RADIO-FREQUENCY ANTENNA AND CORRESPONDING CONNECTOR ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

 The present invention refers to a radio-frequency antenna (1) comprising:
- at least one radiating element configured for converting electromagnetic waves into electric signal and conversely,
- at least one connector (3) configured for connecting external transmission cables to the at least one radiating element,
- a radome (2) for enclosing and protecting the at least one radiating element wherein the at least one connector (3) are located remotely from the radome (2).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention refers to a radio-frequency antenna. Such antennas are more and more used especially for the development of wireless networks proving telephone or internet connection to wireless user equipments.

[0002] Furthermore, with the development of services such as 4G or 5G technologies, antennas are evolving toward multiband and ultrabroad band products to offer a maximum of flexibility to the operators in terms of deployment and technology.

[0003] A consequence to this development is the increasing complexity of the antenna and the increasing required number of connectors that need to be fit on the antenna. However, the size of the radome (or radar dome) that protects the antenna needs to remain as small as possible for aerodynamic reasons in order to lower the effect of the wind on the antenna as much as possible.

[0004] In order to increase the number of connectors without increasing the size of the radome, a solution of the state of the art is to put some connectors on the sides in a higher position of the radome (instead of putting all the connectors at the bottom of the radome. However, such solution implies a more complicated connection for the operators as well as the structure of the radome to obtain a good waterproofness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention refers to a radio-frequency antenna comprising:

• at least one radiating element configured for converting electromagnetic waves into electric signal and conversely,
• at least one connector configured for connecting external transmission cables to the at least one radiating element,
• a radome for enclosing and protecting the at least one radiating element wherein the at least one connector is located remotely from the radome.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one connector is linked to the radiating element by dedicated cables passing through the bottom of the radome.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, the radio-frequency antenna comprises a support configured for receiving the connectors.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, the support is a linear support.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, the support is a circular support wherein the connectors are distributed around the support.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one connector comprises a dome-shaped cap configured for providing an easier tightening to the support.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, the dome shaped cap comprises an aperture, a dedicated cable being configured for passing through the said aperture.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, the radome and the support comprise fastening means to be fastened to a pole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] 

FIG.1 is a diagram of an antenna according to the present invention,

FIG.2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the connectors of an antenna according to the present invention,

FIG.3 is a perspective view in perspective of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIGS.4 and 5 are perspective views of the connectors of an antenna and a support according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS.6 and 7 are perspective views of the connectors of an antenna and a support according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention refers to a radio-frequency antenna 1 comprising at least one radiating element (not represented) configured for converting electromagnetic waves into electric signal and conversely. The at least one radiating element is enclosed in a radome 2 or radar-dome as represented in fig.1 configured for protecting the radiating elements, notably from the rain. The radome 2 has an elongated shape in order to minimize the wind effects on the antenna 1. In this embodiment, the antenna 1 also comprises a plurality of connectors 3 for connecting the radiating elements to external transmission cables. According to the present invention, the connectors 3 are located outside and remotely from the radome 1. Dedicated cables 5 are used to link the connectors 3 to the radiating elements. The dedicated cables 5 may pass through an aperture 7 located at the bottom of the radome 1 and are for example braided with each others as represented in Fig.2.

[0015] As represented in Fig.3, the connectors 3 may comprise a central cylindrical part 31, a dome-shaped cap 33 on a first side of the central cylindrical part 31 and a connecting plug 35 on the other side of the central cylindrical part 31. The cap 33 is configured for easing the handling of the connector and for enabling an easy tightening of the cap 33 to a support (examples of support will be described in the following of the description). The cap 33 comprises a hole at the top of the dome and the dedicated cable 5 is configured for passing through the said hole. A lateral bump 37 may be disposed on the central cylindrical part 31 to enable the tightening of the connectors 3 on a support.

[0016] Figs.4 and 5 represent a first embodiment of a support 9 configured for receiving the plurality of connectors 3 of the antenna 1. In this first embodiment, the support 9 is a linear plate comprising a plurality of holes 90 distributed along its length and configured for receiving the plurality of connectors 3. The diameter of the holes 90 is slightly larger than the central cylindrical part 31 but smaller than the cap 33 of the connectors 3. The radome 2 and the support 9 may comprise fastening means 11 to be fastened to a pole 13.

[0017] Figs. 6 and 7 represent a second embodiment of a support 9' configured for receiving the plurality of connectors 3 of the antenna 1. In this second embodiment, the support 9' is a circular plate having a collar shape and comprising a plurality of holes 90' distributed around its periphery and configured for receiving the plurality of connectors 3. The diameter of the holes 90' is slightly larger than the central cylindrical part 31 but smaller than the cap 33. The cap 33 of a connector 3 is positioned on the central side of the support 9' so that the dedicated cables 5 can be braided at the center of the support 9' and so that the external transmission cables can be easily plugged all around the support 9'. The radome 2 and the support 9' may comprise fastening means 11 to be fastened to a pole 13.

[0018] Thus, the use of an antenna 1 comprising connectors 3 located remotely from the radome 2 enables increasing the number of connectors 3 without increasing the size of the radome 2 and without reducing the waterproofness of the radome 2 so that the radiating elements are well protected. A high number of connectors 3 enables improving the capacity of the antenna 1 and the implementation of new equipments providing additional services for the network customers.

Claims

1. Radio-frequency antenna (1) comprising:

- at least one radiating element configured for converting electromagnetic waves into electric signal and conversely,

- at least one connector (3) configured for connecting external transmission cables to the at least one radiating element,

- a radome (2) for enclosing and protecting the at least one radiating element wherein the at least one connector (3) is located remotely from the radome (2).

2. Radio-frequency antenna (1) in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one connector (3) is linked to the radiating element by dedicated cables (5) passing through the bottom of the radome (2).

3. Radio-frequency antenna (1) in accordance with claim 1 or 2 comprising a support (9, 9') configured for receiving the connectors (3).

4. Radio-frequency antenna (1) in accordance with claim 3 wherein the support (9, 9') is a linear support (9).

5. Radio-frequency antenna (1) in accordance with claim 3 wherein the support (9, 9') is a circular support wherein the connectors (3) are distributed around the support (9').

6. Radio-frequency antenna (1) in accordance with one of the claims 3 to 5 wherein the at least one connector (3) comprises a dome-shaped cap (33) configured for providing an easier tightening to the support (9, 9').

7. Radio-frequency antenna in accordance with claim 6 wherein the dome shaped cap (33) comprises an aperture, a dedicated cable (5) being configured for passing through the said aperture.

8. Radio-frequency antenna in accordance with one of the claims 3 to 7 wherein the radome (2) and the support (9, 9') comprise fastening means (11) to be fastened to a pole (13).

Drawing