EP4238181A1

EP4238181A1 - A radio equipment housing for electronic communications apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4238181A1
Application number: EP21790229.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ashley SMATT; Ben BLOOMFIELD; Philip Sheppard
Original assignee: Communications Research and IP Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Communications Research and IP Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-02
Filing date: 2021-10-11
Publication date: 2023-09-06
Also published as: AU2021368495A1; GB2594539A; WO2022090680A1; GB2594539B; GB202017366D0

Abstract

A radio equipment housing for electronics communications apparatuses comprising: one or more wall portions, at least one of the one or more wall portions comprising an entryway for ingress of an operator; a closure, wherein the closure is sized and arranged to be closable over the entryway; and, a roof portion arranged to close over the one or more wall portions, wherein the roof portion is shaped to receive an antenna arrangement therewithin, wherein the one or more wall portions, the closure, when closed over the entryway, and the roof portion are arranged together to provide an enclosure, and wherein the roof portion is radiotransparent.

Description

A RADIO EQUIPMENT HOUSING FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS

Background to the Invention

Modern-day society expects to have reliable wireless communication and high-speed data connectivity on demand. This increased demand brings with it a need for increased numbers of coupled antennas, radio units and baseband units along with demand for more effective and efficiently deployable solutions.

One source of complexity for telecommunications operators in bringing connectivity to the public is that many countries have strict regulations on the heights and positions at which antennas can be mounted. Antennas are often mounted externally to existing street furniture, such as to street lamps, telephone posts, bus shelters or buildings. To facilitate such external mountings, the equipment needs to be small and light weight and so typical installations support just one spectrum band for a single operator.

Obtaining planning permission to install housings to contain radio units and baseband units that provide for communicative links between the antennas and the telecommunications infrastructure is not trivial. It is both expensive and time-consuming, particularly for the number of radio units and associated apparatuses which are needed in an urban environment. Nevertheless, closed cabinets are commonplace on the side of streets, and these contain the required baseband units for coupling to an externally mounted antenna array. The prevalence of these small cabinet-style structures, separate radio gear and antennas is partly because in certain countries, such as in England, legislation exists which allows for the installation of such units if they meet particular guidelines. In the UK, for example, Electronic Communications Code Powers provide statutory entitlements for specified telecoms operators to have the right to install, maintain, adjust, repair or alter their equipment on public and private land, and the qualifying equipment is exempt from the usual planning restrictions governed by local authorities thereby assisting to facilitate more rapid and cost effective deployment of this important infrastructure.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a radio equipment housing for electronics communications apparatuses comprising: one or more wall portions, at least one of the one or more wall portions comprising an entryway for ingress of an operator; a closure, wherein the closure is sized and arranged to be closable over the entryway; and, a roof portion arranged to close over the one or more wall portions, wherein the roof portion is shaped to receive an antenna arrangement therewithin, wherein the one or more wall portions, the closure, when closed over the entryway, and the roof portion are arranged together to provide an enclosure, and, wherein the roof portion is radiotransparent.

In one or more embodiments, the radio equipment housing may further comprise bracketing configured to receive a plurality of electronics communications apparatuses therein, wherein the electronics communications apparatuses are selected from a list including: one or more power units; one or more baseband units; one or more radio units; one or more servers one or more transmission units one or more network switching or network routing equipment; and, one or more antennas.

In one or more embodiments, the enclosure may be sized to receive the plurality of electronics communications apparatuses and an operator therewithin.

In one or more embodiments, the radio equipment housing may have a maximum volume of substantially 2.5 cubic metres and a maximum cross-sectional footprint of substantially 1 .5 square metres.

In one or more embodiments, the roof portion may be radiotransparent to frequencies up to at least 6 GHz, and preferably up to at least 40 GHz.

In one or more embodiments, at least one of the one or more wall portions may be radiotransparent.

