Patent Application
20050003873
1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention relates to wireless subscriber equipments, and more particularly, to systems and methods for installing antennas.
2. Background of the Invention
Known subscriber equipments employed for local telecommunication networks generally comprise a directional antenna, a transceiver, and a decoder located within or adjacent a subscriber's premise. The antenna receives a signal from a base station and the transceiver and decoder decodes the signal for various applications.
The antenna is typically secured to a pole, a chimney, an exterior wall, a balcony, or other structures within the subscriber's premise. In order to obtain signals of sufficient strength, the antenna is installed such that it faces in a desired direction. For example, if it is desirable for the antenna to receive signals transmitted directly from a certain base station, the antenna is installed such that its peak reception plane faces in the direction of the base station.
Therefore, proper performance of the telecommunication network requires antennas to be installed correctly. When installing antennas, technicians have had difficulties in determining correct orientations of the antennas in reference to a desired base station or direction. Although a technician may use a hand-held compass to determine the orientation of an antenna being installed, the antenna can still be installed incorrectly due to human error. In addition, the technician may forget to bring a hand-held compass, or not use a compass even if one is available. Furthermore, with existing antennas and installation techniques, it may be difficult or time consuming for the technician to verify whether an antenna has been installed correctly.
Accordingly, improved systems and methods for installing antennas would be useful.
The present invention provides system and method for receiving communication signal. In some embodiments of the invention, the system includes an antenna that can be coupled to a subscriber terminal, a compass secured to the antenna, a memory unit for storing data associated with a desired mounting configuration of the antenna, and a processor coupled to the compass and the memory unit. The compass is adapted to measure an orientation of the antenna, and the processor is configured to generate a signal based on a measured orientation of the antenna by the compass and data stored in the memory unit.
A device for installing an antenna is further provided. In some embodiments of the invention, the device includes a structure attachable to the antenna, a compass secured to the structure, a memory unit for storing data associated with a desired mounting configuration of the antenna, and a processor coupled to the compass and the memory unit. The compass is adapted to measure an orientation of the antenna, and the processor is configured to generate a signal based on a measured orientation of the antenna by the compass and data stored in the memory unit.
A device for processing data associated with an installation of an antenna is also provided. In some embodiments of the invention, the device includes a processor configured to receive an input associated with a measured orientation of an antenna, compare the input with data associated with a desired mounting configuration of the antenna, and generate a signal based on the comparison.
A method of installing an antenna is further provided. In some embodiments of the invention, the method includes securing the antenna to a structure. The antenna carries a feedback device that provides a signal based on an orientation of the antenna and a desired mounting configuration of the antenna. The method also includes adjusting a position or orientation of the antenna based on the signal, information encoded in the signal, or an absence of the signal.
A method of initializing a memory unit secured to an antenna is also provided. In some embodiments of the invention, the method includes inputting data associated with a desired mounting configuration of the antenna to the memory unit.
Other aspects and features of the invention will be evident from reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, but not limit, the invention.
The drawings illustrate the design and utility of preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which similar elements are referred to by common reference numerals. In order to better appreciate how advantages and objects of the present inventions are obtained, a more particular description of the present inventions briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.
Various embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of specific embodiments of the invention. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages of the invention shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment of the present invention is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments of the present invention even if not so illustrated herein.
In some embodiments of the invention, the system 10 also includes a support member 42, a first mounting member 44, and a second mounting member 46. First mounting member 44 is adapted to be secured to a structure 19, such as a wall, a balcony, other components of a house, or other structures at a subscriber's premise. Second mounting member 46 is configured for securing antenna 12 to support member 42. An azimuth angle of antenna 12 can be adjusted by rotating antenna 12 relative to support member 42, and an elevation angle of antenna 12 can be adjusted by rotating support member 42 about a hinge 49. Fine adjustment of the azimuth angle and the elevation angle of antenna 12 can also be performed by adjusting screws 48. It should be noted that the support and mounting devices should not be limited to the example shown in these embodiments, and that other types of mounting and support devices can also be used as long as they allow antenna 12 to be mounted to structure 19.
Compass 54 is configured to sense or measure an azimuth angle (i.e., an angle of antenna 12 relative to a global reference about a vertical axis, such as the Z-axis of
Processor 55 is electrically connected to compass 54 and memory unit 56. Processor 55 is configured to receive input data from port 57, process the input data, and store the input data into memory unit 56 during an initialization process of feedback unit 14. The initialization process will be described below. Memory unit 56 includes a non-volatile memory for storing data associated with a desired mounting configuration of antenna 12. Memory unit 56 can be any of a variety of memory devices, such as a serial EEPROM memory, manufactured by Atmel Corporation, at San Jose, Calif., or a flash memory, manufactured by Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., at Sunnyvale, Calif. Examples of data that can be stored in memory unit 56 includes a desired height of installation, a desired azimuth angle of antenna 12, a desired elevation angle (e.g., angle about a horizontal axis, such as the X-axis of
During use, processor 55 generates a signal based on a measured orientation of antenna 12 and data stored in memory unit 56. Particularly, as shown in
Indicator 58 provides feedback to the user or installer by generating a response based on the signal received from processor 55. In some embodiments, indicator 58 includes a light source, such as a bulb, a light emitting diode (LED), or other display mechanism, that emits a light signal when the measured direction by compass 54 is equal to, or within a prescribed threshold from, the stored direction in memory unit 56. The prescribed threshold may be between the ±3 dB points of the main lobe, for example, ±22°. Other ranges of threshold may also be used. Alternatively, the light source of indicator 58 can emit a light signal when the measured direction by compass 54 is not equal to, or beyond a prescribed threshold from, the stored direction in memory unit 56. In some embodiments of the invention, the light source may emit lights having different wavelengths in response to a degree of difference between the measured and stored directions.
In other embodiments, indicator 58 includes an audio source that emits a sound when the measured direction by compass 54 is equal to, or within a prescribed threshold from, the stored direction in memory unit 56. Alternatively, the audio source of indicator 58 can emit a sound when the measured direction by compass 54 is not equal to, or beyond a prescribed threshold from, the direction stored in memory unit 56. In some embodiments of the invention, the audio source may emit sounds having different pitches, loudness, or tempos in response to a degree of difference between the measured and stored directions.
In other embodiments of the invention, indicator 58 includes a screen for displaying data or graphic in response to a direction measured by compass 54. For example, the screen can display a graphic when the measured direction by compass 54 is equal to, or within a prescribed threshold from, the direction stored in memory unit 56. Alternatively, the screen of indicator 58 can display a graphic when the measured direction by compass 54 is not equal to, or beyond a prescribed threshold from, the stored direction in memory unit 56. The screen may also display data representative of a measured direction by compass 54, the stored direction in memory unit 56, and/or a difference between the measured and stored directions. Other information associated with installation of antenna 12, such as height of installation, and desired elevation angle (e.g., orientation about a horizontal axis, such as the X-axis of
Although indicator 58 has been described as a component of feedback device 14. In other embodiments of the invention, indicator 58 can be implemented in another device, such as a Palm handheld device, that is separate from feedback device 14. In such case, feedback device 14 does not include indicator 58, but a transmitter connected to processor 55. The transmitter can be a cable or a wireless transmitter configured to send a signal to indicator 58.
Before antenna 12 is installed, data representative of a desired mounting configuration of antenna 12 is inputted into memory unit 56. A process 700 of initializing feedback device 14 will now be described with reference to
Another process 800 of initializing feedback device 14 will now be described with reference to
It should be noted that the initialization of feedback device 14 can include one or both of the processes 700 and 800, and that other types of data described previously can also be inputted into memory unit 56 during the initialization of feedback device 14. The initialization of feedback device 14 is performed at a point of sale in one embodiment. For example, when a user buys antenna 12 or when the user signs up for a service, an operator then input data to memory unit 56. Alternatively, the initialization of feedback device 14 can be performed during a manufacturing process of antenna 12. In this case, information associated with a desired mounting configuration of antenna 12 is transmitted to a manufacturing plant or a service facility, where feedback device 14 is initialized before it is shipped to a designated installer. In another alternative embodiment, the initialization of feedback device 14 can be performed during a manufacturing process of feedback device 14. In this case, information associated with a desired mounting configuration of antenna 12 is transmitted to a manufacturing plant or a service facility, where feedback device 14 is initialized before it is transported to another place where feedback device 14 will be installed on antenna 12. In some embodiments of the invention, the initialization of feedback device 14 can also be performed by an installer. For example, desired azimuth angle 722 and/or elevation angle 824 can be provided to the installer, who then would input the associated data into memory unit 56 before installing antenna 12.
After data representative or a desired mounting configuration of antenna 12 has been inputted into memory unit 56, antenna 12 can then be installed on structure 19.
Next, the installer adjusts a position and/or orientation of antenna 12 based on a signal (or absence of a signal) emitted by indicator 58, until the orientation of antenna 12 is substantially the same or within a prescribed threshold from a desired mounting configuration of antenna 12 (step 904). For example, the installer can adjust the azimuth angle of antenna 12 until indicator 58 indicates to the installer that the azimuth angle of antenna 12 is substantially the same, or within a prescribed threshold from, a desired azimuth angle of antenna 12. As such, by allowing feedback device 14 itself to detect orientation of antenna 12, the installer can install antenna 12 more accurately, thereby reducing the chance that an interference be experienced due to human error in the installation process.
If feedback device 14 includes digital signal processor 62, the installer can further adjust a position and/or orientation of antenna 12 until indicator 58 indicates to the installer that a radio frequency signal of desirable quality has been received by antenna 12.
Although various embodiments have been described with reference to compass 54, processor 55, memory unit 56, and indicator 58, feedback device 14 may not include all of these components in alternative embodiments. For example, feedback device 14 may not include processor 55 and memory unit 56. In such case, compass 54 would measure an actual orientation of antenna 12 and indicator 58 then displays the measurement. Based on the measurement of the actual orientation of antenna 12 and a desired orientation that is provided to an installer, the installer then adjusts a position and/or orientation of antenna 12 until a desired mounting configuration of antenna 12 is achieved. In other embodiments, processor and memory unit that are already parts of a subscriber terminal may be used as processor 55 and memory unit 56. In such case, feedback device 14 can be configured to communicate with processor 55 and memory unit 56 associated with the subscriber terminal.
In addition, although compass 54, processor 55, memory unit 56, indicator 58, and digital signal processor 62 have been illustrated as separate components, in some embodiments, any of these components may be combined. For example, processor 55 and memory unit 56 can be manufactured as one unit in some embodiments.
Furthermore, although various embodiments have been described with reference to compass 54, the scope of the present invention should not be so limited. In alternative embodiments, system 10 or device 14 can include other types of sensing devices that can operate to facilitate an installation process of antenna 12. For example, feedback device 14 can include a tilt sensor to help an installer determine and confirm a desired mounting configuration of antenna 12. The tilt sensor can sense an orientation of antenna 12 about an axis, such as the X-axis of
Although particular embodiments of the present inventions have been shown and described, it will be understood that these descriptions are not intended to limit the present inventions to the preferred embodiments, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventions. Thus, the present inventions are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present inventions as defined by the following claims.
