Antenna Orientation Sensor

• US 7,777,480 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2007
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Andrew LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wolfe, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITTINGTON, KENNETH
• Application Number:
  US11/852,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20090066323A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,074 Days
• Field of Search: 324/202, 324/247, 324/260, 324/261, 333/56, 333/57, 73/17.5, 73/17.6, 342/359
• US Class Current: 324/202
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 17/38 Testing, calibrating, or compensating of compasses
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 25/00 Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass testing, calibrating or compensating compasses G01C17/38
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/125 Means for positioning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/18 Means for stabilising antennas on an unstable platform
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/08 for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation

Abstract

An antenna orientation sensor, having a base, a pivoting support coupled to the base. An actuator operable to move the pivoting support through a calibration movement with respect to the base. A magnetic sensor on the pivoting support and a position sensor operable to sense the position of the pivoting support within the calibration movement.

Claims

1. An antenna orientation sensor, for mounting upon an antenna arrangement, comprising:

a base configured for coupling to the antenna arrangement wherein the antenna orientation sensor contacts the antenna arrangement only via the base;

a pivoting support coupled to the base;

a magnetic sensor on the pivoting support;

an actuator operable to move the pivoting support through a calibration movement with respect to the base; and

a position sensor sensing the position of the pivoting support within the calibration movement.

2. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor is a three axis magnetic sensor.

3. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 1, wherein the position sensor is an optical sensor.

4. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 1, wherein the position sensor is a two axis accelerometer.

5. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 1, wherein the pivoting support is a printed circuit board.

6. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 5, wherein the printed circuit board further includes a microcontroller coupled to the magnetic sensor and the position sensor.

7. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 6, wherein an output of the microcontroller controls the actuator.

8. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 6, wherein the microcontroller is coupled to a transceiver;

the transceiver in communication with a remote controller.

9. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 8, wherein the communication between the transceiver and the remote controller is via a communication network.

10. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 1, wherein the pivoting support is a printed circuit board;

and

the position sensor is a two axis accelerometer mounted upon the printed circuit board.

11. An antenna orientation sensor, for mounting upon an antenna arrangement, comprising:

a base configured for coupling to the antenna arrangement, wherein the antenna orientation sensor contacts the antenna arrangement only via the base;

a printed circuit board pivotally coupled to the base;

a three axis magnetic sensor and a two axis accelerometer on the printed circuit board;

a microcontroller on the printed circuit board receiving inputs from the three axis magnetic sensor and the two axis accelerometer;

an actuator operable to move the printed circuit board through a calibration movement with respect to the base; and

a position sensor sensing the position of the printed circuit board within the calibration movement.

12. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 11, further including a global positioning circuit coupled to the microcontroller.