CONFIGURATION AND ALIGNMENT TOOL FOR COMPUTER NETWORK RADIO EQUIPMENT

• US 20100008266A1
• Filed: 07/08/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harris Global Communications, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Reda, Michael, MacLeod, Ian
• Granted Patent: US 7,782,861 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/277
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/23 Indication means, e.g. displays, alarms, audible means
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting

Abstract

A compact tool (100) for network radios implementing bidirectional data communication links in computer networks. The tool is formed of a compact chassis or body (101) that can be conveniently stored in a user'"'"'s pocket. A control processor (502) contained within the chassis is coupled to a data network communications module (506), including an integrated connector (616). The control processor (502) and data network communications module is configured exclusively for communicating with the network radio. Such interface communications are performed using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and/or telnet protocols. Using these communication protocols, the tool (100) can access radio operating data stored or generated by the network radio. The operating data is displayed using a simple integrated display device (514, 614).

Claims

1. A compact tool for a network radio used to implement a bidirectional data communication link in a computer network, comprising:

a compact pocket-sized chassis;

a data network interface for connecting said tool to a network radio;

a control processor coupled to said data network interface and configured exclusively for communicating with said network radio using at least one of Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and telnet to access operating data associated with said network radio;

display means coupled to said control processor and configured for displaying said operating data;

wherein said operating data is a received signal strength indication (RSSI) data identifying a received signal strength of an RF signal used to provide said bidirectional data communication link.

2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein said display means is exclusively configured to display said changing RSSI data in real time, whereby an antenna alignment of said network radio can be performed.

3. The tool according to claim 2, wherein said display means is comprised of a set of indicator segments selected from the group consisting of a plurality of light emitting diodes and a plurality of LCD segments.

4. The tool according to claim 3, wherein said indicator segments define a bar graph.

5. The tool according to claim 1, wherein said data network interface further comprises a data network interface connector, and said control processor is configured to automatically access said RSSI data responsive to insertion of said data network interface connector in a mating connector provided on said network radio.

6. The tool according to claim 1, wherein said data network interface further comprises a data network interface connector integrated into said chassis, wherein said tool can be directly connected to said network radio device.

7. The tool according to claim 1, wherein said network radio device is an Ethernet radio device.

8. The tool according to claim 1, wherein said control processor is further configured to access an internet protocol (IP) address of said radio device using at least one of said SNMP and said telnet processes.

9. The tool according to claim 8, further comprising a plurality of input switches for selecting one or more menu items presented on said display means.

10. The tool according to claim 9, wherein said control processor is responsive to said input switches for displaying said IP address.

11. The tool according to claim 9, wherein said control processor is configured, in response to said input switches, to prompt a user to enter at least one of a user name and password required for configuring said network radio.

12. The tool according to claim 9, wherein said control processor is configured, in response to selection of at least one predetermined menu item, to access from said network radio and display on said display means selected operating data concerning said network radio.

13. The tool according to claim 12, wherein said selected operating data is selected from the group comprising a radio transmit/receive frequency, received signal strength indication information, encoded burst-rate information, channel bandwidth, operational status of the bidirectional data communication link, and a signal to noise ratio.

14. The tool according to claim 12, wherein said control processor is configured, in response to selection of at least one predetermined menu item, to modify selected operating data concerning said network radio.

15. The tool according to claim 14, wherein said selected operating data comprises an IP address of said network radio.

17. The tool according to claim 14, wherein said control processor is configured to automatically access said RSSI data responsive to insertion of said data network interface connector in said mating connector provided on said network radio.

16. A compact tool for a network radio used to implement a bidirectional data communication link in a computer network, comprising:

a compact pocket-sized chassis;

a data network interface including a data network interface connector integrated with said pocket-sized chassis for providing a data connection between said tool and a mating connector of said network radio;

a control processor coupled to said data network interface and configured exclusively for communicating with said network radio using at least one of Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and telnet to exclusively access received signal strength indication (RSSI) data associated with said network radio identifying a received signal strength of an RF signal used to provide said bi-directional data communication link;

display means coupled to said control processor and configured to display said changing RSSI data in real time, whereby an antenna alignment of said network radio can be performed.

18. A compact tool for a network radio used to implement a bidirectional data communication link in a computer network, comprising:

a compact pocket-sized chassis;

a data network interface for connecting said tool to a network radio;

a control processor coupled to said data network interface and configured exclusively for communicating with said network radio using at least one of Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and telnet to access operating data associated with said network radio;

display means coupled to said control processor;

a plurality of input switches for selecting one or more menu items presented on said display means;

wherein said control processor is configured, in response to selection of at least one predetermined menu item, to access from said network radio and display on said display means selected operating data concerning said network radio.

19. The tool according to claim 18, wherein said selected operating data is selected from the group comprising a radio transmit/receive frequency, received signal strength indication information, encoded burst-rate information, channel bandwidth, operational status of the bidirectional data communication link, and a signal to noise ratio.

20. The tool according to claim 18, wherein said control processor is configured, in response to selection of at least one predetermined menu item, to modify selected operating data concerning said network radio.

21. The tool according to claim 20, wherein said selected operating data comprises at least one of an IP address, a radio transmit/receive frequency, an encoded burst-rate, and a channel bandwidth.