RADIO SYSTEM FOR HIGH-SPEED WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

• US 20140225803A1
• Filed: 01/31/2014
• Published: 08/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ubiquiti Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gerardo Huerta, Hsin-Ming Chen, John R. Sanford, Jude Lee
• Inventors: LEE, Jude, SANFORD, John R., HUERTA, Gerardo, JABBAZ, Gonzalo P., CHEN, Hsin-Ming, PERA, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,373,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/872
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/125 Means for positioning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2291 used in bluetooth or WI-FI devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/428 Collapsible radomes; rotatable, tiltable radomes
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0087 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing antenna arrays manufacturing waveguides H01P11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/065 Patch antenna array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/08 for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/50 Feeding or matching arrangements for broad-band or multi-band operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0428 radiating a circular polarised wave
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/045 with particular feeding means for circular polarisation H01Q9/0428
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component

Abstract

Indoor/outdoor broadband wireless combined radio/antennas configured to include an integrated adjustable mount allowing mounting to a pole or stand and adjustment of the angle of the device (e.g., the altitude) by a lockable ball joint. The device may include a compact array antenna having a high gain configured to operate in, for example, the 5.15 to 5.85 GHz band and/or the 2.40-2.48 GHz band. The antenna emitters may be arranged in a separate plane from a plane containing the antenna feed connecting the emitting elements and also from a ground plane. The antenna array may be contained within a protective weatherproof housing along with the radio control circuitry. The antenna may be manufactured by a simple stamping/forming process. The apparatuses may be configured for low impedance mismatch and may have a high gain relative to a very small and compact overall shape.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an array antenna, the method comprising:

forming a plurality of antenna radiating elements, a plurality of antenna feeds, and a plurality of slant feed lines from a single sheet of metal, so that the plurality of antenna radiating elements are arranged in a first plane and the plurality of antenna feeds are arranged in a second plane adjacent to the first plane, and each antenna radiating element of the plurality of antenna radiating elements is connected one or more of the antenna feeds by one or more of the slant feed lines; and

connecting the antenna radiating elements to a ground plate, wherein the ground plate is in a third plane that is adjacent to the second plane.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the single sheet of metal comprises a single sheet of tin plated steel, brass, or copper.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein forming comprising stamping the plurality of antenna radiating elements, the plurality of antenna feeds, and the plurality of slant feed lines from a single sheet of metal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein forming comprises bending the single sheet of metal to position the plurality of antenna radiating elements in the first plane and the plurality of antenna feeds in the second plane with the plurality of slant feed lines connecting the plurality of antenna radiating elements and the plurality of antenna feeds.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein forming comprises forming a plurality of antenna radiating elements having different surface areas in the first plane.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein forming comprises forming a plurality of antenna radiating elements wherein a surface area of the antenna radiating elements in the plurality of antenna radiating elements vary relative to each other by between about 0.1% and 20.0% of an average surface area of the antenna radiating elements in the plurality of antenna radiating elements.

7. A wireless broadband access device, the device comprising:

an antenna;

a housing coupled to the antenna, the housing comprising a bracket mount, wherein the bracket mount comprises a ball socket;

a deformable locking projection within the ball socket;

circuitry within the housing and connected to the antenna and configured to send and receive wireless broadband signals using the antenna;

a bracket comprising a ball joint, wherein the ball joint is configured to be held within the ball socket of the bracket mount, further wherein the ball joint has a textured surface; and

a clamp configured to be secured to the bracket mount and to hold the ball joint within the ball socket with a retaining force, wherein the clamp may be hand tightened to the bracket mount to provide sufficient retaining force to irreversibly deform the deformable locking projection against the textured surface of the ball joint so that the deformed locking projection interlocks with the textured surface.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the clamp and the bracket mount engage to form a ratchet lock that allows the clamp to be tightened to the bracket mount but prevents the clamp from loosening off of the bracket mount unless a release catch is engaged.

9. The device of claim 7, further comprising gear teeth on the bracket mount that engage a releasable pawl on the clamp to prevent loosening of the clamp from the bracket mount.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the bracket comprises a support arm configured to be secured to a pole, wall or stand.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the deformable locking projection comprises a crush ridge.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein the deformable locking projection comprises a ring in the ball socket.

13. The device of claim 7, wherein the deformable locking projection has a triangular cross-section.

14. The device of claim 7, wherein the clamp is configured as a ring clamp.

15. The device of claim 7, wherein the bracket mount is integrally formed as part of the housing.

16. The device of claim 7, wherein the housing has a flattened dome shape.

17. The device of claim 7, wherein the inside of the ball joint is rough.

18. The device of claim 7, further comprising a spirit level mounted in or on the housing.

19. The device of claim 7, wherein the antenna comprises an array antenna comprising a plurality of patch radiating elements.

20. The device of claim 7, wherein the housing encloses the antenna.

21. A wireless broadband radio device, the device comprising:

a housing enclosing an antenna and circuitry configured to send and receive wireless broadband signals using the antenna, the housing comprising a bracket mount, wherein the bracket mount comprises a ball socket;

a deformable locking projection within the ball socket;

a bracket configured to be attached to a wall, pole, or stand, the bracket comprising a ball joint that is configured to be held within the ball socket, further wherein the ball joint has a textured surface; and

a clamp configured to be secured to the bracket mount and to hold the ball joint within the ball socket with a retaining force, wherein the clamp may be hand tightened to the bracket mount to provide a retaining force sufficient to permit adjustment of the housing relative to the bracket and wherein the clamp may be further hand tightened to lock the ball joint in the ball socket and irreversibly deform the deformable locking projection against the textured surface of the ball joint so that the deformed locking projection interlocks with the textured surface.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the clamp and the bracket mount engage to form a ratchet lock that allows the clamp to be tightened to the bracket mount but prevents the clamp from loosening off of the bracket mount unless a release catch is engaged.

23. The device of claim 21, further comprising gear teeth on the bracket mount that engage a releasable pawl on the clamp to prevent loosening of the clamp from the bracket mount.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein the bracket comprises a support arm configured to be secured to a pole, wall or stand.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein the deformable locking projection comprises a crush ridge.

26. The device of claim 21, wherein the deformable locking projection forms a ring in the ball socket.

27. The device of claim 21, wherein the deformable locking projection has a triangular cross-section.

28. The device of claim 21, wherein the clamp is configured as a ring clamp.

29. The device of claim 21, wherein the bracket mount is integrally formed as part of the housing.

30. The device of claim 21, wherein the housing has a flattened dome shape.

31. The device of claim 21, wherein the inside of the ball joint is rough.

32. The device of claim 21, further comprising a spirit level mounted in or on the housing.

33. The device of claim 21, wherein the antenna comprises an array antenna comprising a plurality of patch radiating elements.

34. A method of positioning a wireless broadband access device, the method comprising:

placing a clamp over a first end of a bracket, the bracket comprising a ball joint at a second end of the bracket, wherein the ball joint has a textured surface;

placing the ball joint into a ball socket of a bracket mount that is connected to a housing of the wireless broadband access device;

attaching the clamp to the wireless broadband access device to hold the ball joint within the ball socket;

adjusting the position the wireless broadband access device by moving the ball socket relative to the ball joint; and

locking the position of the wireless broadband access device by tightening the clamp until a deformable locking projection within the ball socket of the bracket mount is irreversibly deformed against the textured surface of the ball joint so that the deformed locking projection interlocks with the textured surface.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising securing the bracket to a surface, pole or mount.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein attaching the clamp to the wireless broadband access device to hold the ball joint within the ball socket comprises tightening the clamps to engage a ratchet between the clamp and the broadband access device that allows the clamp to be tightened to the bracket mount but prevents the clamp from loosening off of the bracket mount unless a release catch is engaged.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein attaching the clamp comprises partially tightening the clamp so that the position of the wireless broadband access device relative to the bracket is adjustably held by the ball joint and ball socket.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein adjusting the position the wireless broadband access device comprises aiming an antenna within the housing of the wireless broadband access device to another wireless broadband access device.