In one or more embodiments, at least one of the one or more wall portions may comprise a window portion that is transparent to visible light, wherein the window portion is preferably a glass window portion. in one or more embodiments, the roof portion may comprise a pitched portion that siopes from a first height to a second height, wherein the second height is iower than the first height. in one or more embodiments, the one or more wali portions and the roof portion may comprise one or more connectors for removabiy coupling the roof portion to the one or more wail portions.

In one or more embodiments, when the closure is closed over the entryway, the enclosure may be configured to be sealed or otherwise protected from the ingress of water and dust.

In one or more embodiments, the radio equipment housing may comprise one or more fibre transmission units. in one or more embodiments, the radio equipment housing may be installed on a plinth to which the one or more wail portions are affixed, preferably at ground level. in one or more embodiments, the closure may be configured to move between an open position and a closed position by a closure mechanism and wherein the closure mechanism is configured such that the closure is substantially parallel when in the open position to the closure when in the closed position.

In one or more embodiments, the radio equipment housing may be Electronic Communications Code Powers compliant.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a radio equipment housing for housing network telecommunications apparatuses, comprising: one or more wall portions forming a main enclosure, at least one of the one or more wall portions of the main enclosure comprising an entryway for ingress of an operator; and, a roof portion arranged to close over the main enclosure, wherein the main enclosure houses a plurality of electronics communications apparatuses therein, comprising at least one fibre transmission unit and at least one radio unit and wherein the roof portion houses at least one antenna arrangement connected to the electronics communications apparatuses of the main enclosure. Brief Description of the Drawings

One or more embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an example embodiment of a radio equipment housing;

Figure 2 shows an example embodiment of a radio equipment housing having first and second closures in open positions;

Figure 3 shows a top view of an example embodiment of a radio equipment housing; and,

Figure 4 shows an antenna arrangement within the roof portion of a radio equipment housing.

Detailed Description

In the present disclosure, there is provided a radio equipment housing that integrates a piuraiity of eiectronic communications apparatuses into a single unit. This housing abandons the traditional and accepted approach of using externally mounted antennas coupled to small cabinets which can, together, often only supply a single network operator. Instead, the radio equipment housing disclosed herein provides a single integrated and purpose-built solution which may form a visually appealing piece of street furniture. In this way, several advantages can be realised including, but not limited to, allowing for the use of larger or more numerous antennas; allowing multi-tenancy for service providers in a single street-level housing; and providing space for an operator inside the housing to perform necessary operation or maintenance. Overall, the housing enables network operators to deliver higher capacity and performance 4G and 5G cells than would have been possible using traditional approaches.

Street furniture refers to a collection of items which are found in the streets and squares of urban and rural environments alike. In general, street furniture may include lampposts, telephone masts, phone boxes, public bins, fountains, memorials, bollards and the like. As such, it will be appreciated that the radio equipment housing of the present application may be a street furniture designed and configured to be implemented in outdoor areas in the vicinity of public foot traffic. This does not preclude the radio equipment housing from being installed in indoor spaces, however, such as in the thoroughfares of shopping malls or indoor markets, for example. This also does not preclude the radio equipment housing from being installed in areas with low footfall, such as on private property or restricted access areas. Figure 1 shows an example embodiment of a radio equipment housing 100. The radio equipment housing 100 comprises one or more wall portions 101 and, in the example of figure 1 , the radio equipment housing 100 comprises four wall portions 101 which together define a main enclosure of the housing 100. It will be appreciated that a single wail portion

101 may be provided where the housing 100 is substantially cylindrical, for example, and that otherwise shaped volumes may be used. The wail portions 101 may be made of any suitable material, where a suitable material may be resistant to the effects of weather and resilient to physical impact. This may provide for a radio equipment housing 100 which is robust against the conditions and it may encounter when installed in an urban area. For example, the wall portions 101 may be formed of glass or fibreglass. Glass may be particularly advantageous, as glass can be easy to clean, impact-resistant, sound dampening, provide for improved safety and provide for enhanced aesthetics compared to other materials.

One or more of the wall portions 101 may comprise a window portion (not shown) at least partially formed of a material that is transparent to visible light. In some examples, the window portion may be a glass window portion and the rest of the wail portion may be formed of a non-glass material.

The radio equipment housing 100 further comprises a roof portion 102. The roof portion

102 may be shaped to receive an antenna arrangement therewithin. The roof portion 102 may comprise a pitched portion 103 that slopes from a first height to a second height, wherein the second height is lowerthan the first height. By providing for an at least partially pitched roof, the roof portion 102 may be shaped around the antenna arrangement to minimise excess volume of the housing 100 as a whole. This may be particularly beneficial in territories where regulatory constraints define the maximum volume allowable for radio equipment housings. The roof portion 102 may comprise a single pitched roof, a double pitched roof, a pyramid roof or any other suitable pitching such that it is shaped to accommodate the antenna arrangement.

The roof portion 102 may be removably couplable to the main enclosure formed by the one or more wall portions 101. In order to achieve this, one or more of the roof portion 102 and the one or more wall portions 101 may comprise one or more connectors that allow the roof portion 102 to be secured over the main enclosure. By providing for a removable roof portion 102, the antenna arrangement may be more easily serviced and even replaced entirely. In the case that the optimum antenna design changes, which necessitates a change in the arrangement of one or more antennas in the antenna arrangement, the roof portion 102 can be replaced with a new design in order to best house the antenna arrangement. For example, a year or more after the installation of the radio equipment housing 100, it may be necessary to replace the antenna arrangement with a new design such that a single pitched roof portion 102 would no longer house the antenna arrangement. In this instance, it would be possible, for example, to replace the roof portion 102 with a pyramid shaped roof portion instead. This may reduce the waste that might otherwise be incurred if the entire radio equipment housing 100 would otherwise need to be replaced.

The roof portion 102 may be formed of a radiotransparent material such that the operation of an antenna arrangement stored therewithin is not inhibited beyond acceptable levels. For example, the roof portion 102 may be at least partially formed of fibreglass or glass reinforced plastic (GRP). Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more of the wall portions 101 may be radiotransparent. The acceptable levels for attenuation of electromagnetic waves and the term radiotransparent is well understood in the art. Particularly, the roof portion and one or more of the wall portions 101 may be radiotransparent to frequencies up to at least 6 GHz. In some embodiments, the roof portion 102 and, optionally, one or more wall portions 101 may be radio transparent to frequencies up to at least 40 GHz. In some embodiments, the roof portion 102 and, optionally, one or more wall portions 101 may be radio transparent to frequencies in the range of substantially 1.8 GHz to 6 GHz. More particularly, the roof portion 102 and one or more of the wall portions 101 may be radio transparent to frequencies in the range of substantially 1.8 GHz to 3.8 GHz.

The radio equipment housing 100 as a whole may have a maximum volume defined by local regulations, such as national, state, county or city regulations. In some examples, such as under the Electronic Communications Code Powers in the UK, the maximum volume may be 2.5 cubic metres. Even without considering local regulations, a maximum volume of substantially 2.5 cubic metres may provide for a compact radio equipment housing 100 which is sufficiently large to have installed therewithin a plurality of electronics communications apparatuses including the antenna arrangement, a fibre transmission unit and at least one radio unit while still providing sufficient volume within the enclosure to receive an operator therewithin. When an operator is working within the main enclosure, the housing 100 may provide a degree of shelter to that operator both for the purposes of privacy and in terms of protection from the weather. It will be appreciated that the operator may be an engineer or other authorised person, but would not be the general public. It will be appreciated that the term enclosure is used to refer to the volume of the whole radio equipment housing 100 that is defined at least by the wall potions 101 (otherwise referred to herein as the main enclosure) and the volume defined by the roof portion 102. The radio equipment housing 100 may also have a maximum cross-sectional footprint defined by local regulations. In the UK, for example, the maximum cross-sectional footprint is 1 .5 square metres under the Electronic Communications Code Powers.

In preferred embodiments, the radio equipment housing 100 is Electronic Communications Code Powers compliant with respect to the dimensions of the radio equipment housing, the contents of the housing, the presentation of the facades of the housing and in any other way according to the Electronic Communications Code Powers.

The dimensions of the radio equipment housing 100 may be such that one or more antennas of the antenna arrangement are positioned such that the base of the antenna is at least substantially 2 metres from the ground. In other examples, the one or more antennas of the antenna arrangement may be positioned at substantially 2.2 metres or substantially 2.5 metres from the ground. These positions can simplify planning for radiation safety limits and installation of small cells (e.g. se IEC 62232 Ed. 2.0)lt will be appreciated herein that “from the ground” refers to the height of the one or more antennas from the ground on which the radio equipment housing 100 is installed or substantially from the base of the radio equipment housing 100.

Figure 2 shows an example embodiment of the radio equipment housing 100 having open front and rear closures 104A, 104B, either of which may be referred to generally as a closure 104, and having the roof portion 102 removed to show the antenna arrangement 105 therewithin. The enclosure comprises at least one closure 104 and may comprise a second or more closures 104. The or each closure 104 is sized and arranged to close over a respective entryway 106 into the housing and to be openable so as to provide for the ingress of an operator. In some embodiments, only one of the closures 104 may provide for the ingress of an operator such that they can substantially stand within the main enclosure. It will be appreciated that the space may be sufficient for the operator to stand fully within the main enclosure and close the closure 104 behind them. In other embodiments, the space may be sufficient for the operator to be only partially received within the main enclosure when standing, but such that they are still substantially protected from the weather and given privacy to operate.

The radio equipment housing 100 may further comprise an extendible rain shield (not shown) which is configured to be extended outward from the entryway 106 in order to provide protection from rain to an operator standing partly in the entryway 106. The rain shield may be a simple flat or curved sheet of material that can be extended by the operator or which may be configured to extend automatically on opening of the closure 104.

The closure 104 may be formed of the same material as one or more of the one or more wall portions 101 or it may be formed of a different material. A single closure 104 may take up a large portion of one side of the housing 100 such that the wall portion 101 on that side may only provide a narrow frame around the closure 104. The closure 104 may also be lockable such that entry is restricted only to those with an appropriate authentication device, thereby making the overall housing a secure radio equipment housing 100. An authentication device may be, for example, a key, a passcode, an ID card, a key fob or an electronic device such as a mobile phone configured to provide for authentication.

The radio equipment housing 100 may comprise plurality of closures 104 on different sides of the housing 100 In some embodiments, for example, the housing 100 may comprise a front closure 104A on a first side of the housing and a second closure 104B on an opposing side of the housing, such as the housing showed in Figure 2. This configuration may provide for access to different network telecommunications equipment stored within the housing 100. In embodiments where there are two or more closures 104 and corresponding entryways 106, there may only be space within the main enclosure for an operator to stand fully or partially within the enclosure via one of the entryways 106. The space at a second entryway may be more restricted and may require an operator to stand outside of the radio equipment housing 100. In some embodiments, a rain shield may be provided at both entryways or only at the entryway where entry is not possible for the operator.

