TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to radio assemblies for a cell site, and in particular, to a heatsinkless radio for a cell site.

BACKGROUND

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) has developed and is developing standards for Fourth Generation (4G) (also referred to as Long Term Evolution (LTE)), Fifth Generation (5G) (also referred to as New Radio (NR)) and Sixth Generation (6G) wireless communication systems. Such systems provide, among other features, broadband communication between network nodes, such as base stations, and mobile wireless devices (WD), as well as communication between network nodes and between WDs.

These systems rely on infrastructure radios that are shipped and installed globally at cellular sites. Worldwide radio installation into urban and rural cellular sites are measured in millions per year. FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example type of cellular site - a cell tower. In particular, the cell tower 10 may be equipped with a remote radio cell site 12 and a MIMO radio cell site 14. Cell site may refer to the antenna 16 and related equipment (remote radio cell site 12, network node 18) for wirelessly transmitting and receiving, and a connection to the core network 20 typically performed through network node equipment. The remote radio cell site 12 is connected by cables to a separate antenna 16. The remote radio cell site 12 includes one or more radios 22, each radio having a respective integrated heatsink 24. The radio 22 and heatsink 24 are attached to the cell tower via housing that is directly attached to the radio 22. That is, the heatsink 24 is integrated directly to radio 22 and does not directly contact cell tower 10. The MIMO radio cell site 14 has radio 22 and antenna (not shown) integrated together whereas MIMO radio cell site 14 includes one or more radios 22, each having an integrated heatsink 24. While FIG. 1 is shown including two cell sites, a cell tower 10 may have more cell sites.

Existing radio equipment is manufactured by radio equipment suppliers and shipped, installed, returned and end of life scrapped with large integrated heatsinks to dissipate excess heat. That is, existing infrastructure radios are designed with large integrated heatsinks (e.g., large heatsinks that are build-in the radio during manufacturing) that provide natural convection cooling for safe and reliable radio operation over long periods of time. Specific thermal design may be required to ensure all radio electronics operating are within safe and reliable pre-determined operating temperatures. In other words, the radios are manufactured and shipped with built-in heatsinks.

As radio networks have evolved, these radio networks have begun to demand increased RF Output power levels with the introduction of multiple frequency bands and the trend is towards higher output power per frequency band. However, as RF Output power has increased, the size of the heatsinks have had to increase as well. For example, natural convection heatsinks are becoming an increasingly large portion of the current radio size, weight and volume as increased RF output power requires greater heat dissipation.

Further, the overall power efficiency of current radios is under 50% where power loss is in the form of heat and sizeable heatsink cooling is needed to the keep radio operation within a specified safe and reliable operating temperature. Therefore, in some existing systems, the increased heatsink size may be unavoidable, especially when taking into consideration that radios are deployed on cell sites globally and subjected to harsh climate conditions of temperature, solar thermal loading and environment conditions.

Further, existing systems that employ heatsinks that are integrated with the radio(s) during manufacturing may suffer from one or more of the following issues:

(1) Heatsinks have become a large portion of the overall radio size, weight and volume. Size, weight and volume of these integrated heatsinks create an excessive expense for global shipment, handling, installation and return.

(2) Size, weight and volume excess complicates the final installation process in terms of higher labor cost and higher capital costs.

(3) With the existing design approach - integrated heatsinks are often undersized to minimize impact to radio size, weight and volume. This increases the probability of field thermal problems resulting in costly field returns and replacement. (4) Heatsink shipments with each radio is energy wasteful in terms of higher global carbon footprint, higher transportation costs, higher labor, higher installation and higher capital costs. This is significant given the yearly volume of deployed radios is measured in millions per year.

Therefore, existing integrated heatsinks suffer from various issues.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments advantageously provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for radio assemblies for a cell site, and in particular, to a heatsinkless radio for a cell site.

In one or more embodiments, permanent mounted heatsinks/thermal energy transfer elements (or equivalent cooling mechanics) are provided at the cell site. Heatsinkless radios are then designed, manufactured and shipped where these heatsinkless radios are mated to the permanent heatsinks at the cell site during final field installation. Heatsinkless radios are lighter, more compact in size and less complex to ship, install and return. Replacement or network upgrades to new radio units can re-use the permanent heatsinks at the cell site. Further, permanent heatsinks can be larger in size with improved thermal performance compared to radios with integrated heatsinks.

According to one or more embodiments, a radio assembly for a cellular site is provided. The radio assembly includes a thermal energy transfer element affixable to a structure at the cellular site, and at least one radio removably attached to the thermal energy transfer element where the at least one radio is in thermal communication with the thermal energy transfer element for transferring thermal energy from the at least one radio to the thermal energy transfer element.

According to one or more embodiments, the thermal energy transfer element includes: at least one thermal energy transfer plate; at least one thermal energy conduit having a proximal end and distal end where the proximal end is directly attached to a first side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate, at least one thermal energy sink is directly attached to the at least one thermal energy conduit one of: at the distal end of the at least one thermal energy conduit; in between the proximal end and distal end of the at least one thermal energy conduit; and along a length of the at least one thermal energy conduit after the proximal end. The at least one radio is removably attached directly to a second side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate, the second side being different from the first side. The at least one radio is in thermal communication with the at least one thermal energy sink via the at least one thermal energy transfer plate and at least one thermal energy conduit.

According to one or more embodiments, the distal end of the at least one thermal energy conduit is positioned within the at least one thermal energy sink.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one thermal energy conduit and at least one thermal energy transfer plate are a unitary element.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one thermal energy sink is configured for one of convention cooling, immersion cooling and liquid cooling.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one radio corresponds to a plurality of radios.

According to one or more embodiments, the thermal energy transfer element includes: at least one thermal energy transfer plate, a plurality of fins extending from a first side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate, and the at least one radio is removably attached directly to a second side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate, the first side being opposite the second side.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one radio corresponds to a plurality of radios and the at least one thermal energy transfer plate corresponds to a single thermal energy transfer plate where the plurality of radios are removably attached directly to the second side of the single thermal energy transfer plate.

According to one or more embodiments, the structure at the cell site is one of a cellular tower, rooftop structure, ground mounted structure, outdoor structure and indoor structure.

According to one or more embodiments, a coverage area of the radio assembly associated with one of the outdoor structure and indoor structure is smaller than a coverage area of the radio assembly associated with one of the cellular tower, rooftop structure and ground mounted structure.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of mounting a radio assembly at a cellular site is provided. A thermal energy transfer element is affixed directly to a structure at the cellular site. At least one radio is removably attached directly to the thermal energy transfer element where the at least one radio is in thermal communication with the thermal energy transfer element for transferring thermal energy from the at least one radio to the thermal energy transfer element.

According to one or more embodiments, the thermal energy transfer element includes: at least one thermal energy transfer plate, at least one thermal energy conduit having a proximal end and distal end where the proximal end is directly attached to a first side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate, at least one thermal energy sink is directly attached to the at least one thermal energy conduit one of: at the distal end of the at least one thermal energy conduit; in between the proximal end and distal end of the at least one thermal energy conduit; and along a length of the at least one thermal energy conduit after the proximal end. The at least one radio is removably attached directly to a second side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate, the second side being different from the first side. The at least one radio is in thermal communication with the at least one thermal energy sink via the at least one thermal energy transfer plate and at least one thermal energy conduit.

According to one or more embodiments, the distal end of the at least one thermal energy conduit is positioned within the at least one thermal energy sink.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one thermal energy conduit and at least one thermal energy transfer plate are a unitary element.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one thermal energy sink is configured for one of convention cooling, immersion cooling and liquid cooling.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one radio corresponds to a plurality of radios.

