Antenna control system

• US 20060170592A1
• Filed: 03/02/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Andrew LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Heinz, William Emil, Ehlen, Mathias Martin Ernest
• Granted Patent: US 7,518,552 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 21/08 the units being spaced along or adjacent to a rectilinear path waveguide fed H01Q21/0037
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/005 using remotely controlled antenna positioning or scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/32 by mechanical means

Abstract

A cellular base station telecommunication system includes a plurality of base station antenna sites, each site having one or more groups of base station antennas. A central controller is configured to control an electrical or mechanical parameter in one or more of the antennas in the groups of antennas.

Claims

1-26. -26. (canceled)

27. A communication system comprising:

a plurality of antenna systems located at a plurality of sites, each antenna system comprising;

a plurality of antennas each having two or more radiating elements and an electromechanical structure responsive to externally supplied drive signals and configured to effect relative movement of components of one or more phase shifting elements to vary the phase of signals supplied to the respective radiating elements to vary the elevation of a beam of the antenna; and

a controller for supplying drive signals to the electromechanical structure to adjust the elevation of the beams of the plurality of antennas;

each controller being responsive to commands sent from a remotely located central controller.

28. A communication system comprising:

a plurality of antenna systems located at a plurality of sites, each antenna system comprising;

two or more antennas, each having;

two or more radiating elements; and

an electromechanical structure responsive to externally supplied drive signals configured to effect relative movement of components of one or more phase shifting elements to vary the phase of signals supplied to the respective radiating elements to vary the elevation of a beam of the antenna; and

a controller for supplying drive signals to the electromechanical structure, each controller being responsive to commands sent from a central controller to vary the downtilt of the beam of one or more of the antennas of the antenna system.

29. A cellular base station telecommunication system comprising:

a plurality of base station antenna sites, each site comprising one or more groups of base station antennas, each of which antennas has a controllable electrical or mechanical parameter; and

a central controller configured to control said parameter in one or more of the antennas of said groups of antennas.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein said central controller is configured to communicate with said base stations through a radio or telephone link.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein said central controller is configured to control said parameter without operator intervention.

32. The system of claim 29 wherein said central controller is configured to automatically adjust a size of serviced cells in response to traffic demand.

33. The system of claim 29 wherein said controller is a PC-based computer.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein said computer displays information identifying the antennas controlled and their respective current downtilt settings.

35. A cellular base station telecommunication system comprising:

a. at a first site, a first base station comprising a first group of base station antennas, each antenna producing a beam and having a controllable electrical or mechanical parameter;

b. at a second site, a second base station comprising a second group of base station antennas, each antenna producing a beam and having a controllable electrical or mechanical parameter; and

c. a central controller communicating with a local controller in each of said first and second base stations and configured to control said parameter in one or more of the antennas of said groups of antennas.

36. The cellular base station communication system of claim 35 wherein said central controller is configured to communicate with the local controller of each of said base stations through a radio or telephone link.

37. The cellular base station communication system of claim 35 wherein said central controller is configured to communicate with the local controller of each of said base stations and control said parameter without operator intervention.

38. The cellular base station communication system of claim 35 wherein said central controller is configured to automatically adjust the size of serviced cells in response to traffic demand.

39. The cellular base station communication system of claim 35 wherein said controller is a PC-based computer.

40. The cellular base station communication system of claim 39 wherein said computer displays information identifying the antennas controlled and their respective current downtilt settings.

41. The cellular base station communication system of claim 35 wherein each of said local controllers has a serial line connection adapted to receive commands from said central controller.

42. A cellular base station telecommunication system comprising:

a. at a first site, a first cellular base station comprising a first group of base station antennas controlled by a first local controller, each antenna having a controllable electrical or mechanical parameter, each antenna further having two or more radiating elements and an electromechanical structure responsive to externally supplied control signals and configured to effect relative movement of components of one or more phase shifting elements to vary the phase of signals supplied to the respective radiating elements to vary a direction of a beam of the antenna;

b. at a second site, a second cellular base station comprising a second group of base station antennas controlled by a second local controller;

each antenna having a controllable electrical or mechanical parameter, each antenna further having two or more radiating elements and an electromechanical structure responsive to externally supplied control signals and configured to effect relative movement of components of one or more phase shifting elements to vary the phase of signals supplied to the respective radiating elements to vary a direction of a beam of the antenna; and

c. a central controller communicating with said first and second local controllers and configured to control said parameter in one or more of the antennas of said groups of antennas.