Moving briefly to Figure 3, the closure 104 may be attached to the radio equipment housing 100 by way of a closure mechanism 107. The closure mechanism 107 may be configured such that the closure 104 is substantially parallel when in an open position, as shown in figure 3, to the closure when in a closed position, such as shown in Figure 1. Where the radio equipment housing 100 is installed on a thoroughfare, the closure mechanism 107 may reduce the degree to which the closure 104 opens directly into the thoroughfare compared to a standard hinged door. The closure mechanism 107 may comprise a top entryway rail (not shown) located at the top of the entryway 106 and a bottom entryway rail 110 located at the bottom of the entryway 106. The closure mechanism 107 further comprises a first top connecting member 111 and a first bottom connecting member 112 wherein the first top connecting member 111 and the first bottom connecting member 112 are slidably and pivotably coupled to the top entryway rail and the bottom entryway rail 110 respectively at respective first ends. A second end, distal from the first end, of the first top connecting member 111 and a second end, distal from the first end, of the first bottom connecting member 112 are pivotably attached to an inner surface of the closure 104 at the respective top and bottom of the closure 104. The closure mechanism 107 further comprises a second top connecting member 113 and a second bottom connecting member 114. The second top connecting member 113 and the second bottom connecting member 114 may be pivotably connected, at respective first ends, toward the top and bottom, respectively, of one of the wall portions 101 of the radio equipment housing 100. Alternatively, the respective first ends of the second top connecting member 113 and the second bottom connecting member 114 may be coupled to an upper panel and a lower panel within the main enclosure. The closure 104 may further comprise a top closure rail (not shown) located toward the top of the closure and a bottom closure rail (not shown) located toward the bottom of the closure. A second end, distal from the first end, of the second top connecting member 113 and a second end, distal from the first end, of the second bottom connecting member 114 may be slidably and pivotably coupled to the top closure rail and the bottom closure rail 110, respectively. Moving the closure 104 from the closed position to the open position causes the connecting portions 111 , 112, 113, 114 to slide along the rails 110 and pivot such that the closure 104 is substantially parallel when in the open position to the closure 104 when in the closed position.

It will be appreciated that pivotable connection refers to the ability to rotate about a fixed point, wherein the fixed point may be a point of connection between the end of the pivoting connecting member and the rail to which that end is coupled. Alternatively, the fixed point may be a point of connection fixedly attached to one of the wall portions 101 , an upper panel, a lower panel or the closure 104. It will further be appreciated that a slidable connection refers to the ability of a connecting member 111 , 112, 113, 114 to move linearly along a rail 110. A pivotable and slidable connection provides one wherein a connecting member 111 , 112, 113, 114 is configured to slide along a rail 110 and pivot about the connecting member’s 111 , 112, 113, 114 connection to the rail 110.

The radio equipment housing 100 may further comprise an obscuring screen 115 wherein the obscuring screen 115 is arranged inwardly of the closure 104 (into the main enclosure) such that, when in a closed position, the obscuring screen 115 is arranged behind the closure 104 in order to obscure view of the contents of the radio equipment housing 100 from the outside. This is of the most utility in the case where the closure 104 is at least partially transparent to visible light. The obscuring screen 115 may be configured to move into an open position to aliow for access to the main enclosure to an operator. The obscuring screen 115 may comprise two or more panels coupled together by one or more hinges such that the obscuring screen 115 may be opened in a bifolding arrangement. This may restrict the amount that the obscuring screen 115 protrudes into any thoroughfare on which the radio equipment housing 100 is deployed. In addition to obscuring the contents of the housing 100, the obscuring screen 115 may also provide for enhanced security, by providing another barrier through which potential vandals must overcome to reach the contents.

When the or more closures 104 are closed over their corresponding one or more entryways 106, the radio equipment housing 100 may be configured to be protected from the ingress of dust and water. For example, when all closures 104 are closed, the housing 100 may be configured to have an enclosure rating of IP55 or IP65 according to the ingress protection (IP) code. The protection against ingress may be provided by suitable seals at joints and around the closures 104. Providing for ingress protection may improve the weather resistance of the radio equipment housing 100 and may also improve the overall operation of the electronics communications apparatuses stored therein by preventing layers of dust accumulating and leading to damaged components. The obscuring screen

115 may be configured to provide for an additional seal to increase the ingress protection of the housing 100.

One or more of the roof portion 102 and wall portions 101 may comprise ventilation vents

116 to allow for cooling of the main enclosure or the volume defined by the roof portion 102. The ventilation vents 116 may comprise filters to maintain protection against the ingress of dust and water. The ventilation ports 116 may also comprise fans to encourage the flow of airflow through or out of the radio equipment housing 100.