According to one or more embodiments, the thermal energy transfer element includes: at least one thermal energy transfer plate; a plurality of fins extending from a first side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate; and the at least one radio is removably attached directly to a second side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate, the first side being opposite the second side.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one radio corresponds to a plurality of radios and the at least one thermal energy transfer plate corresponds to a single thermal energy transfer plate where the plurality of radios are removably attached directly to the second side of the single thermal energy transfer plate. According to one or more embodiments, the structure at the cell site is one of a cellular tower, rooftop structure, ground mounted structure, outdoor structure and indoor structure.

According to one or more embodiments, a coverage area of the radio assembly associated with one of the outdoor structure and indoor structure is smaller than a coverage area of the radio assembly associated with one of the cellular tower, rooftop structure and ground mounted structure.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a radio assembly for a cellular site is provided. The radio assembly includes at least one thermal energy transfer plate, at least one thermal energy conduit having a proximal end and distal end where the proximal end is directly attached to a first side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate, at least one thermal energy sink that is directly attached to the at least one thermal energy conduit one of at the distal end of the at least one thermal energy conduit; in between the proximal end and distal end of the at least one thermal energy conduit; and along a length of the at least one thermal energy conduit after the proximal end. The radio assembly includes a plurality of radios removably attached directly to a second side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate where the second side is different from the first side, and the plurality of radios are in thermal communication with the at least one thermal energy sink via the at least one thermal energy transfer plate and at least one thermal energy conduit.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one thermal energy transfer plate is affixable to a structure at the cellular site.

According to one or more embodiments, the thermal energy transferring element is a portion of a cellular tower.

According to one or more embodiments, the structure at the cell site is one of a cellular tower, rooftop structure, ground mounted structure, outdoor structure and indoor structure.

According to one or more embodiments, the coverage area associated with the outdoor structure and indoor structures are smaller than a coverage associated with the cellular tower, rooftop structure and ground mounted structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an existing cell site for remote and MIMO wireless infrastructure radio;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example cell site with a heatsinkless radio according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a radio assembly that has multiple heatsinkless radios installed in a direct configuration at the cell site according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of another example of a radio assembly that has multiple heatsinkless radios installed in a direction configuration at the cell site according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of a radio assembly that has a heatsinkless radio installed in a distant configuration at the cell site according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of a radio assembly that has multiple heatsinkless radios installed in a distant configuration at the cell site according to the principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example method according to the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to radio assemblies for a cell site, and in particular, to a heatsinkless radio for a cell site. Accordingly, components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the concepts described herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

In embodiments described herein, the joining term, “in communication with” and the like, may be used to indicate electrical or data communication, which may be accomplished by physical contact, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signaling, infrared signaling or optical signaling, for example. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that multiple components may interoperate and modifications and variations are possible of achieving the electrical and data communication.

In some embodiments described herein, the term “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, may be used herein to indicate a connection, although not necessarily directly, and may include wired and/or wireless connections.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the concepts described herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The term “network node” used herein can be any kind of network node comprised in a radio network which may further comprise any of base station (BS), radio base station, base transceiver station (BTS), base station controller (BSC), radio network controller (RNC), g Node B (gNB), evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), Node B, multi- standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE), relay node, donor node controlling relay, radio access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH), a core network node (e.g., mobile management entity (MME), self-organizing network (SON) node, a coordinating node, positioning node, MDT node, etc.), an external node (e.g., 3rd party node, a node external to the current network), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), a spectrum access system (SAS) node, an element management system (EMS), etc. The network node may also comprise test equipment. The term “radio node” used herein may be used to also denote a wireless device (WD) such as a wireless device (WD) or a radio network node.

Note that although terminology from one particular wireless system, such as, for example, 3GPP LTE and/or New Radio (NR), may be used in this disclosure, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the disclosure to only the aforementioned system. Other wireless systems, including without limitation Wide Band Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), may also benefit from exploiting the ideas covered within this disclosure.

In some embodiments, the general description elements in the form of “one of A and B” corresponds to A or B. In some embodiments, at least one of A and B corresponds to A, B or AB, or to one or more of A and B. In some embodiments, at least one of A, B and C corresponds to one or more of A, B and C, and/or A, B, C or a combination thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Some embodiments are directed to radio assemblies for a cell site, and in particular, to a heatsinkless radio for a cell site.

