Antenna apparatus housing and components for same

Abstract

In embodiments of the present disclosure, a housing for an antenna system having a plurality of antenna elements defining an antenna aperture includes: a chassis portion; and a radome portion configured for coupling to the chassis portion to define an inner chassis chamber. In some embodiments, the radome portion has a planar top surface. In other embodiments, the chassis portion has an internal support portion for internal components. In other embodiments, an antenna apparatus includes a mounting system for tiltably mounting the housing relative to a horizontal plane.

1 . A housing for an antenna system having a plurality of antenna elements defining an antenna aperture, the housing comprising:
 a chassis portion; and   a radome portion configured for coupling to the chassis portion to define an inner chassis chamber, the radome portion having a planar top surface, wherein the radome portion is configured to have equal spacing between the planar top surface and a top surface of each of the plurality of antenna elements defining the antenna aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the radome portion includes a first layer and a second layer. 
     
     
         3 . The housing of  claim 2 , wherein the first layer is a protective layer. 
     
     
         4 . The housing of  claim 3 , wherein the first layer is made from a fiberglass-reinforced epoxy laminate material. 
     
     
         5 . The housing of  claim 3 , wherein the first layer has a thickness selected from the group consisting of less than 1.5 mm, less than 0.76 mm, less than 0.51 mm, and less than 0.25 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The housing of  claim 3 , wherein the first layer includes a hydrophobic outer surface. 
     
     
         7 . The housing of  claim 2 , wherein the second layer is a spacing layer. 
     
     
         8 . The housing of  claim 7 , wherein the second layer is made from a polymethacrylimide foam. 
     
     
         9 . The housing of  claim 7 , wherein the second layer has a thickness selected from the group consisting of greater than 3.0 mm, less than 4.5 mm, or in the range of 3.0 mm to 4.5 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the radome portion is tilted relative to a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         11 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the radome portion couples with the chassis portion at a bezel surface on the chassis portion. 
     
     
         12 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein the radome portion is sealed to the chassis portion at a bezel surface on the chassis portion. 
     
     
         13 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein an outer edge of a second radome layer is set inward from the outer edge of a first radome layer to provide an outer radome lip. 
     
     
         14 . The housing of  claim 13 , wherein the outer radome lip couples with the chassis portion at a bezel surface on the chassis portion. 
     
     
         15 . A housing for an antenna system having a plurality of antenna elements defining an antenna aperture, the housing comprising:
 a chassis portion having an internal support portion for internal components for the plurality of antenna elements including a bonding portion for bonding an internal carrier to the chassis portion; and   a radome portion configured for coupling to the chassis portion to define an inner chassis chamber.   
     
     
         16 . The housing of  claim 15 , wherein the bonding portion includes a plurality of bonding bars. 
     
     
         17 . The housing of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of bonding bars is oriented in a parallel configuration. 
     
     
         18 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The housing of  claim 15 , further comprising a moat section extending around the bonding portion. 
     
     
         20 . The housing of  claim 27 , further comprising city-scaping in the moat section. 
     
     
         21 . An antenna apparatus for an antenna system having a plurality of antenna elements defining an antenna aperture, the antenna apparatus comprising:
 a housing including a chassis portion and a radome portion configured for coupling to the chassis portion to define an inner chassis chamber; and   a mounting system for tiltably mounting the housing relative to a horizontal plane.   
     
     
         22 . The antenna apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the mounting system includes a single leg. 
     
     
         23 . The antenna apparatus of claim  30 , wherein the single leg is mounted at a center point on the chassis portion of the housing. 
     
     
         24 . The antenna apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the mounting system includes a hinge assembly for tiltably mounting the housing relative to a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         25 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The antenna apparatus of claim  30 , wherein the mounting system is configured to receive the cabling within the single leg. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The antenna apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the mounting system includes a tilt locking mechanism for locking the housing at one or more tilted orientations. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled)