FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to the telecommunication sector, more particularly, to
a small cell solution cabinet with camouflaged antennae mast and process of its
preparation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Safety and security are key features of modern communication systems and radio
Antennae systems. Antennae systems used in Radio and other telecommunication
systems need to be protected against environmental concerns, such as wind, blowing
sand, snow, ice, rain, ultra violet sun light, temperature, fungus and corrosion which
deviate the EM energy from desired direction to undesired direction (Reflection or
Refraction phenomenon)
[003] A radome is a structural, weatherproof enclosure that protects a microwave antenna &
radio antenna. The radome is constructed of material that minimally attenuates the
electromagnetic signal transmitted or received by the antenna. In other words, the
radome is transparent to electromagnetic wave being emitted by Antennae or received
by antennae. Radomes avoid the accumulation of foreign objects & protect the
antenna surfaces from dust, snow, bird & weather related particle. It also conceals
antenna equipment from public view.
[004] Radomes can be constructed in several shapes (spherical, geodesic, planar, etc.)
depending upon the particular application using various construction materials &
radiation pattern desired
[005] In telecommunication industry antennae are covered in the direction of firing side
(radiating probe or technically dipole or unipole). Covers are mandatory to safeguard
the dipole or feeding point from environmental concerns such as wind, blowing sand,
snow, ice, rain, ultra violet sun light, temperature and fungus as well as encroachment
of birds and other animals.
[006] Presently construction material used for making covers are fibre glass, quartz, and
aramid fibres which are held together with polyester, epoxy and other resins. The
covers made from these materials are moulded and cost of these covers are very high.
These covers are not readily available in market. Once these covers are damaged their
replacement becomes difficult because of their high cost and non-availability in
market. This results in damage to the antennae and their reduced operative life.
[007] To overcome the shortcomings of present materials used for making covers for
antennae, in telecom industry, there is a need for a suitable material which has low
dielectric loss factor, good weather resistance and UV stability, good impact
resistance, easily available, cost effective and is environment friendly.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
[008] Present invention is related to a small cell solution cabinet/radome with
camouflaged antennae mast. The present invention uses a material to fabricate
Antennae Radom for telecommunication industry to protect antennae which offers
negligible attenuation loss, has good weather resistance and UV stability, good
impact resistance, easily available, cost effective and is environment friendly.
Present invention also provides a process to produce these Radome from the
material used.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[009] Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide an enclosure for radio
equipment. The enclosure is named Radome. The enclosure includes a polymer
sheet that is of exact shape and size to match the span of the radio equipment. It
also includes a mounting element that is configured to fix to the radio equipment
base and is coupled to keep the polymer sheet at its place. The polymer sheet is
configured to be transparent to telecommunication waves in order to not interfere
with functioning of the radio equipment.
[010] In yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for making
an enclosure for radio equipment. This method includes designing of the enclosure
details followed by verifying the design. After this, a proto-type of the enclosure is
created, tested and finally on a successful testing, the enclosure is fabricated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[011] Fig. 1 illustrates typical radio equipment.
[012] Fig. 2 that illustrates an enclosure to cover the radio equipment according to an
embodiment of the invention
[013] Fig. 3 illustrates the corresponding method of the present system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[014] This patent describes the subject matter for patenting with specificity to meet
statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the
scope of this patent. The principles described herein may be embodied in many
different forms.
[015] Illustrative embodiments of the invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not
all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[016] The main embodiment of this invention is to produce small cell solution
cabinet/radome with camouflaged antennae mast which protects the antennae from
external aerodynamic loads and environmental loads without degrading the EM
Wave performance of the antennae.
[017] Another embodiment of the invention is an enclosure for radio equipment in order to
cover the radio equipment and save it from environmental problems like wind, high
temperature, rain etc further avoid unwanted attention towards it
[018] Now referring to FIG. 1 that illustrates a typical radio equipment 100. In an
embodiment of the invention, the radio equipment may be mobile tower. The radio
equipment 100 includes a main base pole 102 that forms the main part of the radio
equipment 100. The radio equipment 100 further contains multiple antennae 104 fixed
to the frame of the radio equipment 100.In this application the term “radio equipment”
includes all manner of cellular mounting structure, for example building sites, towers,
treelike structures, and the like
[019] Now referring to FIG. 2 that illustrates an enclosure 200. The enclosure is also termed
as Radome. The enclosure 200 is configured to be either wholly placed over the radio
equipment 100 or can be placed in parts. The enclosure 200 further includes a polymer
sheet 202 that may be formed in any shape or size and is also configured to exactly
cover the span of the radio equipment 100. The radio equipment 100 is placed in
opening/cavity 206. The polymer sheet 202 is made up of polypropylene random
copolymer. Polypropylene random copolymer (PP-R) is a thermoplastic polymer used
in a wide variety of applications e.g. packaging and labelling, textiles, stationary,
automotive components, pipes, reusable containers laboratory equipment etc. It is
resistant to many chemical solvents, acids and bases. It has high melting point and can
bear temperature fluctuations between 10 – 160 degree Celsius. It is resistant to
corrosion and chemical leaching. It is used as insulating material for electric cables in
low ventilation environments e.g. tunnels etc., because it emits less smoke and no
toxic halogen. Polypropylene random copolymer is recyclable so doesnot cause
environmental hazards.