Referring to the drawing figures, in which like elements are referred to by like reference numerals, there is shown in FIG. 2 a diagram of a cell site 26, according to an embodiment, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network that may support standards such as LTE and/or NR (5G), which comprises a cell tower 27 that is configured to support one or more cell sites. For example, cell tower 27 may support remote radio cell site 28 and MIMO radio cell site 30. Cell tower 27 may support high power and a large radius coverage area compared to other types of cell sites 26 where a cell tower 27 may be position in various location such as in a suburban location, highways, rural locations, etc. Remote radio cell site 28 includes antenna 16 and network node 18 (e.g., base station 18) as described above. However, remote radio cell site 28 includes one or more thermal energy transfer elements 32 (collectively referred to as thermal energy transfer element 32) that are affixable to a structure at cell site 26. The thermal energy transfer element 32 may be a thermal energy sink such as a heatsink. In one or more embodiments, thermal energy transfer element 32 is affixed directly to the cell tower 27. In one or more embodiments, thermal energy transfer element 32 is part of the cell tower 27, i.e., part of the structure of cell site 26. In one or more embodiments, thermal energy transfer element 32 is a heatsink. The configuration of removably affixing radio 34 directly to thermal energy transfer element 32 is referred to as a direct configuration.

Further, remote radio cell site 28 includes one or more radios 34 (collectively referred to as radio 34). In one or more embodiments, radio 34 is one of the following types: remote radio, MIMO radio, street macro, indoor radio, etc. For example, a remote radio or MIMO radio may be deployed at a cell site 26 such as a cell tower 27, rooftop, ground mounted, etc. In another example, a street macro may be deployed at a cell site 26 such as a small cell outdoor site. In another example, an indoor radio may be deployed at a cell site 26 such as inside a building or indoors. Radio 34 (e.g., heatsinkless radio) may provide high and low RF power solutions as described herein.

Radio 34 is configured to be removably attached/mated to thermal energy transfer element 32 where thermal energy transfer element 32 may be a permanent reusable heatsink at the cell site 26. After being removably attached, radio 34 is in thermal communication with the thermal energy transfer element 32 for transferring thermal energy from the radio 34 to the thermal energy transfer element 32. One or more radios 34 removably attached to the thermal energy transfer element 32 may be referred to as a radio assembly 35. In one or more embodiments, radio 34 is not integrated with thermal energy transfer element 32 during manufacturing and is removably affixed to thermal energy transfer element 32 at the cell site 26 such as, for example, after thermal energy transfer element 32 is affixed to a structure (e.g., cell tower 27) at the cell site 26. Radio 34 may also be referred to as heatsinkless radio 34. In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates a direct configuration for the radio 34 and thermal transfer energy element 32 as radio 34 is removably affixed directly to the thermal transfer energy element 32.

Radio 34 contains the transmit, receive and connection ports that are manufactured by radio equipment suppliers and then globally shipped to each cell site 26. Wireless radio 34 production volumes are measured in the millions per year. Radio 34 (e.g., heatsinkless radio) is then installed to thermal energy transfer element 32 (e.g., permanent direct heatsink) already affixed at the cell site 26. Radios 34 are significantly smaller, lighter and cheaper than existing radios that have integrated heatsinks. Hence, radio 34 makes shipment, installation, return and end of life scrapping less complex, more cost effective and more environmentally friendly given large production volumes.

In one or more embodiments, thermal energy transfer element 32 is designed to be oversized to enable maximum thermal cooling and to enable reuse for future radio upgrades with higher RF output power levels. In particular, thermal energy transfer element 32 (e.g., permanent heatsink) can be designed for one or more radios 34 and can be designed for optimal thermal performance without design compromise for size and weight considerations (design compromise is common with integrated heatsink designs). Thermal energy transfer element 32 (e.g., permanent heatsinks) at the cell site 26 are configured for improved cooling capacity compared to other heatsinks, and are configured to support/handle one or more radios 34. In one or more embodiments, radios 34 are mated to thermal energy transfer element 32 at time of final field installation. Advantages of the teachings described herein include improved thermal cooling, lower radio costs, ease of shipment, ease of installation, ease of return. Lower carbon footprint and energy efficiency during shipment and handling is achieved.

