Abstract: Lensed antennas are provided that include a plurality of radiating elements and a lens positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation from at least one of the radiating elements, the lens comprising a composite dielectric material. The composite dielectric material comprises expandable gas-filled microspheres that are mixed with an inert binder, dielectric support materials such as foamed microspheres and particles of conductive material that are mixed together.

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: Aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to a reconfigurable antenna system including a reconfigurable antenna capable of providing various types of radiation patterns without having to be replaced or needing its orientation changed. The reconfigurable antenna may create various types of quasi-omni directional radiation patterns of different shapes depending on the environment.

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: Methods of operating a cellular radio are provided in which a first power supply signal is transmitted from a power supply to a wireless power unit at least in part over a power cable. A second power supply signal is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless power unit to the cellular radio to power the cellular radio. Data is transmitted from a baseband unit that is associated with the cellular radio to a wireless transceiver at least in part over a data cable. This data is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transceiver to the cellular radio. The data is then transmitted through an antenna that is coupled to the cellular radio.

Abstract: Communications plugs are provided which include a printed circuit board having a plurality of elongated conductive traces and a plurality of plug blades. Each plug blade has a first section that extends along a top surface of the printed circuit board and a second section that extends along a front edge of the printed circuit board. Additionally, each plug blade may have a thickness that is at least twice the thickness of the elongated conductive traces. The plug blades may be low profile plug blades that are manufactured separately from the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Lensed antennas are provided that include a plurality of radiating elements and a lens positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation from at least one of the radiating elements, the lens comprising a composite dielectric material. The composite dielectric material comprises expandable gas-filled microspheres that are mixed with an inert binder, dielectric support materials such as foamed microspheres and particles of conductive material that are mixed together.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to a reconfigurable antenna system including a reconfigurable antenna capable of providing various types of radiation patterns without having to be replaced or needing its orientation changed. The reconfigurable antenna may create various types of quasi-omni directional radiation patterns of different shapes depending on the environment.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to a reconfigurable antenna system including a reconfigurable antenna capable of providing various types of radiation patterns without having to be replaced or needing its orientation changed. The reconfigurable antenna may create various types of quasi-omni directional radiation patterns of different shapes depending on the environment.

Abstract: Communications plugs are provided which include a printed circuit board having a plurality of elongated conductive traces and a plurality of plug blades. Each plug blade has a first section that extends along a top surface of the printed circuit board and a second section that extends along a front edge of the printed circuit board. Additionally, each plug blade may have a thickness that is at least twice the thickness of the elongated conductive traces. The plug blades may be low profile plug blades that are manufactured separately from the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Methods of operating a cellular radio are provided in which a first power supply signal is transmitted from a power supply to a wireless power unit at least in part over a power cable. A second power supply signal is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless power unit to the cellular radio to power the cellular radio. Data is transmitted from a baseband unit that is associated with the cellular radio to a wireless transceiver at least in part over a data cable. This data is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transceiver to the cellular radio. The data is then transmitted through an antenna that is coupled to the cellular radio.

Abstract: Communications plugs are provided which include a printed circuit board having a plurality of elongated conductive traces and a plurality of plug blades. Each plug blade has a first section that extends along a top surface of the printed circuit board and a second section that extends along a front edge of the printed circuit board. Additionally, each plug blade may have a thickness that is at least twice the thickness of the elongated conductive traces. The plug blades may be low profile plug blades that are manufactured separately from the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Methods of operating a cellular radio are provided in which a first power supply signal is transmitted from a power supply to a wireless power unit at least in part over a power cable. A second power supply signal is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless power unit to the cellular radio to power the cellular radio. Data is transmitted from a baseband unit that is associated with the cellular radio to a wireless transceiver at least in part over a data cable. This data is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transceiver to the cellular radio. The data is then transmitted through an antenna that is coupled to the cellular radio.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to a reconfigurable antenna system including a reconfigurable antenna capable of providing various types of radiation patterns without having to be replaced or needing its orientation changed. The reconfigurable antenna may create various types of quasi-omni directional radiation patterns of different shapes depending on the environment.

Abstract: Communications connectors are provided that include a plurality of inputs that are arranged as differential pairs of inputs and a plurality of outputs that are arranged as differential pairs of outputs. A plurality of low frequency conductive paths are provided, each of which electrically connects a respective one of the inputs to a respective one of the outputs. These low frequency conductive paths are configured to pass signals having frequencies in a first frequency band while substantially attenuating signals having frequencies in a second frequency band that includes higher frequencies than the first frequency band. A plurality of second conductive paths are also provided. Each of the plurality of second conductive paths is electrically in parallel with at least a portion of a respective one of the low frequency conductive paths.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring an alignment of a base station antenna at a cell site. The apparatus may include an alignment monitor configured to be attached to an antenna mounting bracket for mounting the base station antenna to a support structure. The alignment monitor may include GPS antenna pointing in a direction different than an azimuth pointing direction of the base station antenna.

Abstract: Methods of operating a cellular radio are provided in which a first power supply signal is transmitted from a power supply to a wireless power unit at least in part over a power cable. A second power supply signal is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless power unit to the cellular radio to power the cellular radio. Data is transmitted from a baseband unit that is associated with the cellular radio to a wireless transceiver at least in part over a data cable. This data is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transceiver to the cellular radio. The data is then transmitted through an antenna that is coupled to the cellular radio.

Abstract: Communications plugs are provided which include a printed circuit board having a plurality of elongated conductive traces and a plurality of plug blades. Each plug blade has a first section that extends along a top surface of the printed circuit board and a second section that extends along a front edge of the printed circuit board. Additionally, each plug blade may have a thickness that is at least twice the thickness of the elongated conductive traces. The plug blades may be low profile plug blades that are manufactured separately from the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a plug insertion into a plug aperture of a communications connector are provided in which a control signal is transmitted to a control signal input circuit of the connector that includes a reactive coupling element. The control signal is electromagnetically coupled through the control signal input circuit. The electromagnetically coupled control signal is thereafter detected on a first differential pair of conductive paths that are included in the connector. A determination is made that a plug is present in the plug aperture based at least in part on detecting the electromagnetically coupled control signal on the first differential pair of conductive paths.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a plug insertion into a plug aperture of a communications connector are provided in which a control signal is received that is electromagnetically coupled across a plug aperture of the communications connector using a reactive coupling element. A determination may be made that a mating plug (e.g., an RJ-45 plug or a connector on a fiber optic jumper cable) has been inserted into the plug aperture based on this received control signal. Related connectors are also provided.