System and method of integrating and concealing antennas, antenna subsystems and communications subsystems

A method of concealing a base station radio frequency (RF) antenna and associated antenna components in a modified panel-like component of a common structure comprising the steps of:

• constructing the modified panel-like component from a dielectric material;
• mounting the antenna and the antenna components behind the panel-like component in a position in which the antenna radiates through the dielectric panel-like component and is not visible from in front of the panel-like component;
• and
• substituting the modified panel-like component for a normal component of the common structure.

A method of deploying a plurality of distributed, invisible, cellular base station radio frequency (RF) antennas and antenna subsystems, said method comprising the steps of:

• concealing each antenna in a common structural object having a geographic location and sufficient vertical height for the antenna to provide RF coverage of a desired area;
• electronically connecting each antenna to an associated antenna subsystem;
• and
• electronically connecting each antenna subsystem to an intelligent controller that manipulates the RF coverage area of the plurality of antennas through the associated antenna subsystems.

A radio frequency (RF) antenna concealed in a pole-like object comprising:

• a microstrip feed circuit;
• a first dielectric layer adjacent the microstrip feed circuit;
• a first ground plane having at least one aperture therein adjacent the first dielectric layer and opposite the microstrip feed circuit;
• a second dielectric layer adjacent the first ground plane and opposite the first dielectric layer;
• a first layer of microstrip radiating elements adjacent the second dielectric layer and opposite the first ground plane, the microstrip radiating elements being energized by an electromagnetic field generated by the microstrip feed circuit and passing through the apertures in the first ground plane;
• a third dielectric layer adjacent the first layer of microstrip radiating elements and opposite the second dielectric layer;
• a second layer of microstrip radiating elements adjacent the third dielectric layer and opposite the first layer of microstrip radiating elements, the radiating elements in the second layer being energized by an electromagnetic field generated by the feed circuit and passing through the apertures in the first ground plane, and each element in the second layer being rotated 90 degrees in the plane of the layer from the orientation of the elements in the first layer of radiating elements;
• and
• a dielectric lens layer adjacent the second layer of microstrip radiating elements and opposite the third dielectric layer.

A radio frequency (RF) antenna suitable for concealing in a pole-like object comprising:

• a first ground plane formed as a tube to fit within the pole-like object;
• a first concentric dielectric layer adjacent the first ground plane;
• a concentric stripline feed circuit adjacent the first dielectric layer and opposite the first ground plane;
• a second concentric dielectric layer adjacent the stripline feed circuit and opposite the first dielectric layer;
• a second concentric ground plane having at least one aperture therein adjacent the second dielectric layer and opposite the stripline feed circuit;
• a third concentric dielectric layer adjacent the outer ground plane and opposite the second dielectric layer;
• and
• a first concentric layer of radiating elements adjacent the third dielectric layer and opposite the second ground plane, the radiating elements being energized by an electromagnetic field generated by the stripline feed circuit and passing through the apertures in the second ground plane.