Apparatus and methods for snow and ice detection and removal on a communication antenna
First Claim
1. A method of detecting and removing snow and/or ice on a communication antenna, the method comprising:
- receiving environmental data indicative of at least one current environmental condition affecting the communication antenna;
transmitting an optical signal from a signaling structure of the communication antenna toward a reflecting surface of the communication antenna;
receiving the optical signal at the signaling structure upon returning from the reflecting surface;
processing the returning optical signal to determine at least one characteristic value of the returning optical signal; and
heating the reflecting surface if the environmental data indicates that ice or snow accumulation on the communication antenna is possible, and the at least one characteristic value of the returning optical signal is outside a first range.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of detecting and removing ice and/or snow on a communication antenna is presented. In the method, environmental data indicating at least one current environmental condition is received. An optical signal is transmitted from a signaling structure of the communication antenna toward a reflecting surface of the antenna. The optical signal is received at the signaling structure upon returning from the reflecting surface. The returning optical signal is then processed to determine at least one characteristic value of the returning optical signal. The reflecting surface is then heated if the environmental data indicates that ice or snow accumulation on the communication antenna is possible, and the at least one characteristic value of the returning optical signal is outside a predetermined range.
17 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of detecting and removing snow and/or ice on a communication antenna, the method comprising:
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receiving environmental data indicative of at least one current environmental condition affecting the communication antenna; transmitting an optical signal from a signaling structure of the communication antenna toward a reflecting surface of the communication antenna; receiving the optical signal at the signaling structure upon returning from the reflecting surface; processing the returning optical signal to determine at least one characteristic value of the returning optical signal; and heating the reflecting surface if the environmental data indicates that ice or snow accumulation on the communication antenna is possible, and the at least one characteristic value of the returning optical signal is outside a first range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A communication antenna, comprising:
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a signaling structure comprising; circuitry configured to perform at least one of; receive a communication signal wirelessly and transfer the communication signal to an electronic device coupled with the antenna; and receive the communication signal from the electronic device and transmit the communication signal wirelessly; a reflecting structure coupled with the signaling structure, wherein the reflecting structure comprises a reflecting surface configured to redirect the communication signal received from or transmitted to the signaling structure circuitry; a heating element configured to heat the reflecting surface; and an optical signal transmitter and an optical signal receiver attached to the signaling structure, wherein the optical signal transmitter is configured to transmit an optical signal toward the reflecting surface so that it may be received at the optical signal receiver; wherein the signaling structure further comprises control circuitry configured to; receive environmental data indicative of at least one current environmental condition; process the optical signal received at the optical signal receiver to determine at least one characteristic of the received optical signal; and cause the heating element to heat the reflecting surface if the environmental data indicates that ice or snow accumulation on the reflecting structure is possible, and the at least one characteristic of the received optical signal is outside a first range. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A communication receiver, comprising:
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a signal interface configured to receive a communication signal from a communication antenna; and control circuitry configured to; receive a current temperature associated with the communication antenna; receive an indication as to whether a reflecting surface of the communication antenna is obscured with ice or snow; and transmit a control signal via the signal interface to the communication antenna to cause the communication antenna to heat the reflecting surface if the current temperature is below a predetermined value and the indication indicates that the reflecting surface is obscured with ice or snow. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification