Tower top cellular communication devices and method for operating the same

• US 20030040335A1
• Filed: 02/13/2002
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lin, Kui, McIntosh, Chris P.
• Application Number:
  US10/076,810
• Publication Number:
  US 20030040335A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/561
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1242 Rigid masts specially adapted for supporting an aerial
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 23/00 Antennas with active circuits or circuit elements integrated within them or attached to them
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A 3G network (100) and method are provided that reduce loses between a base transceiver station (node B 102) and an antenna (114). Generally, the network (100) includes a tower (112) having a tower-top (110) on which the antenna (114) is supported, a node B (102) and a separate amplifier (124) on the tower-top near to the antenna, the amplifier in a communication path between the node B and the antenna. In one embodiment, the network (100) further includes a backhaul (122) on the tower-top (110) near the antenna (114), the backhaul configured to couple signals between the node B (102) and a radio network controller (RNC 108). Preferably, the backhaul (122) is integrated with the node B (102). In another version, the backhaul (122) is configured to couple communication signals between the node B (102) and the RNC (108) via a 3G network (128). More preferably, a photovoltaic cell (132) on the tower (112) supplies electrical power to the node B (102), the amplifier (124) and the backhaul (122), thereby providing a self-contained tower-top node (134).

Claims

1. A node B for communicating with a UE through an antenna supported on a top of a tower in a 3G network, the node B configured to be affixed to the tower-top in a location proximal to the antenna,

whereby losses associated with coupling communication signals between the antenna and the node B are reduced.

2. A node B according to claim 1, wherein the node B reduces losses associated with coupling communication signals between the antenna and the node B by at least 3 dB over a 3G network in which the node B is not affixed to the tower-top in a location proximal to the antenna.

3. A node B according to claim 2, wherein the node B is capable of providing an outgoing communication signal from the antenna-having a power of at least 27 dBm.

4. A node B according to claim 1, wherein the 3G network further includes a radio network controller (RNC), and wherein the node B comprises:

at least one transceiver adapted to communicate with the UE through the antenna;

a power amplifier in a communication path between the at least one transceiver and the antenna, the power amplifier adapted to amplify outgoing communication signals received from the RNC, and to output amplified communication signals; and

a power supply for supplying power to the power amplifier and the at least one transceiver,

whereby the size, complexity and electrical power consumption of the node B are reduced.

5. A node B according to claim 4, wherein the node B further comprises a backhaul configured to couple communication signals between the node B and the RNC.

6. A node B according to claim 5, wherein the backhaul is configured to couple communication signals between the node B and the RNC via a 3G network.

7. A node B according to claim 6, wherein the node B is configured to receive electrical power supplied by at least one photovoltaic cell affixed to the tower, whereby a self-contained tower-top node is provided.

8. A 3G network comprising:

an antenna;

a tower having a tower-top on which the antenna is supported;

a node B affixed to the tower-top in a location proximal to the antenna, the node B having at least one transceiver configured to communicate with a UE through the antenna; and

an amplifier affixed to the tower-top in a location proximal to the antenna, the amplifier in a communication path between the node B and the antenna, and separate and distinct from the node B, the amplifier configured to amplify and filter communication signals passed between the node B and the UE.

9. A 3G network according to claim 8, wherein losses associated with coupling communication signals between the node B and the amplifier, and between the amplifier and the antenna are reduced by at least 3 dB over a 3G network not having a node B and an amplifier affixed to the tower-top in a location proximal to the antenna.

10. A 3G network according to claim 8, wherein the amplifier is capable of providing an outgoing communication signal from the antenna having a power of at least 39 dBm.

11. A 3G network according to claim 8, further comprising a radio network controller (RNC), and a backhaul affixed to the tower-top in a location proximal to the antenna, the backhaul configured to couple communication signals between the node B and the RNC.

12. A 3G network according to claim 11, wherein the backhaul is integrated with the node B.

13. A 3G network according to claim 11, wherein the backhaul is configured to couple communication signals between the node B and the RNC via a network.

14. A 3G network according to claim 13, further comprising at least one photovoltaic cell affixed to the tower for supplying electrical power to the node B, the amplifier and the backhaul, whereby a self-contained tower-top node is provided.

15. In a 3G network having an antenna supported on a top of a tower, a method for facilitating communication with a UE, the method comprising steps of:

providing a node B affixed to the top of the tower in a location proximal to the antenna, the node B having at least one transceiver configured to communicate with a UE through the antenna;

providing an amplifier affixed to the top of the tower in a location proximal to the antenna, the amplifier in a communication path between the node B and the antenna, and separate and distinct from the node B, the amplifier configured to amplify and filter communication signals passed between the node B and the UE;

operating the at least one transceiver to communicate with the UE; and

amplifying and filtering communication signals passed between the node B and the UE,

whereby losses associated with coupling communication signals between the node B and the amplifier, and between the amplifier and the antenna are reduced over a 3G network not having a node B and an amplifier affixed to the top of the tower in a location proximal to the antenna.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein losses associated with coupling communication signals between the antenna and the node B are reduced by at least 3 dB.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the step of amplifying and filtering communication signals passed between the node B and the UE comprises the step of transmitting an outgoing communication signal from the antenna having a power of at least 39 dBm.

18. A method according to claim 15, wherein the 3G network further comprises a radio network controller (RNC), and a backhaul affixed to the top of the tower in a location proximal to the antenna and configured to couple communication signals between the node B and the RNC, and wherein the method further comprises the step of coupling communication signals between the node B and the RNC using the backhaul.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the backhaul is configured to couple communication signals between the node B and the RNC via a 3G network, and wherein the step of coupling communication signals between the node B and the RNC using the backhaul comprises the step of coupling communication signals between the node B and the RNC via the 3G network.

20. A method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of supplying electrical power to the node B, the amplifier and the backhaul from at least one photovoltaic cell affixed to the tower.