Method for aiming and adjusting microwave antenna during installation, and apparatus

• US 6,836,675 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2002
• Issued: 12/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Franklin Zhigang Zhang
• Original Assignee: Franklin Zhigang Zhang
• Inventors: Zhang, Franklin Zhigang
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, DANH C
• Application Number:
  US10/039,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20020090941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 455/562.1, 455/561, 455/25, 455/73, 455/63.4, 455/67.11, 455/67.15, 343/878, 343/882, 343/894, 342/357.01, 342/357.02, 342/357.08
• US Class Current: 455/562.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1257 using the received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition

Abstract

The present invention disclosures a method for aiming antennas during the installation of microwave communication systems. By computerized link quality monitoring mechanism, the software of the computer system can monitor the link quality of the link during the aiming of the installation. The link quality comprises the performance of data communication status, and the signal strength and noise tests result. By aiming and installing the antenna at the best link quality direction, the microwave communication system will work at best performance status. The software system also will guide the installer to follow certain procedures and finally affix and aim the antenna to the best direction. There are no extra equipments, such as high cost spectrum analyzer needed. And also, no super high-skilled microwave experts are needed to install and setup the microwave communication system.

Claims

1. A method of achieving best wireless link status of microwave communication system by aiming the antennas at the best direction comprising the steps of:

a) installing a first microwave antenna and the radio system behinds;

b) setting the first antenna and radio system in working status, which is capable to communicate with the second antenna and radio system behind;

c) placing a second microwave antenna in a distance from the first microwave antenna;

make any setup, which is necessary for the two radio systems behind the antennas are able to communicate to each other;

d) turning the second microwave antenna in a substantially circular horizontal direction and using a computerized monitoring system to monitor and record link qualities and corresponding horizontal positions of the link qualities continuously while the second antenna is turning until the second microwave antenna makes a complete circle;

e) affixing the second microwave antenna horizontally in a best horizontal position wherein such best horizontal position has a best link quality;

f) turning the second microwave antenna in two substantially vertical opposing directions and using the computerized monitoring system to monitor and record vertical link qualities and corresponding vertical positions of the vertical link qualities continuously while the second antenna is turning vertically;

g) affixing the second microwave antenna vertically in a best vertical position wherein such best vertical position has a best link quality; and

wherein the second microwave antenna is placed in the best link quality position in relationship to the first microwave antenna.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first microwave antenna is capable of both emitting and receiving microwave signals.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second microwave antenna is capable of both emitting and receiving microwave signals.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the distance between the first microwave antenna and the second microwave antenna is limited to capabilities of the microwave antennas and the radio systems behind receiving workable microwave signals from each other.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the link quality is a tests result of the communicating status between two radio systems via the antennas.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the tests result comprises physical layer, communication test results.

7. The physical layer test result of claim 6 comprises the radio frequency (RF) signal strength and noise detected by a radio receiver.

8. The communication test of claim 6 is a data communication tests result.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the computerized monitoring system is capable of monitoring link quality, recording the link qualities and their corresponding positions, displaying and audio indicating information, indicating the direction to turn and the best aiming direction to reach.