MIMO radio cell site 30 may include one or more radios 34 that are removably affixable to one or more thermal energy transfer elements 32 as described above with respect to remote radio cell site 26.

While FIG. 2 is described with reference to cell tower 27, one or more embodiments described herein are equally applicable to other physical cell site 26 structures/types. For example, cell site 26 may be a rooftop structure that supports high power and a large radius coverage area compared to other types of cell sites 26. A rooftop structure may include, for example, dense urban rooftop areas. Another example cell site 26 is a ground mounted structure that supports high power and a large radius coverage area compared to other types of cell sites 26. The ground mounted structure may be implemented in remote locations such as mountain tops. Another example cell site 26 is a small cell outdoor structure that supports low power and a small radius coverage area compared to other types of cell sites 26. The small cell outdoor structure may be implemented at street level, on lamppost, etc. Another example cell site 26 is an indoor structure that supports high power and a small radius coverage area compared to other types of cell sites 26. The indoor structure may correspond to an office, factory, school, stadium, apartment, etc.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a radio assembly 35 having multiple heatsinkless radios 34 installed in a direct configuration at the cell site 26. For example, multiple radios 34 are installed (e.g., removably affixed) to a single thermal energy transfer element 32 that is affixed or permanently affixed at the cell site 26. While thermal energy transfer element 32 is illustrated in the horizontal configuration - any other configuration such as vertical or diagonal are possible in accordance with the teachings described herein. Further, in one or more embodiments, thermal energy transfer element 32 is in a staggered or stepped design that is affixed or permanently affixed at the cell site 26. In one or more embodiments, thermal energy transfer element 32 may be part of the structure at the cell site. For example, thermal energy transfer element 32 may be part of cell tower 27. While FIG. 3 illustrates thermal energy transfer element 32 being a natural convection cooling element, other cooling mechanisms are equally applicable to one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of radio assembly 35 having multiple heatsinkless radios 34 installed in a direct configuration at the cell site 26. In particular, FIG. 4 corresponds to like elements described with respect to FIG. 3 except that the thermal energy transfer element 32 and radios 34 are in a vertical configuration for vertical installation.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of a radio assembly 35 having multiple heatsinkless radios 34 installed in a distant configuration at cell site 26. In particular, the “distant configuration” generally refers to a configuration where one or more thermal energy transfer elements 32 are connected to one or more radios 34 via one or more thermal energy conduits 36 (collectively referred to as thermal energy conduit 36). The thermal energy conduit has a proximal end and distal end where the proximal end.

Radio 34 is removably attachable directly to the thermal energy conduit 36 and not directly to the thermal energy transfer element 32 (as in the direct configuration examples). In one or more embodiments, the thermal energy conduit 36 is a heatpipe plate (e.g., thermal energy transfer plate). The distant configuration advantageously enable more volume efficient thermal cooling because thermal fin design can be in a 360 degree design (as illustrated in FIG. 5). The distant configuration results in a smaller heatsink volume per dissipated watt compared to existing heatsink designs. While FIG. 5 illustrates one permanent and distant configuration thermal energy transfer element 32 for multiple radios 34, the teachings herein are equally applicable to other radio 34, thermal energy conduit 36 and/or thermal energy transfer element 32 configuration. For example, one embodiment of a distant configuration includes two thermal energy transfer elements 32 in a dumbbell configuration or multiple thermal energy transfer elements 32 across a radio 34 array. While FIG. 5 illustrates horizontal embodiment/configuration other orientations are equally applicable such as vertical, diagonal, staggered or stepped configurations. Further, other thermal cooling types and methods can be used with the distant configurations described herein.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of a radio assembly 35 having radio 34 installed in a distant configuration at the cell site 26. In particular, radio 34 is mated to a distant thermal energy transfer element 32 (e.g., thermal energy sink) using a thermal energy conduit 36 (e.g., thermal energy transfer plate 37 with thermal heatpipes). The thermal energy conduit 36 has a proximal end and distal end where the proximal end is directly attached to a first side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate 37. For example, the distal end of the at least one thermal energy conduit 36 is positioned within the thermal energy transfer element 32 (e.g., at least one thermal energy sink/heatsink). The thermal energy transfer element 32 can have the same fin area in a smaller vertical given the 360 degree space for thermal fin design. This results in improved thermal dissipation in a smaller vertical over other configurations. In one or more embodiments, the thermal energy conduit 36 is configured to accept more than one radio at the cell site 26. Further, in one or more embodiments, the thermal energy transfer element 32 can be placed above, below or behind the installed radio 34. The ability to place the thermal energy transfer element 32 above, below, etc. provides more installation flexibility at the cell site 26 where vertical space is limited.

