AISG inline tilt sensor system and method

• US 8,299,962 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2010
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hendrikus A. Le Sage
• Original Assignee: Hendrikus A. Le Sage
• Inventors: Le Sage, Hendrikus A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Issing, Gregory C
• Application Number:
  US12/725,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20100231450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 342/359, 342/372, 343/757, 343/760, 343/850
• US Class Current: 342/359
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/125 Means for positioning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/005 using remotely controlled antenna positioning or scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/08 for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation

Abstract

A system and method is for orientating and monitoring orientation of telecommunications antennas. The system includes an AISG compliant tilt sensor system mounted in-line between a telecommunications antenna enclosure and a communications cable, and positioned to measure the elevation tilt and slant of a telecommunications antenna enclosure relative to a reference axis. The tilt sensor system measures the angle of tilt and angle of slant of the enclosure with respect to a reference axis, and communicates the values through the communications cable using the AISG protocol for analysis by a telecommunications system operator. A printed circuit board with suitable microprocessor and circuitry receives and processes the tilt sensor data and reports directional alignment information to the user via a user interface.

Claims

1. A method for detecting the alignment of a multi-band frequency telecommunications antenna including a bulkhead connector, the method comprising the steps:

providing a single directional sensor system comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), a microprocessor, a first and second connector connected to said PCB, a multi-axis tilt sensor having multiple individual communication ports adapted for measuring tilt and slant of a telecommunications antenna and a weatherproof housing;

providing said telecommunications antenna with multiple remote electrical tilt (RET) remote control units (RCUs) each associated with one of the multi-band frequencies;

providing a user interface adapted for reporting directional data obtained by said directional sensor system to the user;

providing at least one communications cable;

connecting one of said tilt sensor communication ports to each of said at least two RCUs;

connecting said user interface to said single directional sensor system with said at least one communications cable;

mounting the directional sensor system in-line with said bulkhead connector and perpendicular to the antenna;

obtaining directional data associated with the telecommunications antenna with said directional sensor system via said user interface;

determining the proper aiming direction for the communications beam;

comparing the obtained directional antenna data with the determined proper aiming direction;

aligning said telecommunications antenna with the determined proper aiming direction;

providing the measured tilt and slant from the single directional sensor system to each respective RCU; and

controlling the alignment of the antenna based on the measured tilt and slant and the respective frequency.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said antenna bulkhead connector is an eight-pin standardized Antenna Interface Standards Group (AISG) compliant bulkhead connector; and

said communications cable comprises an eight-pin AISG compliant cable connector.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second connectors are eight-pin AISG compliant connectors positioned at 90 degree angles relative to the PCB.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:

said first connector is a “

female”

type connector; and

said second connector is a “

male”

type connector.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step:

securing the antenna to a mast or other structure so that said communications beam is facing the desired direction.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps:

determining the proper aiming direction for the communications beam; and

unsecuring said antenna from said structure, adjusting the direction of said antenna to redirect the communications beam in a desired direction, and resecuring said antenna to said structure.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of mounting said tilt sensor parallel to the surface of said PCB.