[020] The enclosure 200 further includes a mounting unit 204 that helps to mount and
clench the enclosure 200 to a base. Also, the mounting unit 204 is further coupled the
polymer sheet 202 in order to keep it at its place.
[021] The purpose of the enclosure 200 of the present invention is to protect the radio
equipment 100 from external aerodynamic loads and environmental loads without
degrading the performance of the antennae and avoid the accumulation of foreign
objects which can cause reflection & refraction. The enclosure 100 is to be used for
outdoor applications and hence should meet structural and electrical requirements
as mentioned below:
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
[022] The electrical requirements of the enclosure 200 are as following:
• Frequency of operation: 700 MHz – 23 GHz.
• Transmission loss/ Insertion loss: 1.0 dB over 90% of the band, 1.2 dB over
100% of the band.
• Return loss (variations with and without antennae): 1 dB 4 beam width
variation +/- 10% max.
• Pattern ripple: +/- 0.5 dB max within 3 dB level.
STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS
[023] The enclosure 200 should satisfy following structural requirements:
• The enclosure should withstand a pressure created by 100km/h wind speed.
• The enclosure should withstand atemperature range of 0 o C to 60o C.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATION TESTING REQUIREMENTS
[024] The enclosure 200 should satisfy following environmental qualification
requirements:
• High temperature/ Low temperature: 60o C/ 0o C
• Humidity test: RH 85% to 95%, Temperature 30 o C to 60o C
• Blowing rain test: Rainfall rate 1.7 mm/min.
• Wind Velocity: 18m/s
• Blowing sand air velocity: 50 m /s
• Fluid contamination: Fuel, Hydraulic fluid, Lub oil, soap solution
• Fungus growth
• Solar radiation
• Salt fog and Salt solution
MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS
[025] The enclosure 200 should satisfy following mechanical requirements;
• The dimension of enclosure should be as per antennae structure with thickness
of the region ahead of the antennae structure should be 1.5 mm or more.
• The contour details of the enclosure should be taken from 3D model.
• The weight of the enclosure to be less than 10 Kg.
[026] Now referring to FIG. 3illustrating a method 300 for making the enclosure 200. At
step 302, designing of the enclosure 200 is carried out. The designing may be
performed in a computer software program like CAD, or auto CAD or any other
such software program. The designing is performed as per the specifications of the
radio equipment 100. At step 304, the parameters of the designing performed at 302
are verified. If the parameters are verified the method moves on to step 306,
wherein a proto-type of the enclosure 200 is created. However, if the parameters of
the design are not verified the method is again repeated from the beginning.
[027] At step 308, the proto-type created is tested on the radio equipment 100. If the
proto-type passes the testing then at step 310, RF testing of the proto-type is tested.
However, if the testing is failed then proto-type is remade. If the RF test on the
proto-type is passed, fabrication of the enclosure 200 is performed at step 312.
However, on a failure, the proto-type is remade. After fabrication of the enclosure
200 at step 312, a quality test is performed on the enclosure 200. If the enclosure
200 passes the quality test material is handed over. However, if quality test is
failed, the fabrication step 312 is again repeated.
[028] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment,
it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as herein
described.
[029] As one of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate, the example system and method
described herein can be modified. For example, certain steps can be omitted, certain
steps can be carried out concurrently, and other steps can be added. Although
particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it is
understood that the invention is not limited correspondingly in scope, but includes
all changes, modifications and equivalents.
[030] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best
mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention,
including making and using any devices or systems and performing any
incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention will be defined in the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art.
[031] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating
requirements and environments are apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention
is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and
covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the
true spirit and scope of this invention.
[032] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best
mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention,
including making and using any devices or systems and performing any
incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims,
and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other
examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural
elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal
languages of the claims.

We claim:
1. An enclosure for radio equipment comprising:
a polymer sheet configured to be of a shape and size that matched the span of
the radio equipment;
a mounting element configured to fix to the radio equipment base and couple to
keep the polymer sheet at its place;
wherein the polymer sheet is transparent to the telecommunication waves and
does not interfere with functioning of the radio equipment.
2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the polymer sheet is made up of
polypropylene random copolymer.
3. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the radio equipment is a mobile phone
antenna with or without radio equipment.
4. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further provides shielding from
high speed winds to the radio equipment.
5. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is formed utilizing hot-air
welding process.
6. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is configured to enclose more
than one radio equipment.
7. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is able to with stand a
temperature of range 0o C to 60o C.
8. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure weighs less than 10 KG.
9. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is able to withstand wind speed
of up to 20m/s.
10. A method for making an enclosure for radio equipment, method comprising;
designing the enclosure details;
verifying the design of the enclosure;
creating a proto-type of the enclosure;
testing the proto-type for RF testing; and
fabrication of the enclosure on successful testing of the proto-type.