Active Antenna System (AAS) Radio Frequency (RF) Module with Heat Sink Integrated Antenna Reflector

• US 20130222201A1
• Filed: 02/23/2013
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Futurewei Technologies Incorporated (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Futurewei Technologies Incorporated (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ma, Zhengxiang, Ou, Shengjun, Plaza, Daniel, Pierides, Alexis, Gong, Minwei
• Granted Patent: US 9,356,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/834
• 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 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/10 using reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/106 using two or more intersecting plane surfaces, e.g. corner reflector antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/205 providing an omnidirectional coverage turnstile aerials H01Q21/26
• 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: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems

Abstract

On-board heat dissipation can be achieved in radio frequency (RF) modules by integrating a heat sink into the RF module'"'"'s antenna reflector. Said integration achieves a compact and aesthetically pleasing RF module design that reduces the overall footprint of modular active antenna systems (AASs). Embodiment antenna reflectors include portions that are perforated and/or exposed to free flowing air to provide enhanced heat dissipation capability.

Claims

1. An antenna comprising:

a radiating element; and

an antenna reflector configured to reflect electromagnetic signals radiated from the radiating element, and to dissipate heat generated by the antenna into free-flowing air.

2. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the antenna reflector includes a heat sink configured to dissipate heat generated by the antenna into the free-flowing air.

3. The antenna of claim 2, wherein the antenna reflector is designated the primary heat exchanger for the antenna.

4. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the antenna reflector is perforated.

5. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the radiating element is affixed to a reflecting face of the antenna reflector.

6. The antenna of claim 5, wherein the antenna reflector comprises a heat dissipating face configured to be exposed to the free-flowing air.

7. The antenna of claim 6, wherein the heat dissipating face comprises a plurality of heat dissipating fins.

8. The antenna of claim 6, wherein the reflective face of the antenna reflector includes perforations, the perforations of the reflective face enabling free-flowing air to pass through the reflective face of the antenna reflector to the heat dissipating face of the antenna reflector.

9. The antenna of claim 8, wherein the perforations have dimensions configured to be smaller than a smallest wavelength radiated by the radiating element during normal operation.

10. The antenna of claim 8, wherein the perforations have dimensions configured to be smaller than or equal to lambda/2, where lambda is a smallest wavelength radiated by the radiating element during normal operation.

11. An active antenna system (AAS) module comprising:

an antenna reflector structurally configured to dissipate heat, the antenna reflector having a reflective face;

a radiating element fastened to the reflective face of the antenna reflector; and

a radome affixed to the reflective face of the antenna reflector, thereby forming a cavity at least partially surrounding the radiating element.

12. The AAS of claim 11, wherein the antenna reflector is designated as the primary heat exchanger for the AAS.

13. The AAS of claim 11, wherein the cavity is a weatherproof cavity formed over an encased portion of the reflective face of the antenna reflector, and wherein a non-encased portion of the reflective face of the antenna reflector remains exposed to free-flowing air.

14. The AAS of claim 13, wherein the non-encased portion of the reflective face of the antenna reflector includes perforations is perforated.

15. The AAS of claim 14, wherein the perforations are slots.

16. The AAS of claim 14, wherein the perforations are curved.

17. The AAS of claim 14, wherein the perforations are circular.

18. The AAS of claim 14, wherein the perforations are smaller than a smallest wavelength radiated by the radiating element during normal operation.

19. The AAS of claim 14, wherein the perforations are less than or equal to lambda/2, where lambda is a smallest wavelength radiated by the radiating element during normal operation.

20. The AAS of claim 14, wherein the perforations are smaller than an average wavelength radiated by the radiating element during normal operation.

21. The AAS of claim 13, wherein the perforations are smaller than or equal to lambda/2, where lambda is an average wavelength radiated by the radiating element during normal operation.

22. The AAS of claim 11, wherein the antenna reflector further includes a heat dissipating face comprising a plurality of heat dissipating fins.

23. The AAS of claim 22, wherein the heat dissipating face is configured to be exposed to free-flowing air.

24. The AAS of claim 22, wherein the heat dissipating face is different than the reflective face.

25. A method for operating an active antenna, the method comprising:

transmitting or receiving a wireless signal by a radiating element of the active antenna, wherein the wireless signal is at least partially reflected by an antenna reflector of the active antenna; and

dissipating heat from the antenna reflector to free flowing air.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the antenna reflector include perforations.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the antenna reflector includes heat dissipating fins.