Returning to Figure 2, the radio equipment housing 100 may comprise bracketing 117 configured to receive a plurality of electronics communications apparatuses therein. By way of example only, the bracketing 117 may be built into standard 48.26 cm (19 inch) or 53.34 cm (21 inch) racks. Bracketing 117 of other sizes may be used. Separate bracketing

117 may be provided for certain electronics communications apparatuses, such as the antenna or transmission ports. It will be appreciated that bracketing 117 herein refers to any physical structuring within the housing 100 which is suitable for receiving and supporting electronics communications apparatus. The bracketing 117 or one or more portions of the bracketing 117 may be lockable such that electronics communications apparatuses from a plurality of different network operators may be separately secured. This may allow for a secure overall housing 100 which a given operator only has access to their corresponding electronics communications apparatuses.

The electronics communications apparatuses referred to herein may comprise any of the components necessary to provide for telecommunications services in the radio equipment housing 100. For example, electronics communications apparatuses may include any of: power units; fibre transmission units; fibre transmission ports; baseband units 120; radio units 121 ; servers 122; CCTV devices 123; network switching or network routing equipment; and antennas 124 of an antenna arrangement 105. The bracketing 117 may be configured to receive at least one of any of the listed electronics communications apparatuses, at least in part. For example, the bracketing 117 may be configured to receive a plurality of baseband units 120 and a plurality of radio units 120. Providing at least a plurality of radio units 121 and baseband units 120, for example, may allow for a plurality of service providers to keep equipment within the radio equipment housing 100.

A power unit may comprise any components required to provide for power to the other electronics communications apparatuses within the radio equipment housing 100. For example, a power unit may comprise a port for connecting to a mains supply; a DNO cutout, a DNO meter, an isolator, a power supply unit (PSU) etc. A power unit may further comprise one or more battery packs, such as UPS (uninterruptible power supply) battery packs configured to provide power to the other electronic components within the radio equipment housing 100 in the situation that mains power is lost.

A radio unit 121 may be configured to process received by and transmitted from the one or more antennas 124 of the antenna arrangement 105. The radio unit 121 may be a standard radio unit, a remote radio unit (RRU), a micro remote radio unit (mRRU) or a micro remote radio head (mRRH).

A server 122 may be any suitable computing device which may be coupled to, or independent from, the transmission services and/or the baseband unit 120 and/or the radio unit 121 and capable of providing for the processing of information. The provision of one or more servers 122 may provide for a reduction in the latency in certain processes for computing devices in communication with the electronics communications apparatuses of the radio equipment housing 100. One or more servers may be edge servers. A closed-circuit television (CCTV) device 123 may be any device which provides for video monitoring of the interior of the radio equipment housing 100 or its immediate vicinity. One or more CCTV devices 123 may be provided as a security measure to record incidents.

The radio equipment housing 100 may comprise one or more fibre transmission units. A fibre transmission unit may be configured to connect to copper or fibre lines and transmit signal therethrough. The fibre transmission unit may transmit optical laser signals down the fibre and may be built into a baseband unit. The radio equipment housing 100 may comprise one or more fibre transmission ports which may provide for connection to a regional or national fibre internet infrastructure. Coupled to the fibre transmission port may be a fibre splicing or fibre distribution device. The fibre transmission port and related hardware may provide for fibre coupling of the one or more fibre transmission units.

Network switching or network, routing equipment may be configured to provide for appropriate routing to or switching between different networks for the provision of information thereto or therefrom. Network switching or network routing equipment may be incorporated into a baseband unit or may be provided separately from it.

