A LOW PIM PASSIVE CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR CELLULAR NETWORKS

Abstract

At radio frequencies and in particular those associated with LTE and 4G telecommunications in the region of 1 GHz and above, inherent problems have been found with historically employed interconnections that lead to distortions and impairments to the transmitted signal generically termed PIM. This invention relates to creation of a connector system that separates the mechan cal connection features from the forward and return transmission path components by use of non-conductive connector bodies and WaveWay a carefully shaped constrained linear signal path with low resistance and capacitance mating surfaces limiting parallel path distortions and smoother shapes to limit 3rd harmonic and other distortions and lower pressure contact requirements to provide at least equivalent PIM performance to conventional connectors at lower frequencies 800 MHz and improved PIM performance at 1 GHz and above.

Claims

1. An RF coaxial connector which incorporates a constrained electromagnetic screen or outer contact WaveWay which is formed from a single element independent uni-structure that is isolated from all other transmission paths and sources of electrical interference within and or without the Connector Housings throughout its entireness and is electrically independent to any substrate with the ability to carry signal or interference within or without the connector.

2. An RF coaxial connector claimed in 1 that incorporates non-ferrous Connector Housings

3. An RF coaxial connector claimed in 1&2 that displays no magnetic or harmonic effects

4. An RF coaxial connector claimed in 1&2 that incorporates a method of dampening vibrations, Microphonics and harmonics

5. An RF coaxial connector claimed in 1&2 that prevents eddy currents parallel signal paths and hysteresis

6. A WaveWay claimed in 1 that may also incorporate at least one longitudinal split.

7. A WaveWay claimed in 1&6 that incorporates a constructional design or form essentially in the inverse to and co-operating with the form or configuration of an undulating electromagnetic screen and return transmission path of a broadcast cable.

8. A WaveWay claimed in 1, 6&7 that incorporates a Conical Mating Feature at the inter-Mating Feature in the inverse design of its opposite gender

9. A WaveWay claimed int fabricated of a non-metal substrate and coated with a conductive material.

10. A WaveWay claimed in 1 that incorporates a method of preventing microscopic separations throughout its transmission pathway

11. A WaveWay claimed in 1 that provides a linear transmission pathway which prevents parallel transmission paths

12. A WaveWay claimed in 1 that incorporates a method of promoting enhanced electrical performance between conjoined surfaces

13. An RF coaxial connector claimed in 1 that incorporates a method of preventing a female contact from splaying or relaxing when conjoined with a male contact

14. An RF coaxial connector claimed in 1 that incorporates a method of preventing microscopic separation between male and female contacts

15. An RF coaxial connector that incorporates a method of preventing corrosion

16. An RF coaxial connector that prevents ingress without the use of moulded hoods, shrouds or covers.

17. A connector that incorporates a method of fluid repulsion

18. An RF coaxial connector claimed in 1 that incorporates a method of providing a low compression force gas tight field termination

19. An RF coaxial connector claimed that incorporates a low compression force method of attachment to cable which forms an almost indestructible union or bond to cable that unless disassembled requires such forces as are necessary to destroy the physical form of the cable and or connector to break that is achievable without tools by hand torqueing

20. An RF coaxial connector claimed in 1 that incorporates a grip-twist method of conjoining connectors.

21. An RF coaxial connector claimed in 1 that may not conform to all published standard dimensions of industry standard connectors such as but not limited to 7-16 but is nevertheless inter-connectable and may conjoin with them to provide a conduit for electrical signals, impulse or radio waves.

22. An RF connector that incorporates a method of providing a functional fit to all major manufacturers 7-16 connectors and may conjoin with those connectors to provide a conduit for electrical signals, impulses or radio waves with at least comparable PIM performance to that of said individual manufacturer as if the manufacturers own connectors had been fitted together

23. An RF coaxial connector that incorporates a method of reducing PIM in electronic signal transmissions within the designated operational frequencies of cellular communications

24. At least one RF coaxial connector as claimed in 1 that has RF cable attached to it.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

List of Figures

[0028] FIG. 1. Side Elevation of Assembled WaveWay Connector

[0029] FIG. 2. Male Connector End Elevation Showing Section Line X-X

[0030] FIG. 3. Section View of Assembled Connector on X-X

[0031] FIG. 4. Detail of Section View on X-X of Mated Connector

[0032] FIG. 5. Split Female WaveWay

[0033] FIG. 6. View of Assembled Connector Sectioned on X-X

[0034] FIG. 7. Interconnected Male and Female WaveWays

[0035] FIG. 8. View of Mated Split Clamshell WaveWays

[0036] FIG. 9. View of Unmated Split Clamshell WaveWays

[0037] FIG. 10. Section View of Male Connector for Ribbed Undulating Cable. WaveWay in Black WaveWay adaptor shaded

[0038] FIG. 11. Exploded Part Section View of Male Connector for Ribbed Undulating Cable. Cable removed for clarity. WaveWay in Black. WaveWay Adaptor shaded

