Modular small cell architecture
A wireless communication system is provided. The system includes a common module, is shaped as a sector of a cylinder and has a power supply. A sector radio module is coupled to the power supply and includes an access radio and an access antenna. The access antenna is configured to serve a sector of not more than 180°, and is also shaped as a sector of a cylinder.
1. A wireless communications system, comprising:
a common module, having a power supply, the common module being shaped as a sector of a cylinder; and
a sector radio module coupled to the power supply of the common module and configured to mount adjacent to the common module on a mounting structure, the sector radio module comprising a housing with an access radio and an access antenna inside the housing, the access antenna being configured to serve a sector of not more than 180°, the sector radio module further being shaped as a sector of a cylinder.
2. The wireless communications system of claim 1 , wherein the common module further provides an optical fiber demarcation, and back-haul for the access radio of the sector radio module is provided via the optical fiber demarcation.
3. The wireless communications system of claim 1 , wherein the sector radio module further comprises a back-haul radio and a back-haul antenna.
4. The wireless communications system of claim 3 , wherein the back-haul radio comprises a low capacity back-haul radio configured to receive back-haul data from another sector radio module via the back-haul antenna.
5. The wireless communications system of claim 3 , wherein the back-haul radio comprises a high capacity back-haul radio configured to establish a back-haul link with a macro cell site via the back-haul antenna.
6. The wireless communications system of claim 1 , wherein the common module is a first common module of a plurality of common modules, and wherein the sector radio module is a first sector radio module of a plurality of sector radio modules, wherein the plurality of sector radio modules provide in combination 360 degree access radio coverage.
7. The wireless communications system of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of sector radio modules comprises three sector radio modules, each sector radio module being shaped as a 120° sector of a cylinder.
8. The wireless communications system of claim 1 , wherein the sector radio module is a first sector radio module of a plurality of sector radio modules coupled to the common module, and wherein each sector radio module of the plurality of sector radio modules is powered by the power supply of the common module.
9. The wireless communication system of claim 1 , further comprising a wall mount bracket coupled to a rear surface of the housing.
10. A wireless communications system comprising:
a common module including a power supply that converts utility power to a voltage and current suitable to power access radio operation, wherein the common module is shaped as a sector of a cylinder and configured to be mounted on an exterior of an antenna mounting pole; and
a sector radio module coupled to and powered by the power supply of the common module, the sector radio module including a housing with an access radio and an access antenna therein, wherein the access antenna is configured to serve a sector of not more than 180°, and wherein the sector radio module is shaped as a sector of a cylinder and configured to be mounted adjacent to the common module on the exterior of the antenna mounting pole.
11. The wireless communications system of claim 10 , wherein the common module comprises a plurality of common modules and the sector radio module comprises a plurality of sector radio modules, wherein the plurality of sector radio modules provides 360 degree access radio coverage.
12. The wireless communications system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of sector radio modules comprises three sector radio modules, each sector radio module being shaped as a 120° sector of a cylinder.
13. The wireless communications system of claim 12 , wherein the access antenna is configured to have a half power beam width of approximately 65°.
14. The wireless communications system of claim 10 , wherein the sector radio module comprises a plurality of sector radio modules coupled to the common module.
15. The wireless communications system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of sector radio modules comprise a first sector radio module associated with a first wireless network operator and a second sector radio module associated with a second wireless network operator and mounted adjacent the first sector radio module on the antenna mounting pole.
16. The wireless communications system of claim 10 , wherein the sector radio module comprises a radome comprising a lightweight molded plastic cover having perforations allowing intake of cooling air such that the cooling air is directed onto heat sinks of the access radio.
17. The wireless communications system of claim 10 , wherein the sector radio module comprises a radome comprising a handle for lifting and/or installation.
18. The wireless communications system of claim 10 , wherein the common module comprises a concave recess at a rear portion thereof that is sized and configured to receive the antenna mounting pole.
19. The wireless communications system of claim 10 , wherein the sector radio module comprises a concave recess at a rear portion thereof that is sized and configured to receive the antenna mounting pole.
20. The wireless communications system of claim 10 , comprising three common modules, three sector radio modules associated with a first network operator, and three sector radio modules associated with a second network operator, wherein the common modules supplies power to the three sector radio modules associated with the first network operator, and to the three sector radio modules associated with the second network operator.