Tower top cellular communication devices and method for operating the same
US6931261B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q23/00
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A communication network (100) and method are provided that reduce loses between a base transceiver station (BTS 102) and an antenna (114). Generally, the network (100) includes a tower (112) having a tower-top (110) on which the antenna (114) is supported, a BTS (102) and a separate amplifier (124) on the tower-top near to the antenna, the amplifier in a communication path between the BTS and the antenna. In one embodiment, the network (100) further includes a backhaul (122) on the tower-top (110) near the antenna (114), the backhaul configured to couple signals between the BTS (102) and a base station controller (BSC 108). Preferably, the backhaul (122) is integrated with the BTS (102). In another version, the backhaul (122) is configured to couple communication signals between the BTS (102) and the BSC (108) via a wireless communication system (128). More preferably, a photovoltaic cell (132) on the tower (112) supplies electrical power to the BTS (102), the amplifier (124) and the backhaul (122), thereby providing a self-contained tower-top node (134).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.