Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With support for antenna – reflector or director
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-28
2001-04-24
Wong, Don (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With support for antenna, reflector or director
C343S878000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222502
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to directional antennas and radio communications, and more particularly to an apparatus for mounting directional antennas.
Wireless telecommunications systems utilize radio signals to exchange information between fixed-wire base stations and free-standing mobile stations. In cellular communications applications, for example, each base station transmits from an antenna over a fixed-area range called a “cell.” In order to provide service to mobile telephones over a large geographic area, many cells are positioned over the area to provide complete coverage.
In typical cellular configurations, base station antennas create large, hexagonal or circular-shaped macrocells with the main antennas located at the center of the cell. The transmissions from the base station ideally propagate outward 360 degrees from the antennas. These cells are often referred to as “omni-directional.” These omni-directional cells require the base station antennas to be mounted in an array that allows them to be pointed in a plurality of directions to provide 360 degrees of coverage. In order to provide this wide range of unobstructed coverage, the antennas must be mounted in a clear area, often located high above the ground on antenna towers.
In most cellular applications in densely occupied urban areas, the cellular antennas are mounted more closely to street level on towers projecting from the rooftops of buildings. These towers have proven to be unsightly, especially where the towers mount several antennas and their associated circuitry, cabling and other necessary equipment within the plain view of persons on the ground. The unsightliness of these structures can result in the unwillingness of building owners to allow necessary cellular antennas to be installed on their buildings.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved apparatus for mounting directional antennas and related equipment in a fashion that allows omni-directional propagation while maintaining a pleasant appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus for mounting a plurality of antennas via a convenient, visibly pleasing, self-contained structure. The present invention may be embodied in an apparatus that includes an enclosure having three adjoining side walls defining an interior space. Each of the walls includes an exterior surface and means on the exterior surfaces for mounting a plurality of antennas to the walls. The enclosure defines at least one opening to allow access to the interior space. The antennas may thus be mounted to the enclosure to be pointed in at least three opposing directions approximately 120° apart to provide 360°, omni-directional coverage. The interior space of the enclosure provides a convenient weatherproof area to store support equipment for operation of the antennas.
In another aspect of the invention, each of the three main side walls of the enclosure are positioned approximately 120° to each other, thereby creating a structure having a horizontal cross-section corresponding to an equilateral triangle. The upstanding walls allow sets of antennas to be mounted along each wall and pointed in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of each wall. This allows a 360° range of coverage for the antennas arrayed on the apparatus.
In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus is adapted for positioning on a rooftop in an unobtrusive fashion. The upstanding walls of the structure allow for camouflaging and provide a convenient enclosed space for enclosing and mounting electronic support equipment and cables out of sight.
The present invention may be further embodied in an apparatus that includes mounting means to allow antennas to be mounted to the enclosure along at least three planes angled approximately 120 degrees to each other. This structure allows antennas to be mounted to an enclosure having a variety of shapes.
Thus, the present invention provides a convenient apparatus for inconspicuously mounting directional antennas. The present invention may be used to mount antennas such as directional cellular antennas to the rooftops of buildings or other vertical structures, while providing an area for storage and mounting of related support equipment within the apparatus.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. The invention, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Falbo Richard R.
Kelter Joseph F.
Kise John A.
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Nguyen Hoang
Switzer Products, L.L.C.
Wong Don
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