39. A wireless broadband access device, the device comprising:

an antenna having an antenna port radio frequency (RF) pin extending therefrom;

a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a first layer and a plurality of additional layers;

an antenna contact electrically coupling the antenna port RF pin to the first layer of the PCB, wherein the antenna port RF pin passes through the additional layers of the PCB without making electrical contact therewith; and

a clearing region on each layer of the additional layers of the PCB, wherein each clearing region surrounds the antenna port RF pin on all sides in each layer of the additional layers of the PCB by more than about 0.5 mm, wherein the clearing region is substantially free of conductive materials.

40. The device of claim 39, wherein each clearing region forms a square region that is substantially free of conductive materials.

41. The device of claim 39, wherein each clearing region surrounds the antenna port RF pin by more than about 82 mm.

42. The device of claim 39, wherein each clearing region surrounds the antenna port RF pin by more than about 82.9 mm.

43. The device of claim 39, wherein each clearing region forms a rectangle.

44. The device of claim 39, further comprising a pair of ground pins extending from the antenna and through the additional layers of the PCB, wherein the pair of ground pins each make an electrical contact with the first layer.

45. The device of claim 44, wherein the antenna contact does not pass between the electrical contacts of the pair of ground pins on the first layer.

46. The device of claim 39, wherein the antenna comprises an array antenna.

47. The device of claim 39, wherein the antenna comprises a patch array antenna comprising a plurality of radiating elements.

48. The device of claim 39, further comprising a second antenna port RF pin extending from the antenna that passes through the additional layers and makes electrical contact with the first layer, wherein each of the additional layers comprises a second clearing region around the second antenna port RF pin.

49. The device of claim 39, wherein the PCB comprises circuitry configured to control transmission and receipt of broadband information from the antenna.

50. The device of claim 39, wherein only the first layer of the PCB makes electrical contact with the antenna port RF pin.

51. The device of claim 39, wherein the additional layers comprise more than four layers.

52. A wireless broadband access device, the device comprising:

an antenna having an antenna port radio frequency (RF) pin extending therefrom;

a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a first layer and a plurality of additional layers;

an antenna contact electrically coupling the antenna port RF pin to the first layer of the PCB, wherein the antenna port RF pin passes through the additional layers of the PCB without making electrical contact therewith;

a pair of ground pins extending from the antenna, the pair of ground pins in electrical contact with the first layer of the PCB; and

a clearing region on each layer of the additional layers of the PCB, wherein each clearing region surrounds the antenna port RF pin on all sides in each layer of the additional layers of the PCB by more than about 0.5 mm, wherein the clearing region is substantially free of conductive materials,

wherein the antenna contact does not pass between the pair of ground pins.

53. The device of claim 52, wherein each clearing region forms a square region that is substantially free of conductive materials.

54. The device of claim 52, wherein each clearing region surrounds the antenna port RF pin by more than about 1 mm.

55. The device of claim 52, wherein each clearing region surrounds the antenna port RF pin by more than about 1.9 mm.

56. The device of claim 52, wherein each clearing region forms a rectangle.

57. The device of claim 52, wherein the antenna comprises an array antenna.

58. The device of claim 52, wherein the antenna comprises a patch array antenna comprising a plurality of radiating elements.

59. The device of claim 52, further comprising a second antenna port RF pin extending from the antenna that passes through the additional layers and makes electrical contact with the first layer, wherein each of the additional layers comprises a second clearing region extending at least 0.5 mm all around the second antenna port RF pin.

60. The device of claim 52, wherein the PCB comprises circuitry configured to control transmission and receipt of broadband information from the antenna.

61. The device of claim 52, wherein only the first layer of the PCB makes electrical contact with the antenna port RF pin.

