Abstract: Base station antennas include a RET actuator, a plurality of phase shifters and a plurality of mechanical linkages, where each mechanical linkage is connected between the RET actuator and a respective one or more of the phase shifters. The RET actuator includes a drive element, a rotatable element and a mechanical linkage selection system that is configured to move a selected one of the mechanical linkages into engagement with the drive element. The drive element is configured to move linearly in response to rotation of the rotatable element to move the selected one of the mechanical linkages.

Abstract: A phase shifter assembly, suitable for a base station antenna, includes a main printed circuit board with opposing first and second primary sides. The main printed circuit board has a plurality of radio frequency (RF) transmission paths on the first primary side and a plurality of RF transmission paths on the second primary side. The phase shifter assembly also includes a first wiper arm rotatably coupled to the main printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the plurality of transmission paths on the first primary side of the main printed circuit board; and a second wiper arm rotatably coupled to the main printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the plurality of transmission paths on the second primary side of the main printed circuit board. Rearwardly extending phase shifter assemblies that are oriented perpendicular to a plane defined by a reflector within a base station antenna are also provided.

Abstract: A base station antenna includes a radio frequency (RF) lens positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation from a radiating element, the RF lens including an RF energy focusing material and a first heat dissipation channel that extends through the RF energy focusing material of the RF lens and contains a cooling fluid.

Abstract: Base station antennas include a main module that has a first backplane that includes a first reflector. A vertically-extending array of first radiating elements is mounted to extend forwardly from the first reflector, and at least one first RF port is coupled to the vertically-extending array of first radiating elements. These antennas further include a sub-module that is attached to the first backplane. The sub-module includes a second backplane that has a second reflector that is separate from the first reflector. A vertically-extending array of second radiating elements is mounted to extend forwardly from the second reflector and is transversely spaced-apart from the vertically-extending array of first radiating elements. A plurality of second RF ports are coupled to the vertically-extending array of second radiating elements. The vertically-extending array of first radiating elements and the vertically-extending array of second radiating elements are configured to serve a common sector of a base station.

Abstract: A base station antenna (BSA) includes a reflector having a main reflector surface thereon, which extends between first and second sidewalls thereof. First and second choke-within-a-choke assemblies are provided on first and second sides of the reflector, respectively. The first choke-within-a-choke assembly includes: a first relatively low-band choke defined on one side thereof by the first sidewall of the reflector, and a first relatively high-band choke contacting on two sides thereof a rear surface of the reflector and an inner surface of the first sidewall. The second choke-within-a-choke assembly includes: a second relatively low-band choke defined on one side thereof by the second sidewall of the reflector, and a second relatively high-band choke contacting on two sides thereof the rear surface of the reflector and an inner surface of the second sidewall.

Abstract: A reduced wind load antenna includes: a radome having front, rear, and side surfaces; upper and lower end caps attached to upper and lower ends of the radome to define an internal cavity; and radiating elements positioned within the internal cavity and configured to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals. The antenna includes at least one airflow separation delaying feature selected from the group consisting of: large radiused corners on the lower end cap; a domed upper end cap; a domed lower end cap; a plurality of protuberances on the front surface; a plurality of protuberances on each of the side surfaces; spiral ridges on the front surface; and a continuous protuberance on each of the side surfaces.

Abstract: A base station antenna includes an array that has a plurality of sub-arrays, each sub-array including at least one radiating element, wherein a first of the sub-arrays includes a first radiating element that is formed in a flexible substrate that is mounted on a rigid support.

Abstract: A base station antenna assembly that may include a base station antenna having a frame and a radome that covers the frame; and a first radio mounted to a radio support plate on a rear side of the base station antenna. The radio support plate may be configured to attach to the base station antenna by at least one guide rail that cooperates with one or more guide structures of the radio support plate. A rear surface of the radome may include a plurality of access holes, and the base station antenna assembly may include a plurality of connectorized cables soldered to components within an interior of the base station antenna that extend from the interior of the base station antenna through respective ones of the access holes.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a monolithic feedboard assembly for a base station antenna, the method comprises injection molding a unitary frame that includes a feedboard section and at least one radiating element section and then selectively depositing metal on the unitary frame to form radio frequency transmission lines and radiators on the unitary frame to provide the monolithic feedboard assembly.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a monolithic feedboard assembly for a base station antenna, the method comprises injection molding a unitary frame that includes a feedboard section and at least one radiating element section and then selectively depositing metal on the unitary frame to form radio frequency transmission lines and radiators on the unitary frame to provide the monolithic feedboard assembly.

Abstract: Base station antennas include a main module that has a first backplane that includes a first reflector. A vertically-extending array of first radiating elements is mounted to extend forwardly from the first reflector, and at least one first RF port is coupled to the vertically-extending array of first radiating elements. These antennas further include a sub-module that is attached to the first backplane. The sub-module includes a second backplane that has a second reflector that is separate from the first reflector. A vertically-extending array of second radiating elements is mounted to extend forwardly from the second reflector and is transversely spaced-apart from the vertically-extending array of first radiating elements. A plurality of second RF ports are coupled to the vertically-extending array of second radiating elements. The vertically-extending array of first radiating elements and the vertically-extending array of second radiating elements are configured to serve a common sector of a base station.

