Wind Turbine Cellular Tower

 

Rectangle: Rounded Corners: DiagramsThe Problem

Rectangle: Rounded Corners: Wind TurbineRural communities and areas often find mobile-phone service to be limited in options and availability.  One can look at coverage maps of the many cell-phone service providers to see that there are large areas of the United States, typically rural areas with little population, where cell-phone service is not available. For the service providers, placing towers in those rural areas is an expensive investment with low likelihood of a return

 

While mobile-phone service is sparse in rural communities, these same areas are being “populated” with wind farms to generate clean (i.e., no carbon emissions) energy.  Wind turbines are typically, though not exclusively, located on top of hills in rural and remote locations in open areas to maximize the capture of wind energy and around 90 meters in height

 

Rectangle: Rounded Corners: Wind TurbineThe Solution

An omni-directional radio frequency (RF) antenna suitable for receiving and transmitting cell-phone communication data is on each blade of a wind turbine.  Each RF antenna has a wired connection that passes from the antenna through the turbine blade to the connection with the main shaft. At turbine blade’s connection with the wind turbine’s main shaft, the wired connection from the antenna is attached to a slip ring which, in turn, is connected to a radio unit

 

The RF antenna is integrated within the turbine blade. In some options, particularly large turbine blades where the turbine blades are large enough that a person is able to stand inside, the integration may include mounting an antenna in that space inside of the turbine blade. In alternatives, particularly with smaller turbine blades where it would not support mounting an antenna internally, the antenna may be integrated with the turbine blade material. In the latter instances, the antenna is not exposed at the surface; at least some of the turbine blade material will cover the antenna.  In either instance, the RF antenna is formed in dimensions to the available space and/or shape of the turbine blade into which it is integrated. Further still, irrespective of the manner in which the antenna is integrated in the turbine blade, the design does not have any effect on the aerodynamics of the turbine blades or their operation as part of the wind turbine

 

While turbine blades vary between 18 and 100+ meters in length, the RF antenna is typically located between 3 and 8 meters from the connection to the wind turbine’s main axle and center of rotation for clearance plus diversity. Generally wind turbines utilize three blades, though the design is not limited to having this. Each RF antenna may correspond to operating on distinct frequencies and cellular formats from the antennae of other turbine blades of the wind turbine (i.e., supporting distinct cellular providers). However typically a wind turbine will support only one cellular provider, i.e., having all turbine blade antennae configured to support the frequency(ies) and/or format(s) of a single cellular provider

 

The cellular system of the wind turbine may be powered by batteries charged by the wind turbine in which the cellular system is incorporated for continual operation

 

In various options the antenna radio unit is connected to a microwave radio of any applicable band that communicates with another cellular base station site and to its core network. The microwave antenna is located on or near the wind turbine’s tower below the lowest extent of turbine blades so they do not interfere with the communication between it and the next site when rotating

 

Alternatively the system may communicate with other cellular base stations and core network via physical instead of a microwave connection.  For example, an alternatively configured cellular system may include a controller that communicates data over a fiber optic or wired connection, or a combination, or even satellite

 

Summary       

Systems provide very wide area coverage as generally on high sites and tall towers to fill in coverage in hard-to-reach areas and roads that normally wouldn’t be possible either due to siting regulations or not being economical so no need for new sites and associated zoning, regulatory approvals and thus no environmental or visual impacts

 

Much improved customer experience with seamless service and no dependence on limitations and expense of fill-in roaming or satellite coverage alternatives

 

Multi-technology capable so can be used for 4G, 5G and 6G when available, and any combinations. Can operate in any frequency bands, low band (<1GHz) preferred for best coverage along with mid band (2-6GHz) for capacity, and ORAN, VRAN, multi-operator, private network and neutral host compatible

 

Equally applicable for new wind turbine builds but also when doing upgrades such as replacing the blades which fatigue and are usually replaced every 10 to 20 years to prevent consequences

 

Can be used both inland and offshore, individual sites or in windfarms with highly reliability, low maintenance and very stable power from local batteries charged by the wind turbine

 

Scaled down versions can be used for localized wind turbines for industrial, residential and other areas as Small Cells for added coverage, capacity and in building penetration, primarily in higher frequency bands

 

Flexible connectivity with other sites and core network via fiber, copper, microwave or even satellite. And totally transparent and complementary to wind turbine primary role of generating clean energy

 

Ultimate green cellular mobile coverage solution for rural and difficult to cover areas

 

 

Patent pending - 63/651,895

 

 

Based in Arizona USA, for more information contact via info@microcellularsystems.com