Active Antenna System (AAS) Radio Frequency (RF) Module with Heat Sink Integrated Antenna Reflector

Abstract

On-board heat dissipation can be achieved in radio frequency (RF) modules by integrating a heat sink into the RF module's antenna reflector. Said integration achieves a compact and aesthetically pleasing RF module design that reduces the overall footprint of modular active antenna systems (AASs). Embodiment antenna reflectors include portions that are perforated and/or exposed to free flowing air to provide enhanced heat dissipation capability.

In the claims: 
     
         1 . An antenna comprising:
 a radiating element; and   an antenna reflector configured to reflect electromagnetic signals radiated from the radiating element, and to dissipate heat generated by the antenna into free-flowing air.   
     
     
         2 . The antenna of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna reflector includes a heat sink configured to dissipate heat generated by the antenna into the free-flowing air. 
     
     
         3 . The antenna of  claim 2 , wherein the antenna reflector is configured as the primary heat exchanger for the antenna. 
     
     
         4 . The antenna of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna reflector is perforated. 
     
     
         5 . The antenna of  claim 1 , wherein the radiating element is affixed to a reflecting face of the antenna reflector. 
     
     
         6 . The antenna of  claim 5 , wherein the antenna reflector comprises a heat dissipating face configured to be exposed to the free-flowing air. 
     
     
         7 . The antenna of  claim 6 , wherein the heat dissipating face comprises a plurality of heat dissipating fins. 
     
     
         8 . The antenna of  claim 6 , wherein the reflective face of the antenna reflector includes perforations, the perforations of the reflective face enabling free-flowing air to pass through the reflective face of the antenna reflector to the heat dissipating face of the antenna reflector. 
     
     
         9 . The antenna of  claim 8 , wherein the perforations have dimensions configured to be smaller than a smallest wavelength radiated by the radiating element during normal operation. 
     
     
         10 . The antenna of  claim 8 , wherein the perforations have dimensions configured to be smaller than or equal to lambda/2, where lambda is a smallest wavelength radiated by the radiating element during normal operation. 
     
     
         11 . An active antenna system (AAS) module comprising:
 an antenna reflector structurally configured to dissipate heat, the antenna reflector having a reflective face;   a radiating element fastened to the reflective face of the antenna reflector; and   a radome affixed to the reflective face of the antenna reflector, thereby forming a cavity at least partially surrounding the radiating element.   
     
     
         12 . The AAS of  claim 11 , wherein the antenna reflector is configured as a primary heat exchanger for the AAS. 
     
     
         13 . The AAS of  claim 11 , wherein the cavity is a weatherproof cavity formed over an encased portion of the reflective face of the antenna reflector, and wherein a non-encased portion of the reflective face of the antenna reflector remains exposed to free-flowing air. 
     
     
         14 . The AAS of  claim 13 , wherein the non-encased portion of the reflective face of the antenna reflector includes perforations is perforated. 
     
     
         15 . The AAS of  claim 14 , wherein the perforations are slots. 
     
     
         16 . The AAS of  claim 14 , wherein the perforations are curved. 
     
     
         17 . The AAS of  claim 14 , wherein the perforations are circular. 
     
     
         18 . The AAS of  claim 14 , wherein the perforations are smaller than a smallest wavelength radiated by the radiating element during normal operation. 
     
     
         19 . The AAS of  claim 14 , wherein the perforations are less than or equal to lambda/2, where lambda is a smallest wavelength radiated by the radiating element during normal operation. 
     
     
         20 . The AAS of  claim 14 , wherein the perforations are smaller than an average wavelength radiated by the radiating element during normal operation. 
     
     
         21 . The AAS of  claim 13 , wherein the perforations are smaller than or equal to lambda/2, where lambda is an average wavelength radiated by the radiating element during normal operation. 
     
     
         22 . The AAS of  claim 11 , wherein the antenna reflector further includes a heat dissipating face comprising a plurality of heat dissipating fins. 
     
     
         23 . The AAS of  claim 22 , wherein the heat dissipating face is configured to be exposed to free-flowing air. 
     
     
         24 . The AAS of  claim 22 , wherein the heat dissipating face is different than the reflective face. 
     
     
         25 . A method for operating an active antenna, the method comprising:
 transmitting or receiving a wireless signal by a radiating element of the active antenna, wherein the wireless signal is at least partially reflected by an antenna reflector of the active antenna; and   dissipating heat from the antenna reflector to free flowing air.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the antenna reflector include perforations. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the antenna reflector includes heat dissipating fins.