Abstract: Base station antenna units include a first and second base station antennas that have respective first and second housings. The first housing includes a top end cap and the second housing includes a bottom end cap. A jumper cable that includes a first connector port is mounted in one of the top end cap or the bottom end cap, and a second connector port that is configured to mate with the first connector port is mounted in the other one of the top end cap or the bottom end cap. A longitudinal axis of the first connector port extends in a vertical direction and a longitudinal axis of the second connector port extends in the vertical direction.

Abstract: Base station antennas include a RET actuator, a plurality of phase shifters and a plurality of mechanical linkages, where each mechanical linkage is connected between the RET actuator and a respective one or more of the phase shifters. The RET actuator includes a drive element, a rotatable element and a mechanical linkage selection system that is configured to move a selected one of the mechanical linkages into engagement with the drive element. The drive element is configured to move linearly in response to rotation of the rotatable element to move the selected one of the mechanical linkages.

Abstract: An assembly includes: first and second printed circuit boards (PCBs), the PCBs being disposed generally parallel to each other; a first coaxial connector mounted to the first PCB, the first coaxial connector comprising a first inner contact and a first outer connector body, the first outer connector body having a first thickness; and a second coaxial connector mounted to the second PCB, the second axial connector comprising a second inner contact and a second outer connector body. The second outer connector body includes an engagement surface, the engagement surface being flexible in a direction normal to the second PCB, the engagement surface having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an antenna mount kit. The antenna mount kit includes an antenna mount and a pipe clamp coupled to the antenna mount. The pipe clamp includes a front shell half and a rear shell half, the front shell half and the rear shall half having a front shell half inner surface and a rear shell half inner surface configured to cooperate with each other such that the mounting structure can be secured within the pipe clamp, at least two threaded bolts, a plurality of washers, and a plurality of nuts. The antenna mount kit may further include at least two isolation fasteners. The front shell half inner surface and the rear shell half inner surface each include a plurality of jagged teeth formed of a non-metallic material, at least two front shell bolt apertures through the front shell half, and at least two rear shell half bolt apertures through the rear shell half.

Abstract: Multi-RET actuators include a plurality of shafts that have respective axially-drivable members mounted thereon. Each of axially-drivable member is mechanically linked to a respective one of a plurality of phase shifters. The multi-RET actuator further includes a motor having a drive shaft and a gear system that is configured to selectively couple the motor to the respective shafts. The gear system is configured so that rotation of the drive shaft in a first direction creates a mechanical linkage between the motor and a first of the shafts 1340/1342, and rotation of the drive shaft in a second direction that is opposite the first direction rotates the first of the shafts.

Abstract: Multi-RET actuators include a plurality of shafts that have respective axially-drivable members mounted thereon. Each of axially-drivable member is mechanically linked to a respective one of a plurality of phase shifters. The multi-RET actuator further includes a motor having a drive shaft and a gear system that is configured to selectively couple the motor to the respective shafts. The gear system is configured so that rotation of the drive shaft in a first direction creates a mechanical linkage between the motor and a first of the shafts 1340/1342, and rotation of the drive shaft in a second direction that is opposite the first direction rotates the first of the shafts.

Abstract: Cable connector block assemblies for base station antennas are provided herein. A cable connector block assembly includes a block including a cable retention clip, a first metal piece, and a second metal piece. In some embodiments, the first and second metal pieces are in first and second recesses, respectively, of the block. Moreover, in some embodiments, the cable retention clip, the first metal piece, and the second metal piece are configured to receive different first, second, and third portions, respectively, of a cable.

Abstract: Multi-RET actuators include a plurality of shafts that have respective axially-drivable members mounted thereon. Each of axially-drivable member is mechanically linked to a respective one of a plurality of phase shifters. The multi-RET actuator further includes a motor having a drive shaft and a gear system that is configured to selectively couple the motor to the respective shafts. The gear system is configured so that rotation of the drive shaft in a first direction creates a mechanical linkage between the motor and a first of the shafts 1340/1342, and rotation of the drive shaft in a second direction that is opposite the first direction rotates the first of the shafts.

Abstract: The disclosed translucent or semi-transparent touch screen device includes a mesh composed of a low resistive material and method for forming a touch screen and applying components to the touch screen according to a heat based process. The low resistivity of the mesh beneficially allows pattern traces a small width, and therefore allows more touch zones per specified area than previously available. The disclosed semi-transparent touch screen device may incorporated into a mobile communication device such as a clam shell form factor device with a flip is configured so that an adjacent main display screen is visible through the touch screen device. Input received by the touch screen device is responsive to indicia displayed on the display screen. Since the disclosed touch screen may include many touch zones, beneficially the functionality of the device in the closed position is improved over previous semi-transparent touch screens.