Method of and apparatus for antenna alignment
First Claim
1. A waggle tool comprising:
- a first attachment element for removably attaching to an antenna mounting member;
a threaded sleeve member affixed to said first attachment element;
a threaded bushing for threadably engaging said threaded sleeve member;
a waggle member for rotating said threaded bushing;
a second attachment element for removably attaching to an antenna mounting base member, said second attachment element operatively connected to said threaded bushing; and
a biasing member adapted for biasing said first attachment member apart from said second attachment member;
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alignment mechanism to assist in antenna alignment is described. The alignment mechanism has a first attachment element for removably attaching to an antenna mounting member, a threaded sleeve member affixed to the first attachment element, a threaded bushing for threadably engaging the threaded sleeve member, and a handle member provided for rotating the threaded bushing. A second attachment element is provided for removably attaching to an antenna mounting base member. The second attachment element is operatively connected to the threaded bushing. A biasing member is adapted for biasing the first attachment member apart from the second attachment member. An adjustment member is threadably connected to the second attachment element and operatively connected to the threaded bushing, the adjustment member for selectively adjusting an axial distance between the first attachment member and the second attachment member. The alignment mechanism is used to align an antenna by affixing an alignment mechanism to an orienting member and to a stationary member on an antenna mounting assembly by noting a preliminary length of the alignment mechanism and noting the signal strength at a first antenna orientation. The alignment mechanism is then expanded by a select length, which changes the orientation of the dish in a first direction. The signal strength at a second antenna orientation is then noted and the alignment mechanism is contracted by a select length, which changes the orientation of the antenna in a second direction. The signal strength at a third antenna orientation is noted. The alignment mechanism is returned to the preliminary length by means of a centering or camming member. If necessary, a length of the alignment mechanism is adjusted to obtain a new preliminary length and the steps of expanding and contracting the alignment mechanism until the preliminary length corresponds to signal strength that is stronger than the signal strength at the second antenna orientation and the third antenna orientation. The antenna is then secured in a desired orientation.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A waggle tool comprising:
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a first attachment element for removably attaching to an antenna mounting member;
a threaded sleeve member affixed to said first attachment element;
a threaded bushing for threadably engaging said threaded sleeve member;
a waggle member for rotating said threaded bushing;
a second attachment element for removably attaching to an antenna mounting base member, said second attachment element operatively connected to said threaded bushing; and
a biasing member adapted for biasing said first attachment member apart from said second attachment member;
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An antenna alignment system comprising:
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an antenna mounting assembly adapted for select positioning and securing of an antenna; and
a waggle tool adapted for coupling to said antenna mounting assembly for select adjustment of the antenna into a first set position and a subsequent, staged waggle movement thereabout. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of aligning an antenna at peak signal strength using an alignment mechanism, comprising the steps of:
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affixing an alignment mechanism to an orienting member and to a stationary member on an antenna mounting assembly;
noting a preliminary length of said alignment mechanism;
noting a signal strength at a first antenna orientation;
expanding said alignment mechanism by a select length, thereby changing an orientation of said dish in a first direction;
noting a signal strength at a second antenna orientation;
contracting said alignment mechanism by a select length, thereby changing said orientation of said antenna in a second direction;
noting a signal strength at a third antenna orientation;
returning said alignment mechanism to said preliminary length;
adjusting a length of said alignment mechanism to obtain a new preliminary length;
its repeating said steps of expanding and contracting said alignment mechanism until said preliminary length corresponds to a signal strength that is stronger than said signal strength at said second antenna orientation and said third antenna orientation; and
securing said antenna in a desired orientation.
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31. A method for aligning an antenna, comprising:
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setting a coarse position of the antenna; and
setting a fine position of the antenna, comprising;
a. waggling the antenna and taking limit signal measurements, b. adjusting the antenna center position in a direction of a desired signal characteristic obtained from said limit signal measurements; and
c. repeating steps a and b until limit signal measurements indicate that the antenna is positioned for said desired signal characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. Antenna alignment system, comprising:
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first means for setting a coarse position of the antenna; and
second means for setting a fine position of the antenna;
comprising;
a) means for waggling the antenna about a center position; and
b) means for selectively adjusting the antenna center position.
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34. An antenna alignment mechanism for use with an adjustable antenna mount having a moveable member that is coupled to an antenna and so configured that movement of the moveable member causes the antenna to make an alignment adjustment, an antenna alignment mechanism comprising:
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a selectively extensible and contractible operator mechanically coupled to said moveable member such that extension and contraction thereof about a center dimension causes said antenna to waggle about a center position; and
means for selectively incrementing or decrementing the center dimension of said operator to change the center position of the antenna. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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37. An antenna alignment system comprising:
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a system of moveable members for effecting a coarse alignment of an antenna;
a fine alignment system, comprising;
a) a selectively extensible and contractible operator mechanically coupled to one or more of said moveable members such that extension and contraction of said operator about a center dimension causes said antenna to waggle about a center position; and
b) means for selectively incrementing or decrementing the center dimension of said operator to change the center position of the antenna. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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Specification