Figure 4 shows a close-up of an example embodiment of an antenna arrangement 105 comprising a plurality of antennas 124. In the antenna arrangement 105 of figure 3, each antenna 124 of the plurality of antennas 124 is arranged in a different vertical position on a tiered mounting framework 125. Each antenna 124 on each tier of the antenna arrangement 105 is also arranged at a different horizontal offset to the other antennas 124 in the plurality of antennas 124. The vertical and horizontal offset may provide for a reduction in the signal interference for one of more of the antennas 124 caused by one or more of the other antennas 124 in the antenna arrangement 105. It will be appreciated that alternative frameworks 125 may be provided for the antenna arrangement 105 because different antennas 124 may be configured to operate with different optimum spacings between the antennas 124. As discussed above, providing for different antenna arrangements 105 by providing different frameworks 125 may result in the provision of differently shaped roof portions 102 to accommodate those antenna arrangements 105 while maintaining the radio equipment housing 100 volume below a predetermined maximum. In order to accommodate a plurality of differently designed antenna arrangements 105, the roof portion may have a modular mounting plate 126 installed therein which is configured to be couplable to a plurality of differently designed frameworks 125 of an antenna arrangement 105. The antennas 124 of the antenna arrangement 105 may be any suitable antennas. For example, suitable antennas based on currently available technology include a WSSP- 65S-R1BV2 antenna, a V65S-C3-1XR antenna, a WSSP-65S-R1B antenna, a WSSP- 360S-F antenna, a SMAX-DMF-43-US-I53 antenna, a CMAX-DMF-43-WI53 antenna, a SENCITY ® Urban 100 antenna, a SENCITY ® Urban 200 antenna or a CommScope 4x4- port Omni small cell antenna.

When installed on-site, the radio equipment housing 100 may comprise a concrete plinth to which the one or more wall portions 101 are affixed. The plinth may be configured to provide for mechanical support of the radio equipment housing 100 to reduce the risk of tipping or moving of the housing 100. The wall portions 101 may be affixed to the concrete plinth via a base portion of the radio equipment housing 100 where the base portion provides for a floor on which other contents of the housing 100 may be placed or installed. It will be appreciated that the plinth may be coupled to the rest of the radio equipment housing 100 at the point of installation on site and, as such, may not be found on preinstalled housings 100.

The radio equipment housing 100 may comprise one or more ambient condition sensors configured to monitor the ambient conditions of the main enclosure, the roof portion 102 or both. For example, the radio equipment housing 100 may comprise one or more temperature sensors, humidity sensors, air pressure sensors, etc. By providing for the ambient condition sensors, an alert may be provided to a control server remote from the radio equipment housing 100 if one or more sensed parameters exceed acceptable levels. This may allow an operator to be informed about the conditions within the housing 100 so that conditions which may impact the functionality of the electronics communications apparatuses can be rectified before significant or prolonged reduction in network service can be avoided. In one or more embodiments, the radio equipment housing 100 may further comprise one or more ambient conditions control devices which may provide for, for example, heating, cooling, humidifying or dehumidifying of the main enclosure or roof portion 102. In addition to, or instead of, providing signalling to a control server, the ambient conditions control devices may be configured to operate in response to signalling from the one or more ambient condition sensors indicative that one or more parameters have exceeded predetermined allowable limits. For example, the provision of cooling may be increased in response to signalling indicative that the temperature within the housing 100 is above an acceptable level. This may provide for the maintenance operation during sub-optimal external environmental conditions.

Claims

1. A radio equipment housing for electronics communications apparatuses comprising: one or more wall portions, at least one of the one or more wall portions comprising an entryway for ingress of an operator; a closure, wherein the closure is sized and arranged to be closable over the entryway; and, a roof portion arranged to close over the one or more wall portions, wherein the roof portion is shaped to receive an antenna arrangement therewithin, wherein the dimensions of the radio equipment housing are such that, when received in the roof portion, at least one antenna of the antenna arrangement is positioned such that the base of the antenna is at substantially 2 metres from the ground, wherein the one or more wall portions, the closure, when closed over the entryway, and the roof portion are arranged together to provide an enclosure, wherein the enclosure is sized such that the radio equipment housing has a volume of substantially 2.5 cubic metres and, wherein the roof portion is radiotransparent.

2. The radio equipment housing of claim 1 , further comprising bracketing configured to receive a plurality of electronics communications apparatuses therein, wherein the electronics communications apparatuses are selected from a list including: one or more power units; one or more baseband units; one or more radio units; one or more servers one or more transmission units one or more network switching or network routing equipment; and, one or more antennas.

3. The radio equipment housing of claim 2, wherein the enclosure is sized to receive the plurality of electronics communications apparatuses and an operator therewithin.

4. The radio equipment housing of any preceding claim, wherein the radio equipment housing has a maximum cross-sectional footprint of substantially 1 .5 square metres.

5. The radio equipment housing of any preceding ciaim, wherein the roof portion is radiotransparent to frequencies up to at least 6 GHz, and preferably up to at least 40 GHz.

6. The radio equipment housing of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the one or more wall portions are radiotransparent.

7. The radio equipment housing of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the one or more wall portions comprises a window portion that is transparent to visible light, wherein the window portion is preferably a glass window portion.

8. The radio equipment housing of any preceding claim, wherein the roof portion comprises a pitched portion that slopes from a first height to a second height, wherein the second height is lower than the first height.

9. The radio equipment housing of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more wall portions and the roof portion comprise one or more connectors for removably coupling the roof portion to the one or more wall portions.

10. The radio equipment housing of any preceding claim, wherein when the closure is closed over the entryway, the enclosure is at least partially sealed from the ingress of water and dust.

11 . The radio equipment housing of any preceding claim, comprising one or more fibre transmission units.

12. The radio equipment housing of any preceding claim installed on a plinth to which the one or more wall portions are affixed, preferably at ground level.

13. The radio equipment housing of any preceding claim, wherein the closure is configured to move between an open position and a closed position by a closure mechanism and wherein the closure mechanism is configured such that the closure is substantially parallel when in the open position to the closure when in the closed position.

14. The radio equipment housing of any preceding claim, wherein the radio equipment housing is Electronic Communications Code Powers compliant.

15. A radio equipment housing for housing electronics communications apparatuses, comprising: one or more wall portions forming a main enclosure, at least one of the one or more wall portions of the main enclosure comprising an entryway for ingress of an operator; and, a roof portion arranged to close over the main enclosure, wherein the main enclosure houses a plurality of electronics communications apparatuses therein, comprising at least one fibre transmission unit and at least one radio unit and wherein the roof portion houses at least one antenna arrangement connected to the electronics communications apparatuses of the main enclosure.

16. The radio equipment housing of claim 15, comprising bracketing configured to receive the at least the radio unit, one or more antennas of the antenna arrangement and one or more electronics communications apparatuses selected from the list including; one or more power units; one or more baseband units; one or more additional radio units; one or more servers one or more transmission units one or more network switching or network routing equipment; and, one or more additional antennas.

17. The radio equipment housing of claim 15 or 16, wherein the main enclosure is sized to additionally receive an operator therewithin.

18. The radio equipment housing of any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the radio equipment housing has a maximum volume of substantially 2.5 cubic metres and a maximum cross-sectional footprint of substantially 1.5 square metres.

19. The radio equipment housing of any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the roof portion is radio transparent.

20. The radio equipment housing of claim 19 wherein the roof portion is radio transparent to frequencies up to at least 6 GHz and preferably up to at least 40 GHz.

21. The radio equipment housing of any of claims 15 to 20, wherein at least one of the one or more wall portions comprises a window portion that is transparent to visible light, wherein the window portion is preferably a glass window portion.

22. The radio equipment housing of any of claims 15 to 21 , wherein the roof portion comprises a pitched portion that slopes from a first height to a second height, wherein the second height is lower than the first height.

23. The radio equipment housing of any of claims 15 to 22, wherein the one or more wail portions and the roof portion comprise one or more connectors for removably coupling the roof portion to the one or more wail portions.

24. The radio equipment housing of any of claims 15 to 23, wherein when the closure is closed over the entryway, the radio equipment housing is at least partially sealed from the ingress of water and dust.

25. The radio equipment furniture housing of any of claims 15 to 24, wherein the closure is configured to move between an open position and a closed position by a closure mechanism and wherein the closure mechanism is configured such that the closure is substantially parallel when in the open position to the closure when in the closed position.

26. The radio equipment housing of any of claims 15 to 25, wherein the radio equipment housing is Electronic Communications Code Powers compliant.