Antenna Mast and a Method of Providing a Further Function in an Antenna Mast

• US 20120208521A1
• Filed: 02/11/2011
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Häger, Peter, Röhl, Anders
• Application Number:
  US13/025,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20120208521A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/422.1
• 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 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence

Abstract

An antenna mast for a wireless communication system is provided. The antenna mast comprises a mast body that is configured to form a supporting structure for an antenna arrangement of the wireless communication system at an elevated position on the antenna mast. The mast body is also configured to house therein a transceiver arrangement and a processor adapted to perform random user-related communication operations in a cell of the wireless communication system, the cell comprising the antenna arrangement, the transceiver arrangement, and the processor. The mast body is further configured to house at least part of a device to be utilized for a function other than supporting the antenna arrangement. The device comprises a communication interface for establishing a connection with the wireless communication system. A method of providing a further function in an antenna mast for a wireless communication system is also provided.

Claims

1. An antenna mast for a wireless communication system, the antenna mast comprising a mast body configured to:

form a supporting structure for an antenna arrangement of the wireless communication system at an elevated position on the antenna mast,

house therein a transceiver arrangement and a processor, the transceiver arrangement and processor configured to perform user-related communication operations for a cell of the wireless communication system, and

house therein at least part of a device configured to perform a function other than physically or functionally supporting the antenna arrangement, said device comprising a communication interface for establishing a connection with the wireless communication system.

2. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the communication interface is configured to establish a connection with the cell of the wireless communication system.

3. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured for transfer of data to and from a third apparatus via the wireless communication system.

4. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to transmit data via the wireless communication system.

5. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises an input device and is adapted to receive input signals via the input device.

6. The antenna mast according to claim 5, wherein the input device is a touch screen.

7. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to receive data via the wireless communication system.

8. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a clock configured to receive control data via the wireless communication system and the communication interface.

9. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a traffic light configured to receive control data via the wireless communication system and the communication interface.

10. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a compartment with a door and a lock for locking the door, the lock configured to receive control data via the wireless communication system and the communication interface.

11. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a life-saving device configured to receive control data via the wireless communication system and the communication interface.

12. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a waste bin configured to communicate a status of filling of the waste bin via the communication interface and the wireless communication system.

13. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a weather station configured to send weather-related data via the communication interface and the wireless communication system.

14. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a vending machine configured to communicate a status of the vending machine via the communication interface and the wireless communication system.

15. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises an electronic screen configured to receive data comprising information to be presented on the screen via the wireless communication system and the communication interface.

16. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a parking meter configured to communicate data relating to at least one of the parking meter and car parking facilities via the communication interface and the wireless communication system.

17. The antenna mast according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises an electric power socket configured to communicate data relating to use of the electric power socket via the communication interface and the wireless communication system.

18. A method implemented in an antenna mast of a wireless communication system for performing a function other than physically or functionally supporting an antenna arrangement at an elevated position on the antenna mast, wherein the mast body houses a transceiver arrangement and a processor of the wireless communication system, and also houses at least part of a device configured to perform said function, wherein the method comprises:

performing user-related communication operations in a cell of the wireless communication system, the cell comprising the antenna arrangement, the transceiver arrangement, and the processor,

establishing a communication link between the device and a third apparatus via a communication network, and

transferring data between the device and the third apparatus via the communication link.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein establishing a communication link comprises:

establishing a connection between the device and at least one of the transceiver arrangement and the processor, and

establishing a connection between the transceiver arrangement and the third apparatus.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the connection between the device and at least one of the transceiver arrangement and the processor is established via a cable connection.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the connection between the device and at least one of the transceiver arrangement and the processor is established via a wireless connection.

22. The method according to claim 18, wherein transferring data comprises transferring data relating to at least one of:

a status of the device; and

a status of a service provided in connection with the device.

23. The method according to claim 18, wherein the device comprises an input device, and wherein transferring data comprises transferring data related to input signals received from the input device.

24. The method according to claim 18, wherein the device comprises an electronic screen, and wherein transferring data comprises transferring data comprising information to be presented on the electronic screen.

25. The method according to claim 18, wherein the third apparatus is a mobile communication device.