62. The device of claim 52, wherein the additional layers comprise more than four layers.

63. A wireless broadband access device, the device comprising:

an antenna comprising multiple radiating elements;

a first antenna port radio frequency (RF) pin extending from the antenna;

a second antenna port RF pin extending from the antenna;

a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a first layer and a plurality of additional layers, wherein the first antenna port RF pin is in electrical contact with a first antenna contact on the first layer and wherein the second antenna port RF pin is in electrical contact with a second antenna contact on the first layer, and wherein the first and second antenna port RF pins pass through, but do not make electrical contact with, the additional layers;

wherein each of the additional layers comprises a first clearing region that is substantially free of conductive materials and surrounds the first antenna port RF pin and a second clearing region that is substantially free of conductive material and surrounds the second antenna port RF pin, wherein each of the first and second clearing regions extend from the antenna port RF pin on all sides by at least 0.5 mm.

64. The device of claim 63, wherein each of the first and second clearing regions form a square or rectangular region.

65. The device of claim 63, wherein each of the first and second clearing regions surround the first or second antenna port RF pins by more than about 1 mm.

66. The device of claim 63, wherein each of the first and second clearing regions surround the first or second antenna port RF pins by more than about 1.9 mm.

67. The device of claim 63, further comprising a first pair of ground pins extending from the antenna adjacent to the first antenna port RF pin and through the additional layers of the PCB, wherein the first pair of ground pins each make an electrical contact with the first layer.

68. The device of claim 63, wherein the first antenna contact does not pass between the electrical contacts of the first pair of ground pins on the first layer.

69. A radio and antenna device for providing wireless broadband access, the device comprising:

a housing comprising a rear region having an integrated bracket mount, wherein the bracket mount comprises a ball socket;

wherein the housing encloses an array antenna having;

a ground plate in a first plane,

a plurality of antenna radiating elements above the first plane wherein each antenna radiating element has a radiating surface extending in a plane above the first plane, wherein the antenna radiating elements may extend in the same plane or in different planes,

an antenna feed in a third plane between the first plane and the radiating surfaces, and

a plurality of feed lines extending from the third plane, wherein each feed line connects an antenna radiating element to the antenna feed; and

a bracket comprising a ball joint, the bracket configured support the housing, wherein the bracket and bracket mount cooperate to provide a plurality of selectable tilt positions of the housing relative to the bracket.

70. The device of claim 69, further comprising optical indicators within the housing that are visible through a wall of the housing.

71. The device of claim 69, wherein the housing is water resistant.

72. The device of claim 69, further comprising a bubble level integrated onto the housing.

73. The device of claim 69, wherein the bracket mount comprises a deformable locking projection.

74. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the antenna feed comprises a plurality of antenna feed regions in the third plane.

75. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the plurality of feed lines comprises a plurality of slant feed lines, wherein each slant feed line connects one side of an antenna radiating element to the antenna feed.

76. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the radiating surfaces of each antenna radiating element of the plurality of antenna radiating elements extend in a second plane above the first plane.

77. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the first plane and the second plane are separated by between about 2 and about 20 mm.

78. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the first plane is separated from the third plane by between about 1 and about 10 mm, and wherein the second plane is separate from the third plane by between about 1 and about 10 mm.

79. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the antenna feed comprises a vertical polarization feed connection connected to a first radio connection point, and a horizontal polarization feed connection connected to a second radio connection point.

80. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the plurality of feed line are selected from the group consisting of:

a plurality of slant feed lines wherein each slant feed line connects to the edge of one antenna radiating element from the plurality of antenna radiating elements to the antenna feed, and a plurality of cylindrical feed lines wherein each cylindrical feed line connects one antenna radiating element from the plurality of antenna radiating elements to the antenna feed at a position that is off-center relative to the radiating surface of the antenna radiating element.

81. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the antenna feed is formed of a single sheet of metal.

82. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the plurality of antenna radiating elements, antenna feed, and plurality of feed lines are all formed of a single sheet of metal.

83. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the plurality of antenna radiating elements consists of four antenna radiating elements.

84. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the plurality of antenna radiating elements consists of nine antenna radiating elements.

85. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the antenna gain is between about 15 and about 20 dB.

86. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the bandwidth of the antenna is between about 5.15 to 5.85 GHz.

87. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the bandwidth of the antenna is between about 2.40 to 2.48 GHz.

88. The array antenna of claim 69, wherein the planes in which the ground plate, plurality of antenna radiating elements and antenna feed extend are separated from each other by air.