US 11,387,612 B2Granted

Cellular base station radio to antenna connection system

AssigneeDISH Wireless L.L.C.

InventorsGreg Ivey, Richard Ripp, Jr., Anand Menon, Jeffrey McSchooler

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Various cellular tower plate connection systems are detailed herein. Such systems can include an antenna plate assembly. This assembly can include an antenna plate and antenna port connectors attached to a first side of the antenna plate. Cable connectors may be present that are attached to a second side of the antenna plate opposite the first side of the antenna plate. The assembly can include a first attachment mechanism that secures antenna port connectors to antenna ports of an antenna system. The antenna port connectors may be arranged on the first side of the antenna plate such that the antenna port connectors mate with the antenna ports of the antenna system in a single possible orientation.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A cellular tower plate connection system, comprising:

an antenna plate assembly comprising:
an antenna plate;
a plurality of antenna port connectors attached to a first side of the antenna plate;
a first plurality of cable connectors attached to a second side of the antenna plate opposite the first side of the antenna plate;
a first attachment mechanism that secures the plurality of antenna port connectors directly to a matching plurality of antenna ports of an antenna system, wherein:
the plurality of antenna port connectors are arranged on the first side of the antenna plate such that the plurality of antenna port connectors mate with the plurality of antenna ports of the antenna system in one particular orientation;
and
a weather seal that is compressed between the antenna plate assembly and the antenna system when the first attachment mechanism secures the plurality of antenna port connectors directly to the matching plurality of antenna ports of the antenna system, wherein the weather seal forms a first barrier around the plurality of antenna port connectors and the plurality of antenna ports;
and
a radio plate assembly comprising:
a radio plate;
a plurality of radio port connectors attached to a first side of the radio plate;
a second plurality of cable connectors attached to a second side of the radio plate opposite the first side of the radio plate;
and
a second attachment mechanism that secures the plurality of radio port connectors directly to a matching plurality of radio ports of a radio system, wherein:
the plurality of radio port connectors are arranged on the first side of the radio plate such that the plurality of radio port connectors mate with the plurality of radio ports of the radio system in one particular orientation.

13 more elements

A method for using a cellular tower plate connection system, the method comprising:

connecting a plurality of cables to an antenna plate assembly, wherein the antenna plate assembly comprises:
an antenna plate;
a plurality of antenna port connectors attached to a first side of the antenna plate;
a first plurality of cable connectors attached to a second side of the antenna plate opposite the first side of the antenna plate;
and
a first attachment mechanism that secures the plurality of antenna port connectors directly to a matching plurality of antenna ports of an antenna system;
connecting the plurality of cables to a radio plate assembly, wherein the radio plate assembly comprises:
a radio plate;
a plurality of radio port connectors attached to a first side of the radio plate;
a second plurality of cable connectors attached to a second side of the radio plate opposite the first side of the radio plate;
and
a second attachment mechanism that secures the plurality of radio port connectors to a matching plurality of radio ports of a radio system;
after connecting the plurality of cables to the antenna plate assembly, connecting the plurality of antenna port connectors to the matching plurality of antenna ports of the antenna system, wherein:
the plurality of antenna port connectors are arranged on the first side of the antenna plate such that the plurality of antenna port connectors can only be attached with the matching plurality of antenna ports in one particular orientation;
and
a weather seal attached with the antenna plate is compressed between the antenna plate assembly and the antenna system when the plurality of antenna port connectors are connected directly to the matching plurality of antenna ports of the antenna system, wherein the weather seal forms a first barrier around the plurality of antenna port connectors and the plurality of antenna ports.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/801,752Filed 26 Feb 2020
Published: US 2021/0265791 A126 Aug 2021
Granted: 12 Jul 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

H01R 24/52
Specially adapted for high frequency: mounted in or to a panel or structure
H01Q 1/246
Used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM: specially adapted for base stations
H01R 31/06
Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart: intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter
H01R 13/5202
Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases: sealing means between parts of housing or between housing part and a wall,…