Abstract: Base station antennas a reflector, an RF port, an array of radiating elements, where each radiating element is mounted to extend forwardly from the reflector and mechanically uptilted with respect to the reflector, and a feed network coupled between the RF port and the array of radiating elements. The feed network includes a plurality of delay elements that are configured to impart a fixed electronic downtilt to a radiation pattern generated by the array of radiating elements in response to an RF signal input at the RF port.

Abstract: An antenna with adjustable tilt angle includes: a mounting structure; an antenna mount fixed to the mounting structure; an antenna mounted to the antenna mount, the antenna configured to produce an antenna beam; a remote electrical tilt (RET) unit operatively associated with the antenna to adjust a pointing tilt angle of the antenna beam; a tilt pointing direction sensor mounted to the antenna, the pointing direction tilt sensor configured to detect the a pointing angle of the antenna relative to a baseline standard; and a controller operatively connected with the RET unit and the pointing direction tilt sensor, the controller configured to receive signals from the pointing direction tilt sensor and transmit signals to the RET unit to adjust the tilt pointing angle of the antenna beam based on the detected angle of the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna with adjustable tilt angle includes: a mounting structure; an antenna mount fixed to the mounting structure; an antenna mounted to the antenna mount, the antenna configured to produce an antenna beam; a remote electrical tilt (RET) unit operatively associated with the antenna to adjust a pointing tilt angle of the antenna beam; a tilt pointing direction sensor mounted to the antenna, the pointing direction tilt sensor configured to detect the a pointing angle of the antenna relative to a baseline standard; and a controller operatively connected with the RET unit and the pointing direction tilt sensor, the controller configured to receive signals from the pointing direction tilt sensor and transmit signals to the RET unit to adjust the tilt pointing angle of the antenna beam based on the detected angle of the antenna.

Abstract: For wireless cellular communications, a “smart” multi-band combiner system has a multi-band combiner and a passive inter-modulation (PIM) detection sub-system. The multi-band combiner combines multiple transmit signals in different downlink frequency bands into a single, multi-band transmit signal for transmission from a cell tower antenna. The PIM detection sub-system characterizes the frequency components in the multi-band transmit signal to predict PIM products and determine if any predicted PIM products might interfere with any receive signals in any uplink frequency bands. If so, the PIM detection sub-system generates a signal indicating the presence of such predicted interfering PIM products, and the system installer and/or the network administrator can take remedial action to prevent the PIM products from interfering with user communications.

Abstract: For wireless cellular communications, a “smart” multi-band combiner system has a multi-band combiner and a passive inter-modulation (PIM) detection sub-system. The multi-band combiner combines multiple transmit signals in different downlink frequency bands into a single, multi-band transmit signal for transmission from a cell tower antenna. The PIM detection sub-system characterizes the frequency components in the multi-band transmit signal to predict PIM products and determine if any predicted PIM products might interfere with any receive signals in any uplink frequency bands. If so, the PIM detection sub-system generates a signal indicating the presence of such predicted interfering PIM products, and the system installer and/or the network administrator can take remedial action to prevent the PIM products from interfering with user communications.

Abstract: The Invention comprises a method and Interface for powering and controlling an antenna, having an RF signal input, an AISG signal input, including a DC current, wherein the RF signal input is coupled to the antenna by a filter, so the filter blocks a signal with DC current, and the AISG signal is coupled to the antenna through a switch, so that if an AISG signal is present, the switch automatically allows the AISG signal through to the antenna for control of the antenna, and if no AISG signal is present, the RF signal is automatically allowed through to the antenna for control of the antenna.

Abstract: An RF interconnection module includes a housing having a perimeter, a capacitive coupling, and a float gasket disposed about the perimeter of the housing. When the housing is mounted in an opening, the float gasket is positioned between the housing and the opening. The float gasket may be made of an elastomer material and may include a plurality of outwardly extending ribs for movable securing the gasket in the opening. In addition, a mount assembly includes a bracket assembly attachable to a tower-mounted equipment and at least one jumper cable having at least one ohmic connector for connecting to the tower-mounted equipment and at least one capacitive connector. The capacitive connector may comprise an RF interconnection module mounted on the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly may be adjustable to accommodate tower mounted equipment of various sizes.

Abstract: An RF interconnection module includes a housing having a perimeter, a capacitive coupling, and a float gasket disposed about the perimeter of the housing. When the housing is mounted in an opening, the float gasket is positioned between the housing and the opening. The float gasket may be made of an elastomer material and may include a plurality of outwardly extending ribs for movable securing the gasket in the opening. In addition, a mount assembly includes a bracket assembly attachable to a tower-mounted equipment and at least one jumper cable having at least one ohmic connector for connecting to the tower-mounted equipment and at least one capacitive connector. The capacitive connector may comprise an RF interconnection module mounted on the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly may be adjustable to accommodate tower mounted equipment of various sizes.

Abstract: An RF interconnection module includes a housing having a perimeter, a capacitive coupling, and a float gasket disposed about the perimeter of the housing. When the housing is mounted in an opening, the float gasket is positioned between the housing and the opening. The float gasket may be made of an elastomer material and may include a plurality of outwardly extending ribs for movable securing the gasket in the opening. In addition, a mount assembly includes a bracket assembly attachable to a tower-mounted equipment and at least one jumper cable having at least one ohmic connector for connecting to the tower-mounted equipment and at least one capacitive connector. The capacitive connector may comprise an RF interconnection module mounted on the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly may be adjustable to accommodate tower mounted equipment of various sizes.

Abstract: A modular wireless communications station includes a standard antenna interface, a wireless communications antenna, and a remote radio head. The standard interface includes an antenna mount for the wireless communications antenna and at least one radio head mount. The radio head mount includes at least one linear guided support structure. The wireless communications antenna includes a bracket configured to engage the antenna mount and at least one RF interconnection module, the wireless communications antenna being mounted on the antenna mount. The remote radio head(s) include a low friction car configured to engage the linear guided support structure of the standard interface and an RF connector configured to engage the RF interconnection module of the antenna. The remote radio head may slide into engagement with the antenna and locked into place.

Abstract: An RF interconnection module includes a housing having a perimeter, a capacitive coupling, and a float gasket disposed about the perimeter of the housing. When the housing is mounted in an opening, the float gasket is positioned between the housing and the opening. The float gasket may be made of an elastomer material and may include a plurality of outwardly extending ribs for movable securing the gasket in the opening. In addition, a mount assembly includes a bracket assembly attachable to a tower-mounted equipment and at least one jumper cable having at least one ohmic connector for connecting to the tower-mounted equipment and at least one capacitive connector. The capacitive connector may comprise an RF interconnection module mounted on the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly may be adjustable to accommodate tower mounted equipment of various sizes.

Abstract: A modular wireless communications station includes a standard antenna interface, a wireless communications antenna, and a remote radio head. The standard interface includes an antenna mount for the wireless communications antenna and at least one radio head mount. The radio head mount includes at least one linear guided support structure. The wireless communications antenna includes a bracket configured to engage the antenna mount and at least one RF interconnection module, the wireless communications antenna being mounted on the antenna mount. The remote radio head(s) include a low friction car configured to engage the linear guided support structure of the standard interface and an RF connector configured to engage the RF interconnection module of the antenna. The remote radio head may slide into engagement with the antenna and locked into place.

Abstract: An antenna system adapted to provide antenna beams having various characteristics, such as various beam widths and/or different orientations, is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna system is adapted to provide forward link signals in wide antenna beams while providing reverse link signals in narrow antenna beams. In the preferred embodiment multiple forward link wide beams are provided to allow uniform radiation of forward link signals throughout a desired area, such as a sector of a cell, while multiple non-overlapping narrow antenna beams are provided in the reverse link. In the preferred embodiment passive or parasitic antenna elements are utilized in the antenna array to provide symmetric current distribution in the antenna array to provide multiple beams having uniform characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are taught whereby amplification of narrowband signals may be accomplished by linear power amplifiers requiring the presence of a communicated broadband signal in order to make internal adjustments necessary for linear operation. A preferred embodiment is described utilizing an input of a distributed amplifier assembly unused by the signals of interest in order to inject an emulated CDMA tone operable as a pilot tone for use by the linear power amplifiers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing calibration of the phase relationships of signals simulcast from a transmission system. In a preferred embodiment, a calibration signal is introduced into the transmission system and provided to various antenna elements. Samples of the calibration signal are taken at a point very near the antenna elements so as to sample phase shifts introduced by the transmission system. The signals of sets of the antenna elements are combined after sampling for transmission down the antenna mast to the active circuitry of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention operates to selectively energize antenna elements of the sets so as to provide a single calibration signal down the combined signal path. Through reference to sampled signals one at a time, the present invention determines a necessary phase adjustment to result in the desired phase relationship of the signals at the antenna elements.