Permanent (and reusable) thermal cooling types at Cell Sites 26 for heatsinkless radios 34

Direct and distant thermal cooling (i.e., direct configuration and distant configuration) using the cell tower 27 (or equivalent mechanical) cell site structure may require different approaches for cooling such as one or more of: natural convection, forced air convection, immersion cooling and liquid cooling. For example, a direct configuration may allow for various cooling methods such as natural convection, forced air convection and where the cell tower (or equivalent cell site) structure becomes the heatsink/thermal energy transfer element 32. The direct configuration may support one or more radios 34 (i.e., heatsinkless radios).

The distant configuration also allows for various cooling methods to be implemented such as natural convection, forced air convection, immersion cooling, liquid cooling and where the cell tower (or equivalent cell site) structure becomes the heatsink/thermal energy transfer element 32. The distant configuration may support one or more radios 34 (i.e., heatsinkless radios). The thermal energy transfer element 32 design and cooling methods used may be based at least on the cell site type.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example method for mounting a radio assembly at a cellular site 26. For example, a person, installer, technician, etc. may perform the steps of FIG. 7 where the first step (Block S100) described below may be the initial cell site 26 setup, and the second step (Block S102) may correspond to the technician taking radio 34 (e.g., new radio 34, replacement radio 34, etc.) to the cell site 26 for installation. A thermal energy transfer element 32 is affixed (Block S100) directly to a structure at the cellular site 26. At least one radio 34 is removably attached directly to the thermal energy transfer element 32 where the at least one radio 34 is in thermal communication with the thermal energy transfer element 32 for transferring thermal energy from the at least one radio 34 to the thermal energy transfer element 32.

According to one or more embodiments, the thermal energy transfer element 32 includes: at least one thermal energy transfer plate 37, at least one thermal energy conduit 36 having a proximal end and distal end where the proximal end is directly attached to a first side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate 37, and at least one thermal energy sink being directly attached to the at least one thermal energy conduit 36 one of at the distal end of the at least one thermal energy conduit 36, in between the proximal end and distal end of the at least one thermal energy conduit 36; and along a length of the at least one thermal energy conduit 36 after the proximal end. The at least one radio 34 is removably attached directly to a second side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate 37 where the second side is different from the first side, and the at least one radio 34 is in thermal communication with the at least one thermal energy sink via the at least one thermal energy transfer plate 37 and at least one thermal energy conduit 36.

According to one or more embodiments, the distal end of the at least one thermal energy conduit 36 is positioned within the at least one thermal energy sink.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one thermal energy conduit 36 and at least one thermal energy transfer plate 37 are a unitary element. In particular, the at least one thermal energy conduit 36 and at least one thermal energy transfer plate 37 may be a one piece construction to distant cooling (e.g., to thermal energy transfer element 32). Alternatively, the at least one thermal energy conduit 36 and at least one thermal energy transfer plate 37 may be separate components that are affixed and/or removably affixed to each other during installation to distant cooling.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one thermal energy sink is configured for one of convention cooling, immersion cooling and liquid cooling.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one radio 34 corresponds to a plurality of radios 34.