43. A cellular base station telecommunication system comprising:

a. at a first site, a first base station comprising a first group of base station antennas, each antenna producing a beam;

b. at a second site, a second base station comprising a second group of base station antennas, each antenna producing a beam; and

c. a central controller communicating with said first and second base stations and configured to monitor, sense, or read a predetermined base station equipment status, setting, state or condition.

44. The cellular base station communication system of claim 43 wherein said central controller includes a memory and is configured to store in, recall from, or update said memory with data developed concerning said equipment status, setting, state or condition.

45. The cellular base station communication system of claim 44 wherein said data represents beam tilt angle.

46. The cellular base station communication system of claim 43 wherein said controller is configured to display a predetermined equipment status, setting, state or condition.

47. The cellular base station communication system of claim 46 wherein said status, setting, state or condition represents beam tilt angle.

48. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 43 wherein said status, setting, state or condition concerns an antenna fault.

49. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 43 wherein said status, setting, state or condition concerns a physical position of an element in an electromechanical device.

50. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 49 wherein said electromechanical device comprises an electrical actuator coupled to a phase shifter.

51. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 43 wherein said status, setting, state or condition concerns an electrical circuit parameter.

52. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 51 wherein said electrical parameter comprises the state of a switch.

53. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 43 wherein said status, setting, state or condition is related to antenna status or a beam downtilt parameter.

54. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 43 wherein said beam downtilt parameter comprises tilt angle.

55. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 43 wherein each of said first and second groups of antennas is controlled by a local controller, and wherein said central controller communicates with said antennas through said local controllers.

56. The cellular base station communication system of claim 43 wherein said central controller is configured to communicate with the base stations through a radio or telephone link.

57. The cellular base station communication system of claim 43 wherein said central controller is configured to communicate with and control the base stations without operator intervention.

58. The cellular base station communication system of claim 43 wherein said central controller is configured to automatically adjust a size of serviced cells in response to traffic demand.

59. The cellular base station communication system of claim 43 wherein said controller is a PC-based computer.

60. The cellular base station communication system of claim 59 wherein said computer displays information identifying the antennas controlled and their respective current downtilt settings.

61. A cellular base station telecommunication system comprising:

a. at a first site, a first base station comprising a first group of base station antennas controlled by a first local controller, each antenna producing a beam;

b. at a second site, a second base station comprising a second group of base station antennas controlled by a second local controller, each antenna producing a beam;

and

c. a central controller communicating with said first and second local controllers and configured to monitor, sense, or read a predetermined base station equipment status, setting state or condition.

62. The cellular base station communication system of claim 61 wherein said central controller includes a memory and is configured to store in, recall from, or update said memory with data developed concerning said equipment status, setting, state or condition.

63. The cellular base station communication system of claim 62 wherein said data represents beam tilt angle.

64. The cellular base station communication system of claim 61 wherein said controller is configured to display a predetermined base station equipment status, setting, state or condition.

65. The cellular base station communication system of claim 64 wherein said status, setting, state or condition represents beam tilt angle.

66. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 61 wherein said status, setting, state or condition concerns an antenna fault.

67. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 61 wherein said status, setting, state or condition concerns a physical position of an element in an electromechanical device.

68. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 67 wherein said electromechanical device comprises an electrical actuator coupled to a phase shifter.

69. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 61 wherein said status, setting, state or condition concerns an electrical circuit parameter.

70. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 69 wherein said electrical parameter comprises a state of a switch.

71. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 61 wherein said status, setting, state or condition is related to antenna status or a beam downtilt parameter.

72. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 71 wherein said beam downtilt parameter comprises tilt angle.

73. The cellular base station communication system of claim 61 wherein said central controller is configured to communicate with said first and second local controllers through a radio or telephone link.

74. The cellular base station communication system of claim 61 wherein said central controller is configured to communicate with and control said first and second local controllers without operator intervention.

75. The cellular base station communication system of claim 61 wherein said central controller is configured to automatically adjust a size of serviced cells in response to traffic demand.

76. The cellular base station communication system of claim 61 wherein said central controller is a PC-based computer.

77. The cellular base station communication system of claim 76 wherein said computer displays information identifying the antennas controlled and their respective current downtilt settings.

78. The cellular base station communication system of claim 61 wherein each of said local controllers has a serial line connection adapted to receive commands from said central controller.

79. A cellular base station telecommunication system comprising:

a. at a first site, a first cellular base station comprising a first group of base station antennas controlled by a first local controller, each antenna having two or more radiating elements and an electromechanical structure responsive to externally supplied control signals and configured to effect relative movement of components of one or more phase shifting elements to vary the phase of signals supplied to the respective radiating elements to vary a direction of a beam of the antenna;

b. at a second site, a second cellular base station comprising a second group of base station antennas controlled by a second local controller;

each antenna having two or more radiating elements and an electromechanical structure responsive to externally supplied control signals and configured to effect relative movement of components of one or more phase shifting elements to vary the phase of signals supplied to the respective radiating elements to vary a direction of a beam of the antenna; and

c. a central controller communicating with said first and second local controllers and configured to monitor, sense, or read a predetermined base station equipment status, setting state or condition.

80. The cellular base station communication system of claim 79 wherein said central controller includes a memory and is configured to store in, recall from, or update said memory with data developed concerning said equipment status, setting, state or condition.

81. The cellular base station communication system of claim 80 wherein said data represents beam tilt angle.

82. The cellular base station communication system of claim 79 wherein said controller is configured to display a predetermined base station equipment status, setting, state or condition.

83. The cellular base station communication system of claim 82 wherein said status, setting, state or condition represents beam tilt angle.

84. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 79 wherein said status, setting, state or condition concerns an antenna fault.

85. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 79 wherein said status, setting, state or condition concerns a physical position of an element in an electromechanical device.

86. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 85 wherein said electromechanical device comprises an electrical actuator coupled to a phase shifter.

87. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 79 wherein said status, setting, state or condition concerns an electrical circuit parameter.

88. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 87 wherein said electrical parameter comprises a state of a switch.

89. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 79 wherein said status, setting, state or condition is related to antenna status or a beam downtilt parameter.

90. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 79 wherein said beam downtilt parameter comprises tilt angle.

91. The cellular base station communication system of claim 79 wherein each of said first and second local controllers has a serial line connection adapted to receive commands from said central controller.

92. A cellular base station telecommunication system comprising:

a. at a first site, a first base station comprising a first group of base station antennas, each antenna producing a beam;

b. at a second site, a second base station comprising a second group of base station antennas, each antenna producing a beam; and

c. a central controller communicating with said first and second base stations and configured to enable, select, set or change a predetermined base station equipment function, status, setting, state or condition.

93. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 92 wherein said central controller is configured to select, set, or change a beam parameter.

94. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 92 wherein said central controller is configured to select, set, or change a beam downtilt angle.

95. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 92 wherein said central controller is configured to enable or disable one or more of said antennas.

96. cellular base station telecommunication system comprising:

a. at a first site, a first base station comprising a first group of base station antennas controlled by a first local controller, each antenna producing a beam;

b. at a second site, a second base station comprising a second group of base station antennas controlled by a second local controller, each antenna producing a beam;

and

c. a central controller communicating with said first and second local controllers and configured to enable, select, set or change a predetermined base station equipment function, status, setting, state or condition.

97. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 96 wherein said central controller is configured to select, set, or change a beam parameter.

98. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 96 wherein said central controller is configured to select, set, or change a beam downtilt angle.

99. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 96 wherein said central controller is configured to enable or disable one or more of said antennas.

100. The cellular base station communication system of claim 96 wherein each of said first and second local controllers has a serial line connection adapted to receive commands from said central controller

101. A cellular base station telecommunication system comprising:

a. at a first site, a first cellular base station comprising a first group of base station antennas controlled by a first local controller, each antenna having two or more radiating elements and an electromechanical structure responsive to externally supplied control signals and configured to effect relative movement of components of one or more phase shifting elements to vary the phase of signals supplied to the respective radiating elements to vary a direction of a beam of the antenna;

b. at a second site, a second cellular base station comprising a second group of base station antennas controlled by a second local controller;

each antenna having two or more radiating elements and an electromechanical structure responsive to externally supplied control signals and configured to effect relative movement of components of one or more phase shifting elements to vary the phase of signals supplied to the respective radiating elements to vary a direction of a beam of the antenna; and

c. a central controller communicating with said first and second local controllers and configured to enable, select, set, or change a predetermined base station equipment function, status, setting state or condition.

102. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 101 wherein said central controller is configured to select, set, or change a beam parameter.

103. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 101 wherein said central controller is configured to select, set, or change a beam downtilt angle.

104. The cellular base station telecommunication system of claim 101 wherein said central controller is configured to enable or disable one or more of said antennas.

105. A cellular base station telecommunication system comprising:

a. at a first site, a first base station comprising a first group of base station antennas controlled by a first local controller, each antenna producing a beam; and

b. at a second site, a second base station comprising a second group of base station antennas controlled by a second local controller, each antenna producing a beam,

c. each of said local controllers having a serial line connection adapted to receive commands from a remotely located central controller.