Rotatable Antenna Apparatus

• US 20160380349A1
• Filed: 06/20/2016
• Published: 12/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airspan IP Holdco LLC (Airspan Networks Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Airspan Networks Inc.
• Inventors: Elson, David Charles
• Granted Patent: US 10,028,154 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/06 allowing pivoting
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/24 Acquisition or tracking or demodulation of signals transmitted by the system synchronisation aspects of direct sequence spread spectrum modulation H04B1/7073
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/53 Determining attitude
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/043 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/14 Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction aerial arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern H01Q3/00; combinations of different interacting aerial units for giving a desired directional characteristic H01Q21/29; aerials or aerial systems providing at least two radiation patterns H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0247 Determining attitude
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/02 Arrangements for de-icing; Arrangements for drying-out ; Arrangements for cooling; Arrangements for preventing corrosion
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1207 for fastening a rigid aerial element
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1228 on a boom
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1257 using the received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/50 Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/00 Antenna arrays or systems arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system H01Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/065 Patch antenna array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/08 the units being spaced along or adjacent to a rectilinear path waveguide fed H01Q21/0037
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/205 providing an omnidirectional coverage turnstile aerials H01Q21/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/24 Combinations of antenna units polarised in different directions for transmitting or receiving circularly and elliptically polarised waves or waves linearly polarised in any direction circularly polarised patch antennas H01Q9/0428; circularly polarised horns H01Q13/0241; cross-polarised horns H01Q13/0258; polarisation converters H01Q15/242; cross-polarised rear feeds H01Q19/136; crossed polarisation dual antenna H01Q25/001
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/002 : providing at least two patterns of different beamwidth; Variable beamwidth antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/005 : providing two patterns of opposite direction; back to back antennas H01Q25/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/02 : using mechanical movement of antenna or antenna system as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/04 : for varying one co-ordinate of the orientation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/10 : to produce a conical or spiral scan
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/12 : using mechanical relative movement between primary active elements and secondary devices of antennas or antenna systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/24 : varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 : varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/2611 : Means for null steering; Adaptive interference nulling
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/36 : with variable phase-shifters
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 : Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 : using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0456 : Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices antenna weighting
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0617 : for beam forming
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0621 : Feedback content
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0691 : using subgroups of transmit antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0695 : using beam selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0817 : with multiple receivers and antenna path selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/086 : using weights depending on external parameters, e.g. direction of arrival [DOA], predetermined weights or beamforming
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0874 : using subgroups of receive antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/088 : using beam selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 : for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 : the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0829 : Packet loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 : specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 : using beam steering
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0236 : radio quality, e.g. interference, losses or delay
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 : using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0284 : detecting congestion or overload during communication monitoring arrangements H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/24 : Negotiating SLA [Service Level Agreement]; Negotiating QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 : Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/22 : using selective relaying for reaching a BTS [Base Transceiver Station] or an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/06 : based on traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 : in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 : using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/02 : Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 : using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 : adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20 : Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating

Abstract

A rotatable antenna apparatus has a fixed unit for attachment of the apparatus to an external structure, and a rotatable unit mounted on the fixed unit and comprising an antenna assembly and processing circuitry coupled to the antenna assembly for signal processing. An interface unit, coupled to both the fixed unit and the rotatable unit, routes a cable to provide a wired connection from the fixed unit to the processing circuitry. The interface unit includes a cable housing within which a coiled length of the cable is enclosed. A control mechanism coupled to the interface unit constrains the amount to which the length of cable is wound and unwound within the cable housing to inhibit application of a stretching stress on the cable during rotatable unit rotation. This provides a very efficient, cost effective mechanism for providing a wired connection to the processing circuitry included within the rotatable unit.

Claims

1. A rotatable antenna apparatus comprising:

a fixed unit for attachment of the apparatus to an external structure;

a rotatable unit mounted on the fixed unit and comprising an antenna assembly and processing circuitry coupled to the antenna assembly for performing signal processing operations;

an interface unit coupled to both the fixed unit and the rotatable unit, and through which a cable is routed to provide a wired connection from the fixed unit to the processing circuitry, the interface unit providing a cable housing within which a length of the cable is enclosed in a coiled arrangement; and

a control mechanism coupled to said interface unit and arranged to constrain the amount to which the length of cable is wound and unwound within said cable housing so as to inhibit application of a stretching stress on said cable during rotation of said rotatable unit.

2. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a shaft connected to the rotatable unit and located for rotation within the fixed unit;

the cable housing being located around said shaft.

3. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of cable is arranged to move between an inner coiled configuration and an outer coiled configuration within the cable housing during rotation of said rotatable unit.

4. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the cable housing comprises a fixed portion and a rotatable portion, the length of cable being connected to both the fixed portion and the rotatable portion; and

the control mechanism is arranged to cause the rotatable portion to rotate during rotation of the rotatable unit.

5. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

the rotatable unit comprises a support for the antenna assembly and the processing circuitry; and

the control mechanism comprises interengaging formations on the support and on the rotatable portion of the cable housing to cause the rotatable portion to rotate during rotation of the support.

6. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the interengaging formations comprise a protrusion extending from the rotatable portion and a recess in the support configured to receive the protrusion.

7. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said recess is a slot that allows the support to be rotated by a predetermined amount before the rotatable portion begins to rotate.

8. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

the control mechanism further comprises a calibration mechanism to detect a zero reference point at which the length of cable adopts a first coiled configuration;

the support then being rotatable in a predetermined direction up to a specified maximum angle of rotation during which time rotation of the rotatable portion causes the length of cable to transition from the first coiled configuration to a second coiled configuration, both the first and second coiled configurations being configurations in which the length of cable is not subjected to said stretching stress.

9. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the calibration mechanism comprises an actuator freely rotatable between first and second end stops, and a protruding element protruding from the support;

during calibration the support being rotated in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction until the protruding element engages with the actuator and moves the actuator into contact with the first end stop.

10. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the protruding element incorporates a switch mechanism that is activated when the first end stop prevents further movement of the actuator, to indicate that the zero reference point has been reached.

11. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the length of cable is mounted in said cable housing with sufficient slack to allow the length of cable to adopt the first coiled configuration during said calibration without imparting the stretching stress on the cable.

12. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second end stop provides a physical limit on the amount of rotation that can be applied to the rotating portion of the cable housing in said predetermined direction starting from said zero reference point.

13. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

a motor to rotate said support;

the motor being arranged to limit its output so as to ensure that the support is not rotated in said predetermined direction by more than said specified maximum angle of rotation from said zero reference point.

14. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable housing is configured to constrain the cable in a predetermined orientation whilst the cable is wound and unwound within said cable housing.

15. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cable has a rectangular cross-section, and is orientated within the cable housing such that wider sides of the cable face each other in adjacent coils.

16. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein an additional cable is interleaved with said cable in the cable housing.

17. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said additional cable has a low surface friction.

18. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cable is an Ethernet cable.

19. A rotatable antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said specified maximum angle of rotation exceeds 360 degrees.

20. A rotatable antenna apparatus comprising:

a fixed means for attachment of the apparatus to an external structure;

a rotatable means for mounting on the fixed means and comprising an antenna means and processing means coupled to the antenna means for performing signal processing operations;

an interface means for coupling to both the fixed means and the rotatable means, and through which a cable is routed to provide a wired connection from the fixed means to the processing means, the interface means for providing a cable housing within which a length of the cable is enclosed in a coiled arrangement; and

a control means for coupling to said interface means and for constraining the amount to which the length of cable is wound and unwound within said cable housing so as to inhibit application of a stretching stress on said cable during rotation of said rotatable means.