Method of Acquiring, Auditing and Interpreting Radiation Data for Wireless Network Optimization

• US 20160269917A1
• Filed: 03/11/2015
• Published: 09/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ontegrity, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ontegrity, Inc.
• Inventors: Hillegas, William A. Jr., Marku, Mirela
• Application Number:
  US14/644,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20160269917A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/12 of transmit antennas, e.g. of the amplitude or phase
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/336 Signal-to-interference ratio [SIR] or carrier-to-interference ratio [CIR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition

Abstract

The present invention is a method for surveying, monitoring and auditing cell towers and antennas emitting radiation such as radio frequency and infra-red radiation using unmanned aerial vehicles. The method employs vertical measurements of signal strength, interference and radiation with a mobile platform for evaluating test data and optimizing network performance and safety. The invention is particularly suited for monitoring and auditing RF antennas situated in a variety of terrains.

Claims

1. A method for measuring radiation, comprising steps of:

determining a location of a radiation source;

moving an aerial vehicle along a first flight path at a first altitude proximate to the radiation source;

sensing a first radiation strength value emanating from the radiation source;

moving the aerial vehicle along a second flight path at a second altitude proximate to the radiation source;

sensing a second radiation strength value emanating from the radiation source;

storing the first and second strength values of radiation emanating from the radiation source and storing the first and second altitudes;

associating the first strength value with the first altitude, and the second strength value with the second altitude.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of transmitting the first and second strength values and the first and second altitudes to a receiver.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerial vehicle traverses a circumference about the radiation source at the first altitude and at the second altitude.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of comparing the first strength value associated with the first altitude with the second strength value associated with the second altitude and applying an algorithm to determine a composite field strength value.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of rendering the first and second strength values in a three-dimensional display of a radiation pattern.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of sensing an interference signal and recording the interference signal.

7. A method for measuring radiation, comprising steps of:

determining a location of a radiation source;

moving an aerial vehicle along a first flight path at a first altitude proximate to the radiation source;

sensing a first radiation strength value emanating from the radiation source;

moving the aerial vehicle along a second flight path at a second altitude proximate to the radiation source;

sensing a second radiation strength value emanating from the radiation source;

transmitting the first and second strength values of radiation emanating from the radiation source and the first and second altitudes proximate to the radiation source to a base unit;

the base unit communicating with a processor to associating the first strength value with the first altitude, and the second strength value with the second altitude.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the aerial vehicle traverses a circumference about the radiation source at the first altitude and at the second altitude.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising a step of comparing the first strength value associated with the first altitude with the second strength value associated with the second altitude and applying an algorithm to determine a composite field strength value.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising a step of rendering the first and second strength values in a three-dimensional display of a radiation pattern.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising a step of sensing an interference signal and transmitting the interference signal.