[0039] FIG. 12. Splice Connection Housing View with Cable Nuts

[0040] FIG. 13. Open Splice Connection Housing Exploded View Showing Main Components

[0041] FIG. 14. Open Splice Connection Housing Exploded View

[0042] FIG. 15. Male WaveWay Convertor Assembly

[0043] FIG. 16. Male WaveWay Convertor Assembly internals Section

[0044] FIG. 17. Section View of Male WaveWay Convertor AssemblyReference Mating Parts in Black

[0045] FIG. 18. Section View of Female WaveWay ConvertorReference Mating Parts in Black

KEY TO NUMBERS

[0046] 1. Cable Locknut [0047] 2. Female Connector Housing [0048] 3. Male Connector Locknut [0049] 4. Male Connector Housing [0050] 5. Cable Locknut [0051] 6. Female Connector Dielectric [0052] 7. Male Connector Dielectric [0053] 8. Cable Seal O Ring [0054] 9. Cable Seal O Ring [0055] 10. Cable Lock & Seal Ring [0056] 11. Female Contact [0057] 12. Female Connector WaveWay [0058] 13. Contact Closing Collet [0059] 14. Male Contact [0060] 15. Male Connector WaveWay [0061] 16. Cable Lock and Seal Ring [0062] 17. Cable Seal O Ring [0063] 18. Cable Seal O Ring [0064] 19. Male Connector Housing Nose Seal O Ring [0065] 20. Male Connector Housing Locknut Seal O Ring [0066] 21. Male Connector Housing Locknut Retaining O Ring [0067] 22. Female Connector WaveWay Undulating Waveform Shape [0068] 23. Male Connector WaveWay Undulating Waveform Shape [0069] 24. Female Connector WaveWay Conical Mating Feature [0070] 25. Male Connector WaveWay Conical Mating Feature [0071] 26. Female Connector Dielectric Contact Guide Aperture [0072] 27. Male Connector Dielectric Contact Guide Aperture [0073] 28. WaveWay Adaptor [0074] 29. Longitudinally Split Male WaveWay [0075] 30. Corrugated Cable Screen [0076] 31. Cable Forward Path Conductor [0077] 32. Longitudinally Split Female WaveWay [0078] 33. Clamshell design Splice Housing [0079] 34. Cable Compression Locknut [0080] 35. Male Locking Latch [0081] 36. Female Locking Latch [0082] 37. Splice Housing O Ring [0083] 38. Cable Compression Locknut O Ring [0084] 39. Upstanding Registration Spigots [0085] 40. Recessed Registration pockets [0086] 41. Upstanding Sealing Feature [0087] 42. Recessed Sealing Feature [0088] 43. Converter WaveWay Male Step Feature [0089] 44. Dummy Female Reference Part for fit checking [0090] 45. Dummy Male Reference Part for fit checking [0091] 46. Living Hinge [0092] 47. WaveWay External Undulations [0093] 48. Splice Housing Smooth Internal Body

A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FORM

[0094] The Figures show preferred embodiment forms of the new connector that incorporates a Connector Housing as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 Nos. 2, 4 that is essentially manufactured from a non-metal substrate such as plastic, ceramic, glass or rubber or a composite thereof or any other non-metallic material and an Electromagnetic Screen and Return Signal Path FIGS. 3, 7 Nos.12, 15 the WaveWay formed essentially in a spiral Undulating Waveform Shape FIG. 4 Nos. 22, 23 at the rear where it conjoins and co-operates with the similar undulating shape of the cable, and at the front with a Conical Mating Feature FIG. 9 Nos. 24, 25 where it conjoins and co-operates with a connector of its opposing gender. The described WaveWay may be moulded into the interior of the non-metal Connector Housing structure and be selectively coated with any material displaying the desired electromagnetic and conductive qualities.

[0095] There will now be described further embodiments of the WaveWay;

[0096] Said WaveWays may alternatively preferably be formed of separate components to the Connector Housing structure as shown in FIG. 7 constructed from any material with desired electromagnetic qualities such as copper and or any other type of material conductive or non-conductive selectively coated with a material that has the desired electromagnetic and conductive qualities.

[0097] A further preferred embodiment of the described WaveWay may incorporate at least one Longitudinal Split FIG. 5 to allow initial expansion for fitment over a non-spiral ribbed form of Cable Electromagnetic Screen and Return Signal Path FIG. 10 No. 30 that may be radially compressible by a compression tool to assure maximum conjoined surface area between the two. Alternatively compression and fit to the Connector Housing may be effected by the fitment of a WaveWay Adaptor FIG. 10 No. 28 that may incorporate a conically shaped spiral or threaded exterior which cooperates with the internal design of the Connector Housing to which it may be fitted to unify the structure, seal, protect and assist in forming the compression fit to the cable in order to assure maximum conjoined surface area with the Cable Electromagnetic Screen and Return Signal Path and WaveWay described herein so as to ensure maximum microscopic adherence.

[0098] A further embodiment of the WaveWay is of clam-shell design as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 formed essentially in two halves and incorporating described WaveWay Adaptor.

[0099] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a Male WaveWay and Adaptor with Longitudinal splits.

[0100] A further embodiment may be a bespoke Convertor WaveWay FIGS. 15, 16, 17 which incorporates a Step Feature within the Male WaveWay FIG. 16 No. 43 and Inter-Mating Features of the exact dimensions of any other manufacturers' connector an example of which is shown in FIGS. 17, 18 Nos. 44, 45 so as to effect perfect compatibility with any other manufacturers' connecters.

[0101] A preferred embodiment of the Connector Housings preferably incorporates a Male

[0102] Connector Locknut FIGS. 1, 3, 4 No. 3 with a helix thread on the interior wall and a co-operating helix thread on the exterior of the Female Connector Housing FIGS. 1, 3, 4 No. 2 to effect an efficient coupling. A preferred embodiment of the Male Locknut and Female Connector Housing may preferably incorporate a hand grip Handigrip of any design in addition to a conventional spanner flat to be configured on the exterior shape in order to effect a rapid and convenient quick-twist method of conjoining connectors.

[0103] The Male Contact FIG. 3, 4 No. 14 of the embodiment preferably incorporates an independent Contact Closing Collet FIGS. 3, 4 No. 13 preferably but not necessarily manufactured from a non-metallic substrate designed to fit over the Male Contact and whose function is to constrain the Female Contact FIGS. 3, 4 No. 11 when conjoined and to stop it from splaying or relaxing its grip over time and in so doing to facilitate maximum conjoined surface area and microscopic adhesion when mated with its opposite gender thereby to reduce resistances and capacitive couplings in order to facilitate a more efficient transmission pathway and reduce contributory factors to PIM.

[0104] Conversely the Contact Closing Collet may be formed from a metallic substrate or form part of the structure of the Male Contact.

[0105] A preferred connector embodiment preferably incorporates Connector Dielectric components FIG. 3 Nos. 6, 7 with a Connector Dielectric Contact Guide Aperture FIG. 4 Nos. 26, 27 to ensure centrality and concentricity of the contacts.

[0106] A preferred embodiment preferably also incorporates a rear compression Cable Locknut FIGS. 1, 3 Nos. 1, 5 incorporating at least one compression Cable Lock and Seal Ring FIG. 3 Nos. 10, 16 whose function is to decouple the WaveWay from retention stresses and to seal and protect the connector from water, dust or ingress by any other deleterious material. To ensure a high pressure gas tight seal at these locations each Cable Seal Locknut is provided with at least one Cable Seal O Ring FIG. 3 Nos. 8, 9, 17, 18.

[0107] A further preferred embodiment preferably incorporates a Male Connector Locknut incorporating at least one Male Connector Housing Nose Seal O Ring FIG. 4 No. 19 and a Male Connector Housing Locknut Seal O Ring FIG. 4 No. 20 to seal and protect the connector from water, dust or ingress from any other deleterious material through the connector conjoining joining Locknut.

[0108] FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 represent an alternative embodiment of the concept using alternatively; a Monocoque WaveWay as depicted in FIGS. 1 through 7 or a Clamshell WaveWay as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, retained within a Clamshell design Splice Housing with Locking Latches FIG. 13 No. 33 terminated with Compression Cable Locknuts Figure. 13 No. 34.

[0109] FIG. 12 shows a closed housing No. 33 with Cable Compression Locknuts and hinge 46. FIGS. 13 and 14 show an open Splice Housing containing Monocoque WaveWay and dielectric components.

[0110] The described Splice Housing may preferably exhibit all the same beneficial properties as afore ascribed to the Male and Female Connector Housings and is provided with internal recesses that cooperate with the WaveWay external Mating

[0111] Features to allow a close radial fit but are smooth FIG. 14 No. 48 to provide a loose sliding fit to the WaveWay external undulations 47. On closing the Splice Housing FIG. 12 Upstanding Registration Spigots FIG. 13 No. 39 cooperate with Recessed Registration Pockets FIG. 13 No. 40 to assist in alignment prevent disturbance of Upstanding Sealing Features FIG. 14 No. 41 and recesses FIG. 14 No. 42 and prevent ingress. A Living Hinge FIG. 13 No. 46 is moulded within the housing to provide a means of opening and closing the connector. Splice Housing Locking Latches FIG. 13 Nos. 35, 36 which may take several alternative forms lock the connector.

[0112] Cable Compression Locknuts may then be tightened to compress the WaveWays together to ensure good electrical connectivity.

[0113] Cable Compression Locknut O Rings FIG. 13 No. 38 and Splice Housing O Ring FIG. 13 No. 37 are provided to fit inside the Cable Compression Locknuts to provide a gas tight fit.

[0114] This embodiment maintains a relatively small diameter such that a simple parallel tubular heat shrink may be applied over the entire assembly and heat shrunk to fit to provide a high integrity atmospheric seal suitable for underwater and similar applications.

[0115] All the aforesaid embodiments may incorporate Super Nano Hydrophobic matter to provide the connector with fluid repulsion properties the better to seal and protect the transmission elements from fluid ingress and subsequent galvanic corrosion.