Tower top cellular communication devices and method for operating the same
First Claim
1. A base transceiver station (BTS) for communicating with a mobile station through an antenna supported on a top of a tower in a cellular communication system, the BTS 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 BTS are reduced, and the BTS is configured to received electrical power supplied by at least one photovoltaic cell affixed to the tower, such that a self-contained tower-top node is provided.
19 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communication network (100) and method are provided that reduce loses between a base transceiver station (BTS 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 BTS (102) and a separate amplifier (124) on the tower-top near to the antenna, the amplifier in a communication path between the BTS 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 BTS (102) and a base station controller (BSC 108). Preferably, the backhaul (122) is integrated with the BTS (102). In another version, the backhaul (122) is configured to couple communication signals between the BTS (102) and the BSC (108) via a wireless communication system (128). More preferably, a photovoltaic cell (132) on the tower (112) supplies electrical power to the BTS (102), the amplifier (124) and the backhaul (122), thereby providing a self-contained tower-top node (134).
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Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A base transceiver station (BTS) for communicating with a mobile station through an antenna supported on a top of a tower in a cellular communication system, the BTS 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 BTS are reduced, and the BTS is configured to received electrical power supplied by at least one photovoltaic cell affixed to the tower, such that a self-contained tower-top node is provided.
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7. A communication network comprising:
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an antenna;
a tower having a tower-top on which the antenna is supported;
a base transceiver station (BTS) affixed to the tower-top in a location proximal to the antenna, the BTS having at least one transceiver configured to communicate with a mobile station through the antenna;
an amplifier affixed to the tower-top in a location proximal to the antenna, the amplifier in a communication path between the BTS and the antenna, and separate and distinct from the BTS, the amplifier configured to amplify and filter communication signals passed between the BTS and the mobile station; and
at least one photovoltaic cell affixed to the tower for supplying electrical power to the BTS, the amplifier and the backhaul, such that a self-contained tower-top node is provided. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. In a communication network having an antenna supported on a top of a tower, a method for facilitating communication with a mobile station, the method comprising steps of:
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providing a base transceiver station (BTS) affixed to the top of the tower in a location proximal to the antenna, the BTS having at least one transceiver configured to communicate with a mobile station 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 BTS and the antenna, and separate and distinct from the BTS, the amplifier configured to amplify and filter communication signals passed between the BTS and the mobile station;
operating the at least one transceiver to communicate with the mobile station;
amplifying and filtering communication signals passed between the BTS and the mobile station, whereby losses associated with coupling communication signals between the BTS and the amplifier, and between the amplifier and the antenna are reduced over a communication network not having a BTS and an amplifier affixed to the top of the tower in a location proximal to the antenna; and
supplying electrical power to the BTS, the amplifier and the backhaul from at least one photovoltaic cell affixed to the tower. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification