Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
  • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
  • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
  • H01Q1/24—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set
  • H01Q1/241—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM
  • H01Q1/246—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for base stations
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
  • H01Q1/42—Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome

Definitions

• the invention relates to the field of cellular telephony and more particularly, the base stations of a cellular or mobile telephone network.
• a cellular network includes a central transceiver at each cell called a "base station".
• a base station allows the mobile phone to connect to the network to send and receive communications.
• the connection between the mobile phone of the user and the base station is via a radio link.
• a base station conventionally consists of a relay antenna and an electronic cabinet responsible for the management of communications.
• the relay antenna is mounted on a mast which must be placed on a raised site to cover as wide an area as possible.
• an antenna of a base station comprises an outer envelope, commonly called radome, which is of elongated shape and which delimits a cavity in which are provided a plurality of radiating elements, a system of distribution of energy between the radiating elements and a reflective device.
• radome an outer envelope, commonly called radome, which is of elongated shape and which delimits a cavity in which are provided a plurality of radiating elements, a system of distribution of energy between the radiating elements and a reflective device.
• the outer casing may be made of a composite material or alternatively ASA or polycarbonate.
• composite materials are materials that are not very transparent to radio waves.
• ASA and polycarbonate have limited strength properties but are transparent to radio waves.
• the mast is an essential element since it is he who ensures the mechanical strength of the assembly. Antenna systems must withstand high winds, up to 200 km / h, for example. This is why the diameter of the masts can be greater than 600 mm. The importance of this diameter contributes to the visual clutter of conventional antenna systems.
• a relatively large distance must be provided between the mast and the antenna in order to orient the antenna in azimuth.
• mast means an elongated support, made in particular of metal, intended to be installed so as to extend vertically and to carry telecommunication antennas.
• camouflage systems intended to cover at least partially the antenna.
• these systems are extremely fragile and have a relatively short life span, given the climatic constraints.
• they are not very effective in preserving the environment.
• the document EP-1 606 855 describes an antenna system comprising an upper active part with the antennas and a lower service part.
• the antennas and the carrier core are placed in a cylindrical housing or radome.
• Such a system makes it possible to give a cylindrical shape to the antenna system and thus to limit its visual impact on the environment.
• this case is an additional piece that fulfills only an aesthetic function.
• an antenna system is a much higher cost than that of the elements that compose it.
• such a housing can disrupt the operation of the antennas.
• an antenna system must be pre-assembled before being put in place, for example on a roof of a building.
• a system is bulky and heavy to handle, which makes its implementation extremely complex, especially in urban areas.
• the invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art by proposing an assembly for the realization of an antenna system for a base station whose installation is simplified.
• an antenna system according to the invention that includes one or more antennas makes it possible to limit the visual nuisances in the environment, thanks to its compactness. In addition, it allows the successive installation on existing base stations of new antennas for different technologies.
• the invention relates to an assembly for producing an antenna system intended for a base station of a telephone network comprising: at least one antenna comprising an external envelope of determined height delimiting a cavity closed by two walls; end, and in which is provided a reflector device, associated with radiating elements, and stiffening means, mechanically independent of the reflector device, a support, connecting means between said at least one antenna and the support, characterized in it further comprises means for mechanically connecting the connecting means and the stiffening means and in that the connecting means are designed to bear on both the end walls of the antenna and the support , so as to grip the antenna when it is mounted on the support.
• the linkage means to the mast are generally connected to the reflector and not to the outer casing of the antenna. This is due to the fact that the reflector is conventionally made of aluminum and has a greater mechanical strength than the envelope itself. This type of fixation makes it possible to use the mechanical strength of the reflector. However, it has a major drawback which is the absence of separation between the electrical and mechanical functions.
• stiffening means are associated with the outer casing of the antenna and are mechanically independent of the reflector device. Furthermore, because of the mechanical connection between the connecting means and the stiffening means of the antenna, the stresses resulting from the mounting of the antenna on the support are supported essentially by the stiffening means.
• the reflector is generally given a weight greater than that strictly necessary for its electrical function. This of course has consequences for the overall weight of the antenna and its manufacturing cost.
• the reflector device can be considerably lightened and the stiffening means do not bring overweight to the antenna.
• the reflector device does not have to provide mechanical function, its design is not limited by constraints related to a high level of mechanical strength.
• the connecting means do not lead to an increase in the space generated by the antenna and the mast themselves. Indeed, they are not placed between the antenna and the mast, as in antenna systems according to the state of the art, these connecting means leading to a spacing of the antenna and the mast.
• an antenna system made from such an assembly is of a smaller footprint compared to a conventional antenna system and thus reduces the visual nuisance on the environment.
• the support can be a mast. In this case, it may have a shape complementary to that of the antenna, so that after connection between the antenna and the mast, they have a compact outer shape.
• This embodiment further reduces the visual nuisance of an antenna system made from this set.
• the antenna and the mast are designed to have, once bound, a substantially continuous outer shape and rounded.
• the support is constituted by at least one other antenna comprising stiffening means independent of its reflector device, the connecting means being designed to bear on the end walls of each antenna, so that after their assembly, the connecting means enclose and ensure their connection.
• This set provides an antenna system radically different from those known in the state of the art, since it requires no mast.
• each antenna has stiffening means that make it self-supporting.
• An antenna system made from such an assembly is therefore particularly compact and its impact on the environment is reduced compared to conventional antenna systems.
• the shape of the antennas can also be chosen so that they, once assembled, have a continuous outer shape and rounded.
• the assembly according to the invention may also comprise a mast.
• the connecting means are also designed to be fixed on said mast.
• the connecting means are segmented.
• the connecting means are substantially planar.
• the connecting means are designed to allow the azimuth orientation of each antenna.
• the invention also relates to an assembly for an antenna system for a base station further comprising at least one profile, intended to be mounted between two antennas.
• the height of this profile corresponds substantially to that of the antennas.
• This profile may have, after assembly of the assembly, two different functions.
• This profile can firstly have a stiffening function and is particularly useful when groups of complementary antennas must be added above an existing group of antennas.
• the profile structure is designed so that it can provide this stiffening function.
• Such a profile inserted between two antennas may also have the function of giving the assembly consisting of the antennas and the profile a substantially continuous outer shape and rounded. In this case, the profile does not need to have a significant mechanical strength. It has the effect of reducing the visual annoyance of the antenna system obtained.
• the invention also relates to an antenna system for a base station of a telephone network, comprising at least one antenna, which comprises an outer envelope of determined height, delimiting a cavity closed by two end walls, and in which is provided a reflector device, associated with radiating elements, and stiffening means, mechanically independent of the reflector device, characterized in that said at least one antenna is fixed on a support by means of connecting means supporting the on the walls end of said at least one antenna and on said support, so as to grip the antenna, the connecting means being mechanically connected to the stiffening means of said at least one antenna.
• the invention also relates to an antenna system for a base station of a telephone network, comprising at least two groups of at least two antennas, each antenna comprising an external envelope of determined height delimiting a cavity closed by two walls. end, and in which there is provided a reflector device, associated with radiating elements, and stiffening means, mechanically independent of the reflector device, each group of antennas being intended for different networks, said at least two groups being placed at different heights in said system and the antennas of each group being assembled by connecting means bearing on the end walls of each antenna, so as to grip them, the connecting means being mechanically connected to the stiffening means of said antennas.
• These networks can be of the WIMAX, GSM, UMTS or PMR type, for example.
• This antenna system may include a mast.
• the antenna installation comprises at least two groups of three antennas, placed at different heights of the system.
• this antenna system comprises at least one profile between two antennas intended for the same network.
• FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of an antenna according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a side view of an antenna according to the invention being mounted on a mast
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 2, FIG.
• Figure 5 illustrates a variant of the mast shown in Figures 2 to 4, with a detail A
• Figure 6 shows a system of two antennas According to the invention assembled without mast and associated with two profiles
• Figure 7 illustrates, in cross section, a system of three antennas according to the invention
• Figure 8 shows an antenna system comprising three groups of antennas, intended for 9 is a perspective view of a detail of FIG. 8
• FIG. 10 is a cross-section of an antenna system comprising profiles
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of FIG. 12
• Figure 12 is an alternative embodiment of Figure 7.
• the elements common to the different figures will be designated by the same references.
• the antenna 1 according to the invention comprises an outer casing 10 or radome which delimits a cavity 11 which is closed by two end walls 12 (shown in Figure 2). In the examples illustrated in the figures, these end walls extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis YY 'of the envelope 10. Inside this cavity, a reflector device is provided.
• reflector 13 for radiating elements not shown in FIG. reflector may consist of a single reflector or a plurality of reflectors.
• stiffening means 14 are also provided.
• these stiffening means are related to the outer casing 10 of the antenna. They could also be designed to be directly integrated into the outer envelope.
• the stiffening means are designed to be in contact with at least a portion of the inner wall 100 of the casing. They comprise two symmetrical elements 141 and 142 and which are arranged on either side of the axis of symmetry XX 'of the antenna.
• the stiffening means are here connected together by end plates (not shown) and are not limited to this embodiment.
• the length of the stiffening means may correspond to the height of the antenna, so as to be the most effective.
• the reflector device 13 is fixed in the cavity 11, by means of fixing means on the stiffening means 14. This attachment can in particular be made by gluing. This allows slight relative movements between the reflector and the stiffening means. Such movements may in particular be due to differences in expansion between the different elements forming the antenna 1.
• the stiffening means are mechanically independent of the reflector device. As will be seen in more detail in the following description, this makes it possible to make the stiffening means support the stresses exerted on the antenna. Thus, the reflector device 13 hardly supports mechanical stresses and its electrical function is not impaired.
• the mounting of the antenna shown in Figure 1 will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. These figures show the antenna 1, a mast 2 and means 3 for connecting the antenna to the mast.
• These connecting means 3 comprise two elements 3a and 3b.
• Each of them has a substantially flat portion 30, here in the form of wings or open V, and tabs 31 each extending a branch of the V, in a plane substantially perpendicular to the portion 30.
• These two tabs frame a zone 33 corresponding to the base of the V and which is intended to come into contact with the mast, as illustrated in FIG.
• the element 3a is symmetrical with respect to an axis ZZ 'passing through the center of the wall 32.
• Each element 3a or 3b is mounted on the mast 2 by any appropriate means, in particular by means of a collar.
• the mounting of the antenna 1 on the mast 2 is carried out as follows.
• the element 3a is first fixed on the mast 2.
• the antenna is provided on each of its end walls with two projecting connecting elements 15, one of them being illustrated in FIG. 2.
• Each element 15 is fixed to the stiffening means 14. When these have the shape illustrated in Figure 1, each element 15 is fixed in a corresponding opening 140 of each element 141, 142 stiffening means.
• the two elements 15, located on the wall 12 which will be the bottom wall of the antenna once mounted, are then introduced into the two openings 32 of the element 3a. The latter therefore bears on the lower wall 12.
• connecting elements may in particular be threaded.
• retaining means 17, such as nuts are screwed onto the elements 15 to ensure their retention in the openings 32.
• this maintenance does not hinder the sliding movement of the elements 15 in the openings 32 of oblong shape.
• the connecting element 3b is positioned above the antenna 1, as shown in FIG. 3. It is then slid along the mast, in the direction illustrated by the arrow F until the elements 15 protruding from the wall 12 in the upper position after mounting the antenna, are inserted into the openings 32 of the connecting element 3b. The latter is then resting on the upper wall 12 and, at least in part, facing the stiffening means 14. As previously, retaining means 17 are then placed on the elements 15 to hold them in the openings 32 while allowing them to slide inside these openings.
• the attachment of the connecting elements on the end walls of the antenna could be provided by any other appropriate means.
• the connecting means 3 enclose the antenna and are mechanically connected to the stiffening means 14.
• the antenna 1 can be placed substantially against the mast.
• the known systems ensure the attachment of an antenna on a mast with intermediate elements, arranged radially, and which move the antenna away from the mast.
• the invention therefore allows mounting of the antenna which significantly reduces its visual impact compared to conventional fastening systems.
• FIG. 4 illustrates two extreme positions of the antenna 1, with respect to the mast 2. These two extreme positions are defined with respect to the median position illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the axis of symmetry XX 'of the antenna coincides with the axis of symmetry ZZ' of the connecting element 3a.
• the antenna In the position A 1 the antenna is tilted to the left with respect to the plane of the figure, so that its axis of symmetry XX 'is at an angle with the axis of symmetry ZZ' of the element 3a.
• the retaining means 17 located on the left of the figure is in abutment against the bottom 320 of the corresponding opening 32, while the retaining means
• the axis of symmetry XX 1 of the antenna also makes an angle with the axis of symmetry ZZ 'of the element 3a.
• the antenna 1 can take all the intermediate positions between the positions A and B illustrated in FIG. 4. Moreover, what has just been described for the element 3a and the antenna 1 is directly transferable to the movement relative of the antenna 1 and the element 3b.
• FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the antenna illustrated in FIG.
• FIG. 5 is a view from above of an antenna 1, mounted on a mast 20, via connection means, of which an element 4b is illustrated in FIG. 5.
• the mast 20 differs from the mast 2 illustrated in Figure 3 in that it has not a cylindrical section but a semi-spherical section.
• the mast 20 comprises an outer envelope 200 delimiting a cavity 201.
• the connecting means associated with the antenna 1 and the mast 20 differ from those illustrated in FIG. 3 in that they carry nuts 204 intended to be inserted into the grooves 203. These nuts are, for example, snap nuts. or quarter turn nuts. These nuts are connected to the connecting means, themselves mechanically connected to the stiffening means.
• FIG. 6 illustrates two antennas 1 assembled thanks to connection means according to the invention.
• FIG. 6 is thus a view similar to FIG. 5 which shows, seen from above, two antennas 1 according to the invention which are arranged so that their end walls are placed opposite each other.
• the two antennas 1 are mounted together by means of connection means, an element 5b of which is illustrated in FIG. 6.
• the connecting element 5b is supported on two end walls 12 of the antennas 1.
• the element 5b is located at the upper part of the antennas mounted and installed on a base station.
• the element which is symmetrically arranged on the lower end walls of the two antennas 1 is not visible in FIG. 6.
• the element 5b is substantially plane and has, in this embodiment, two axes of symmetry YiY-T and Y2Y2 1 - After assembly of the antennas and the connecting element 5b and in the median position of the antennas, the axis of The symmetry YiYT of the element 5b coincides with the axis of symmetry XX 'of the antennas, whereas the axis of symmetry Y 2 Y2' of the connecting element 5b constitutes an axis of symmetry between the two antennas 1.
• the connecting element 5b has a generally rectangular shape, comprising four oblong apertures 52.
• the openings are symmetrical two by two with respect to the axes Y 1 Yr and Y 2 Y 2 '.
• the retaining means 17 may be placed for the projecting elements 15 of each antenna.
• the latter are also connected to the stiffening means 14. Insofar as the connecting elements bear on the end walls of the antennas, the constraints resulting from the mounting of the antennas between them are directly and mainly supported by the stiffening means. 14.
• each connecting element makes it possible to adjust the azimuth orientation of each antenna 1. This adjustment is carried out for each antenna independently.
• the axis of symmetry of each antenna may no longer coincide with the axis of symmetry
• the two-antenna system according to the invention also comprises two profiles 50.
• Each section has an elongated shape and their height preferably corresponds substantially to that of the two antennas, so as to extend between the connecting means and fill the free space between the two antennas.
• the shape of these profiles 50 is chosen so as to be inserted between the two antennas, without hindering their movement when adjusting their orientation in azimuth.
• the wall 500 which constitutes the outer wall of the profiles 50 after insertion between the two antennas, has a rounded shape.
• the two-antenna system according to the invention has a substantially continuous outer shape and rounded.
• these profiles 50 again make it possible to reduce the visual impact in the environment of the antenna system according to the invention.
• FIG. 6 shows that the antenna according to the invention makes it possible to produce a system of two antennas without the need for a mast. This is enabled by the presence of stiffening means provided in the antenna itself, stiffening means that make it self-supporting.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a system of three antennas 1 according to the invention.
• the three antennas 1 are placed substantially at 120 ° from each other and sandwiched between connecting means which bear on their end faces 12.
• Each element 6a, 6b of the connecting means has a substantially flat shape and. comprises three branches 60, 61 and 62 substantially at 120 ° to each other. On each branch 60, 61 and 62, there are two openings facing each other 600, 610 and 620. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, these openings have an oblong shape corresponding to that of the antenna 1, in order to allow the adjustment of the antennas in azimuth. Furthermore, each element of the connecting means comprises a central opening 6 intended in particular for the passage of cables.
• the three antennas 1 are mounted in such a way that an antenna is connected between two branches of the connecting element 6b.
• connection between an antenna and the element 6b is carried out by means of the projecting elements carried by each antenna, openings provided in each branch of the connecting element and means of Retention 17, similar to those previously illustrated.
• the connecting elements 6b are, again, mechanically connected to the stiffening means.
• the mounting of the antennas 1 on the connecting element 6a is performed in the same way as for the element 6b.
• the system of three antennas according to the invention comprises only three antennas and connecting means for their assembly, the holding of the system being provided by the stiffening means provided in each antenna.
• Figure 7 illustrates how the antennas can be set in azimuth independently of one another.
• FIG. 7 illustrates three half-lines ⁇ 1, ⁇ 2, ⁇ 3 each corresponding to an axis of symmetry between two branches of the connecting element 6b.
• the half-lines ⁇ 1, ⁇ 2, respectively ⁇ 3 are the axes of symmetry of the branches 60 and 61, 60 and 62, respectively 61 and 62 of the fixing element 6b.
• FIG. 7 shows that the azimuth adjustment of one of the antennas 1 leads to the positioning thereof so that its axis of symmetry coincides with the half-line ⁇ 2.
• the orientation of the other two antennas leads to shift their axis of symmetry by an angle ⁇ relative to the axes of symmetry ⁇ 1, respectively ⁇ 3.
• FIG. 7 is only an example of the relative positioning of the three antennas resulting from their azimuth orientation. Other relative positions of the antennas of the system illustrated in FIG. 7 can be envisaged, depending on the environment in which the antenna system is installed.
• FIG. 8 illustrates another antenna system according to the invention.
• this antenna system comprises three groups 80, 81 and 82, each comprising at least two antennas.
• all the antennas are antennas according to the invention. They are therefore self-supporting and the antenna system shown has no mast.
• Reference 84 designates a service chest disposed at the bottom of the antenna system. This box 84 is used both to place cables for example and to elevate the antenna system, if this is necessary in view of the environment in which it is placed, this antenna system comprises groups of antennas. different antennas, each of them dedicated to a particular technology.
• Figure 8 shows that an antenna system according to the invention is scalable and can be modified over time to add an additional antenna group.
• Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the region between the two groups of antennas 80 and 81 shown in Fig. 8.
• the assembly of the antennas illustrated in FIG. 8 is carried out as follows. First, the group of antennas 80 is assembled thanks to the connecting means 80a and 80b, as has been previously described, in particular with regard to FIG. 7.
• the connecting elements are in the form of a disk and have openings 800 for azimuth adjustment of the antennas, independently of one another.
• a second group of antennas 81 is mounted on the first.
• interconnection means 85 are placed between the upper link element 80b of the first group 80 and the lower link element 81a of the second group of antennas 81. They are provided to allow access to the elements of restraint and therefore the setting of the antennas in azimuth. Moreover, they make it possible to adjust the relative positioning of two groups of antennas.
• the second group of antennas 81 is then mounted, enclosing the three antennas between the connecting elements 81a and 81b.
• the connecting elements 81a and 81b also have openings 810, through which the antennas can be oriented in azimuth, as shown in FIG. 9.
• a third group of antennas is mounted on the second group 81, by previously placing an interconnection element 86 between the connection elements 81b and 82a.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the antenna system illustrated in FIG. 8.
• Figure 10 is a sectional view showing the three antennas 1 and the lower connecting member 80a.
• the reference 820 designates a cavity made in the connecting element 80a for the passage of cables. It will be understood that the upper connecting element 80b also has such a cavity around which the connection element 85 will be arranged.
• Figure 10 shows that between each antenna 1 is provided a profile 9.
• the shape of the profiles 9 is designed not to interfere with the azimuth adjustment of the antennas. It has a length that can be much greater than the height of the antennas and contributes to strengthening the mechanical strength of the group of antennas 80.
• profiles 9 may be useful in an antenna system such as that illustrated in Figure 8, comprising several groups of antennas and therefore having a large overall height. Such profiles may also be provided in the other groups of antennas 81 and 82.
• FIG. 11 and 12 illustrate an alternative embodiment of Figure 7. It is again a set of three antennas 1 which are mounted on a mast 2, substantially 120 ° (b) l one of the other.
• the set of antennas differs from that illustrated in Figure 7, in that the connecting element is segmented.
• the connecting element is here composed of three elements 7b separated from each other.
• each of these elements 7b corresponds to an element 3a illustrated in Figure 3. They will therefore not be described in more detail.
• each antenna 1 on a mast, thanks to a connecting element 7b and through the connecting elements 15 and retaining means
• This embodiment of the connecting elements is used when a set of antennas according to the invention is to be mounted on an existing mast. Indeed, in this situation, it is difficult to insert a single element, such as the element 6b, on a mast already installed. It is then preferable to proceed with the individual assembly of three segmented elements 7b.

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• 2008
  • 2008-06-02 FR FR0803038A patent/FR2932016B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2009
  • 2009-05-29 WO PCT/FR2009/000629 patent/WO2009156612A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2009-05-29 EP EP09769453A patent/EP2289124A2/de not_active Withdrawn

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