LOW PASSIVE INTERMODULATION CHOKES FOR ELECTRICAL CABLES
This disclosure relates to chokes for suppressing undesired signals such as such as common mode electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or radio frequency interference (RFI). The chokes can include an electro-conductive sleeve disposed over an electrical cable and the sleeve can be configured to suppress an undesired signal. In some embodiments, the electro-conductive sleeve and have a half-wave sleeve, which can be electrically open at both ends. Additional insulating material can be included between the electrical cable and the sleeve. Multiple electro-conductive sleeves and be disposed substantially concentrically over the cable. The chokes can be configured to reduce passive intermodulation (PIM). The sleeve can have a longitudinal slot that extends the length of the sleeve. The sleeve can include multiple slots that separate the sleeve into multiple panels, which can be configured to suppress different signals.
1 .- 13 . (canceled)
14 . An antenna array system comprising:
a plurality of antenna elements;
a splitting module configured to couple the plurality of antenna elements to at least one feed line;
an electrical cable coupling the splitting module to at least one of the plurality of antenna elements; and
a choke for suppressing an undesired signal, the choke configured to exhibit low passive intermodulation (PIM), the choke comprising an electro-conductive sleeve disposed over an outer surface of the electrical cable, wherein a longitudinal slot is disposed between ends of the electro-conductive sleeve, and wherein the longitudinal slot extends through the entire electro-conductive sleeve.
15 . The antenna array system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a radiating component coupled to the electrical cable, the radiating component configured to emit energy; and
a shield member disposed over the radiating component, the shield member configured to suppress at least some of the energy emitted by the radiating component;
wherein the choke is coupled to the shield member such that positioning the shield member over the radiating component causes the choke to be disposed over the electrical cable.
16 . The antenna array system of claim 15 , wherein the choke is electrically insulated from the shield member.
17 . The antenna array system of claim 4 , wherein the electro-conductive sleeve is a half-wave sleeve.
18 .- 94 . (canceled)
95 . The antenna array system of claim 14 , wherein the choke comprises a second electro-conductive sleeve disposed over the electro-conductive sleeve, wherein a second longitudinal slot is disposed between ends of the second electro-conductive sleeve, and wherein the second longitudinal slot extends through the entire second electro-conductive sleeve.
96 . The antenna array system of claim 95 , wherein the second electro-conductive sleeve has a length that is shorter than the electro-conductive sleeve.
97 . The antenna array system of claim 95 , wherein the choke comprises an insulating layer disposed between the electro-conductive sleeve and the second electro-conductive sleeve.
98 . The antenna array system of claim 95 , further comprising additional insulating material disposed between the electro-conductive sleeve and an insulating outer jacket of the electrical cable, wherein the additional insulating material is configured to increase suppression of EMI and/or RFI by the choke.
99 . The antenna array system of claim 14 , further comprising additional insulating material disposed between the electro-conductive sleeve and an insulating outer jacket of the electrical cable, wherein the additional insulating material is configured to increase suppression of EMI and/or RFI by the choke.
100 . The antenna array system of claim 99 , wherein the electrical cable has a radius and wherein the additional insulating material has a thickness of about 25% to about 200% of the radius of the electrical cable.
101 . The antenna array system of claim 99 , wherein the electrical cable has a radius and wherein the additional insulating material has a thickness of about 50% to about 100% of the radius of the electrical cable.
102 . The antenna array system of claim 99 , wherein the additional insulating material is a different type of material than the insulating outer jacket of the electrical cable.
103 . The antenna array system of claim 14 , wherein the ends of the electro-conductive sleeve overlap such that an area near a second end is disposed over an area near a first end.
104 . The antenna array system of claim 103 , wherein an insulating material is disposed between the area near the first end and the area near the second end.
105 . The antenna array system of claim 103 , wherein the area near the first end and the area near the second end are capacitively coupled.
106 . The antenna array system of claim 14 , wherein the electro-conductive sleeve extends around less than a full cross-sectional perimeter of the electrical cable.
107 . The antenna array system of claim 106 , wherein the electro-conductive sleeve extends around about 50% to about 95% of the cross-sectional perimeter of the electrical cable.
108 . The antenna array system of claim 14 , wherein an insulating material is disposed in the longitudinal slot between the ends of the electro-conductive sleeve.
109 . The antenna array system of claim 14 , wherein air is disposed in the longitudinal slot between the ends of the electro-conductive sleeve.
110 . The antenna array system of claim 14 , wherein the electro-conductive sleeve is insulated from the electrical cable.