Handheld antenna attitude measuring system

• US 9,046,601 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2013
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hendrikus A. Le Sage
• Original Assignee: Hendrikus A. Le Sage
• Inventors: Le Sage, Hendrikus A.
• Primary Examiner(s): A, Minh D
• Application Number:
  US13/969,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20130328716A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 315 33- 34, 342/74, 342/81, 342/359, 342/350, 342/357, 342/357.24, 342/357.25, 342/357.36
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/53 Determining attitude
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/125 Means for positioning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations

Abstract

An antenna attitude measuring system includes internal and external electrical components providing data for recording and displaying on a handheld device. The data can be transmitted to a database for access by a network operator. The antenna attitude can be adjusted for maximizing telecommunications network performance. 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 system includes the ability to connect to and remotely control a plurality of remote electrical tilt control units through only a single connection.

Claims

1. A system for measuring attitude of a multi-band frequency telecommunications antenna, which system includes:

a telecommunications antenna having at least two remote electrical tilt (RET) remote control units (RCUs) each associated with one of the multi-band frequencies, a beam control component, and an azimuth control component;

an antenna enclosure enclosing said telecommunications antenna, said enclosure comprising a bottom plate, a front plate, and a bulkhead connector;

a directional sensor comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), microprocessor, and 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;

said directional sensor mounted to said antenna enclosure in-line with said bulkhead connector and perpendicular to said antenna bottom plate;

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

a handheld attitude measuring device connected to said second connector of said directional sensor via a communications cable;

said attitude measuring device including an output component adapted for providing output corresponding to the attitude of said telecommunications antenna, as measured by said directional sensor, via wireless communication to a remote location;

said attitude measuring device further including a user interface adapted for reporting directional data obtained by said directional sensor to the user; and

said attitude measuring device adapted to send alignment instructions to said at least two RCUs based upon said directional data.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) component including a GNSS receiver and a GNSS antenna;

said GNSS component mounted to said front plate of said telecommunications antenna; and

said GNSS receiver being connected to said handheld attitude measuring device and adapted for providing GNSS-based position data of said telecommunications antenna.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said external tilt sensor is connected to and in communication with said external telecommunications antenna attitude measuring device through a communications cable.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said directional sensor is an AISG compliant in-line tilt sensor connected to and in communication with said external telecommunications antenna attitude measuring device.

5. 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;

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

providing a handheld attitude measuring device connected to said second connector of said directional sensor via a communications cable, said handheld attitude measuring device including a user interface adapted for reporting directional data obtained by said directional sensor system to the user;

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 handheld attitude measuring device;

determining the proper aiming direction for the communications beam;

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

inputting alignment instructions into said handheld attitude measuring device, thereby 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.

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

providing a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) component including a GNSS receiver and a GNSS antenna;

mounting said GNSS component to a front plate of said telecommunications antenna; and

connecting said GNSS receiver to said handheld attitude measuring device, said GNSS receiver adapted for providing GNSS-based position data of said telecommunications antenna.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said external tilt sensor is connected to and in communication with said external telecommunications antenna attitude measuring device through a communications cable.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said directional sensor is an AISG compliant in-line tilt sensor connected to and in communication with said external telecommunications antenna attitude measuring device.