Patent attributes
A data communications device, such as a router, is configured for use in an outdoor environment. The router includes wireless communications circuit boards mounted within an environmentally sealed housing. The housing protects the circuit boards from exposure to extreme environmental conditions such as relatively high temperatures, rain, or snow to maintain the operability of the router. The router also includes a thermal transfer assembly disposed within the sealed housing that conducts heat away from the router's circuit board components. Because the thermal transfer assembly operates using conduction rather than convection, the data communications device does not require the use of a fan assembly to remove heat from the circuit board components. This minimizes the overall size and weight of the data communications device, allowing the device to be deployed in a variety of outdoor locations, such as traffic signal poles, curb side cabinets, or vehicles.
