Wind Turbine Cellular Tower
The Problem
Rural
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
The
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 turbine blade’s connection with the
main shaft. At turbine blade’s connection with the wind turbine’s
main shaft, the wired connection from the RF antenna is attached to a slip ring
which, in turn, is connected to an antenna radio
In various
options the antenna radio 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 a turbine blade so that a turbine
blade does not interfere with the communication between it and the next base
station site
The RF
antenna is integrated within the turbine blade on which it is
found. In some options, particularly large turbine blades where the
turbine blades are large enough that a person is able to stand inside of
the turbine
blade, the integration may include mounting an antenna in that space inside
of the turbine blade. In alternatives, particularly with smaller
turbine blades where the turbine blade 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
that would conform 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
antennae is designed to 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. 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). Typically a wind turbine will support only one cellular
provider, i.e., having all turbine blades with integrated antennae configured
to support the frequency(ies) and/or format(s) of a
single cellular provider
The cellular
system of the wind turbine, which includes the RF antennae, the antenna radio,
and the microwave communications, and the interconnecting elements may be
powered by batteries using power generated by the wind turbine in which the
cellular system is incorporated
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
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 depending on base station capability, low
band (<1GHz) preferred for best coverage, and ORAN, VRAN, multi-operator or
neutral host compatible
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