenna support section 70 to structures above and below the antenna support section 70 utilizing one or more fasteners (e.g., bolts). The apertures 78 allow for rotating each antenna support section relative to one or more adjacent antenna support sections to align two or more adjacent antennas in different azimuth directions. Further, the apertures 78 may be elongated. The elongation of the apertures 78 permits additional adjustment between two adjacent structures prior to affixing their relative positions, for example, by tightening one or more fasteners. Accordingly, this additional adjustment provides fine-tuning of the direction of an antenna supported by the antenna support section 70.
Referring again to
Once the cell pole 50 is assembled, it may be desirable to cover the antenna support sections 70 and antennas 90 to provide a finished look and to allow the resulting small cell pole to better blend in with its surroundings. As shown in
In order to permit an antenna (not shown) disposed within the interior of the antenna support section 170 to provide communications substantially free of interference, the sidewall 176 includes an antenna opening or window 178. The window 178 extends through a portion of the height and about radial length or arc of the sidewall 176. The exact size of the window may be modified depending on an antenna that will be supported by the support section. In any case, the window 178 provides an opening that allows an antenna positioned within the interior of the antenna support section to be exposed to the environment substantially free of interference. Each antenna support section 176 may include an interior mount 179 that allows for attaching an antenna (not shown) within the interior of the antenna support section. In one embodiment, the interior mount 179 is formed as a cylindrical element to permit rotation of the antenna element when installed. Once assembled, a sleeve may be positioned over the antenna support sections and/or substantially RF transparent covers may be provided for the windows in the antenna support sections.
Though discussed above in relation to maintaining antenna sections within the spatial envelope of a supporting pole, it will be appreciated that aspects of the present disclosure have other applications. For instance, the individual antenna support sections may be utilized to provide a small cell pole that has an antenna structure having a reduced diameter compared to an antenna structure that mounts multiple antennas at a common height.
Though primarily discussed in relation to antenna support sections that each support an individual antenna, it will be appreciated that other embodiments may provide antenna support structures that support multiple antennas.
The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the inventions and/or aspects of the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the presented inventions. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/475,195 filed on Mar. 22, 2017, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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20100231469 | Kim | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20150349399 | Lasier | Dec 2015 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20180351245 A1 | Dec 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62475195 | Mar 2017 | US |