Single port dual antenna

• US 9,059,501 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2013
• Issued: 06/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ownbey, Judson Kyle, Clemons, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Karacsony, Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/954,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20130321224A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 343/754, 343/757, 343/758, 343/762, 343/763, 343/766, 343/776, 343/777, 343/872
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/005 providing two patterns of opposite direction; back to back antennas H01Q25/004 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for transmitting radio frequency includes antenna elements configured to transmit radio frequency beams including a horizontal beam widths and vertical beam widths. The antenna elements are positioned to transmit radio frequency in directions to cover areas independent of each other. The system includes a port operatively coupled to the antenna elements to transmit power to the antenna elements to cause the antenna elements to transmit radio frequency in the respective directions. The antenna elements and the port form a distributed antenna system.

Claims

1. A distributed antenna system including multiple moveable antenna elements configured for enabling operation of mobile communication devices, the distributed antenna system comprising:

a port operatively coupled to first and second antenna elements, the port configured to transmit power to the first and the second antenna elements to cause the first antenna element and the second antenna element to transmit radio frequency in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, wherein a first coverage area of the first antenna element is determined, at least in part, on a first horizontal beam width, a first vertical beam width, and the power transmitted to the first antenna element and wherein a second coverage area of the second antenna element is determined, at least in part, on a second horizontal beam width, a second vertical beam width, and the power transmitted to the second antenna element; and

at least one motor operatively coupled to the first and the second antenna elements to independently position the first and the second antenna elements to cause a change in an orientation of at least one of the first and second antenna elements to transmit radio frequency in the first and the second directions;

wherein the first coverage area and the second coverage area are substantially spatially distinct and independently controlled.

2. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, further comprising a housing constructed and arranged to retain the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the port into a single integrated antenna device.

3. The distributed antenna system of claim 2, wherein the housing is cylindrical in cross-section.

4. The distributed antenna system of claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a height and a cross-sectional dimension.

5. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the first horizontal beam width is substantially equal to 65 degrees.

6. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the first vertical beam width is between 4 degrees and 24 degrees.

7. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the second horizontal beam width is substantially equal to 65 degrees.

8. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the second vertical beam width is between 4 degrees and 24 degrees.

9. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, further comprising a mount comprising a first end and a second end, the mount constructed and arranged to retain the first antenna element and the second antenna element at the first end, and the port at the second end.

10. The distributed antenna system of claim 9, wherein a position of the first antenna element relative to the second antenna element at the first end of the port is variable.

11. The distributed antenna system of claim 9, wherein the mount is hollow, the distributed antenna system further comprising wires operatively coupled to the first antenna element and the second antenna element at the first end and the port at the second end, the wires to transmit the power supplied to the port from an external source to the first antenna element and the second antenna element to cause the first antenna element and the second antenna element to transmit a first radio frequency beam and a second radio frequency beam, respectively.

12. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the first antenna element and the second antenna element comprise a down tilt from 0 degrees to 8 degrees.

13. The distributed antenna system of claim 1, wherein the first antenna element and the second antenna element comprise an azimuth from 0 degrees to 20 degrees.