According to one or more embodiments, the thermal energy transfer element 32 includes: at least one thermal energy transfer plate 37, a plurality of fins extending from a first side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate 37 where the at least one radio being removably attached directly to a second side of the at least one thermal energy transfer plate 37 where the first side is opposite the second side.

According to one or more embodiments, the at least one radio 34 corresponds to a plurality of radios 34 and the at least one thermal energy transfer plate 37 corresponds to a single thermal energy transfer plate 37, the plurality of radios 34 being removably attached directly to the second side of the single thermal energy transfer plate 37.

According to one or more embodiments, the structure at the cell site 26 is one of a cellular tower 27, rooftop structure, ground mounted structure, outdoor structure and indoor structure.

According to one or more embodiments, a coverage area of the radio assembly associated with one of the outdoor structure and indoor structure is smaller than a coverage area of the radio assembly associated with one of the cellular tower 27, rooftop structure and ground mounted structure.

Therefore, one or more embodiments described herein relate to radios that are designed/manufactured without large integrated heatsinks. The radios are mated/attachable with permanent mounted heatsinks (or equivalent cooling mechanics) at the cell site 26 during final field installation. This design approach results in lighter, more compact, cheaper radios 34 that are much easier and more energy efficient to ship, install and return. Also, permanent heatsinks (or equivalent) are re-useable, designed for optimum cooling and can cool one or more radios 34. One or more embodiments described herein provides one or more of the following advantages:

(1) Separating the heatsink from the radio 34 as described herein provides a compact, light radio 34 that is more efficient to manufacture, ship, install and return. Typical size, weight and volumes reduction is near 50% compared to existing an existing radio with an integrated heatsink.

(2) Improved energy efficiency in global radio shipments such as a significant reduction in the global carbon footprint and improved sustainability over time.

(3) Re-useable permanent heatsinks (e.g., thermal energy transfer elements 32) can be designed with direct or distant heatsinks (or other cooling mechanics).

(4) Alternative permanent site cooling mechanics such as immersion cooling, liquid cooling and/or forced air cooling may be implemented.

(5) Unlike existing integrated heatsink designs - an optimum cooling design is achieved without design compromise for size, weight, volume and cost that must be considered for integrated heatsinks. The result is improved reliability, longer life and lower return probability for thermal issues in the field or at the cell site.

(6) Distant cell site heatsinks (i.e., distant configuration) as described herein can have the same fin area in a smaller vertical implementation and/or provide higher cooling performance when compared to the same vertical implementation using 360 degree fin designs.

(7) Permanent heatsink solutions (direct or indirect/distant configuration) can be scaled to cool a plurality of radios 34 at the same time.

(8) On cell site reusable permanent heatsinks (e.g., thermal energy transfer element 32) can be designed for higher cooling capability than existing systems such as to enable higher RF output power levels that may be required in future wireless communications (e.g., future 3GPP based wireless communication systems). The same permanent heatsink can used for multiple network radio upgrades over time.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the concepts described herein may be embodied as a method, data processing system, computer program product and/or computer storage media storing an executable computer program. Accordingly, the concepts described herein may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects all generally referred to herein as a “circuit” or “module.” Any process, step, action and/or functionality described herein may be performed by, and/or associated to, a corresponding module, which may be implemented in software and/or firmware and/or hardware. Furthermore, the disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a tangible computer usable storage medium having computer program code embodied in the medium that can be executed by a computer. Any suitable tangible computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, electronic storage devices, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Some embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, systems and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer (to thereby create a special purpose computer), special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory or storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

It is to be understood that the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the operational illustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the concepts described herein may be written in an object oriented programming language such as Python, Java® or C++. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of the disclosure may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

Abbreviations that may be used in the preceding description include:

Abbreviations Explanation

FDD Frequency Division Duplexing MIMO Multiple Input, Multiple Output

TDD Time Division Duplexing

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the following claims.