The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a microwave antenna alignment method and apparatus.
Beam width of a microwave antenna is small. Therefore, the antenna needs to be aligned to ensure success of communication. In the prior art, a received signal strength indicator (Received Signal Strength Indication, RSSI) interface is set on an outdoor unit (Out Door Unit, ODU). An internal detection circuit of the ODU outputs an RSSI voltage according to the strength of a received signal. A worker first roughly adjusts the antenna according to the longitude, latitude, and altitude of the location of the antenna to achieve approximate alignment of the antenna, and then finely adjusts the antenna while monitoring the RSSI voltage value until the RSSI voltage reaches a preset threshold. During the alignment process, only an indication of signal strength is presented. Therefore, the antenna needs to be adjusted toward different directions, wasting time and manpower.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a microwave antenna alignment method and apparatus, providing a clear instruction for antenna adjustment and implementing more convenient antenna alignment.
To solve the preceding technical problems, the embodiments of the present invention adopt the following technical solutions:
A microwave antenna alignment method includes:
performing vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by two sub-antennas within a same horizontal plane to obtain an azimuth plane vector difference, where an azimuth plane angular error signal includes the azimuth plane vector difference, and the azimuth plane angular error signal is used to reflect a deviation angle and direction of a received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane; and
aligning the antenna within the horizontal plane according to the azimuth plane angular error signal.
A microwave antenna alignment method includes:
performing vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by two sub-antennas within a same vertical plane to obtain a pitch plane vector difference, where a pitch plane angular error signal includes the pitch plane vector difference, and the pitch plane angular error signal is used to reflect a deviation angle and direction of a received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane; and
aligning the antenna within the vertical plane according to the pitch plane angular error signal.
A microwave antenna alignment apparatus includes:
an error signal calculating unit, configured to perform vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by two sub-antennas within a same horizontal plane to obtain an azimuth plane, where an azimuth plane angular error signal includes the azimuth plane vector difference, and the azimuth plane angular error signal is used to reflect a deviation angle and direction of a received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane; and
an aligning unit, configured to align the antenna within the horizontal plane according to the azimuth plane angular error signal.
A microwave antenna alignment apparatus includes:
an error signal calculating unit, configured to perform vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by two sub-antennas within a same vertical plane to obtain a pitch plane vector difference, where a pitch plane angular error signal includes the pitch plane vector difference, and the pitch plane angular error signal is used to reflect a deviation angle and direction of a received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane; and
an aligning unit, configured to align the antenna within the vertical plane according to the azimuth plane angular error signal.
A mapping relationship exists between the azimuth plane angular error signal and the deviation angle of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane. A mapping relationship exists between the pitch plane angular error signal and the deviation angle of the received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane. The plus or minus of the error signal reflects the deviation direction. Within a specific range, the size of the error signal reflects the size of the deviation angle. The antenna may be adjusted according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane or vertical plane, which, compared with the prior art where the antenna needs to be adjusted toward different directions in the alignment process, provides a clear instruction for antenna adjustment and implements more convenient antenna alignment.
To illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or in the prior art more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following descriptions merely show some embodiments of the present invention, and persons of ordinary skill in the art can derive other drawings from the accompanying drawings without creative efforts.
The following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions according to the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the embodiments in the following description are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
As shown in
Step 101: Perform vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by two sub-antennas within a same horizontal plane to obtain an azimuth plane vector difference, where an azimuth plane angular error signal includes the azimuth plane vector difference, and the azimuth plane angular error signal is used to reflect a deviation angle and direction of a received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane.
Specifically, the above two sub-antennas are installed at different positions. Therefore, when the antenna is not aligned within a specific range, the amplitudes of the signals received by the two sub-antennas are different. As shown in
Step 102: Align the antenna within the horizontal plane according to the azimuth plane angular error signal.
The microwave antenna alignment method provided in this embodiment of the present invention is capable of adjusting the antenna according to the reflected deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane, which, compared with the prior art where the antenna needs to be adjusted toward different directions in the alignment process, provides a clear instruction for antenna adjustment and implements more convenient antenna alignment.
Based on Embodiment 1, as shown in
The aligning the antenna within the horizontal plane according to the azimuth plane angular error signal in step 102 specifically includes:
Step 1021: Convert the azimuth plane angular error signal into the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane.
Specifically, the conversion is performed according to the mapping relationship between the azimuth plane angular error signal and the deviation angle of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane.
Step 1022: Align the antenna within the horizontal plane according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane.
The microwave antenna alignment method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes:
Step 103: Perform vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by two sub-antennas within a same vertical plane to obtain a pitch plane vector difference, where a pitch plane angular error signal includes the pitch plane vector difference, and the pitch plane angular error signal is used to reflect a deviation angle and direction of a received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane.
Furthermore, the pitch plane angular error signal further includes: a pitch plane vector difference obtained by performing vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by another two sub-antennas having a same symmetry axis as the two sub-antennas within the same vertical plane; or a pitch plane vector difference obtained by performing vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by another two sub-antennas having a same symmetry axis as the two sub-antennas within a different vertical plane.
Based on the same principles of calculating the azimuth plane angular error signal, the pitch plane angular error signal is obtained by performing vector subtraction for the in-phase signals received by two sub-antennas within the same vertical plane (that is, the pitch plane) and performing vector subtraction for another two sub-antennas having a same symmetry axis as the two sub-antennas within the vertical plane. The pitch plane angular error signal is used to reflect the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane. As shown in
Step 104: Align the antenna within the vertical plane according to the pitch plane angular error signal.
Further, the aligning the antenna within the vertical plane according to the pitch plane angular error signal in step 104 specifically includes:
Step 1041: Convert the pitch plane angular error signal into the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane.
Specifically, the conversion is performed according to the mapping relationship between the pitch plane angular error signal and the deviation angle of the received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane.
Step 1042: Align the antenna within the vertical plane according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane.
It should be noted that step 101 and step 103 are not subject to any logic sequence.
The microwave antenna alignment method provided in this embodiment of the present invention is capable of adjusting the antenna according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane and vertical plane, which, compared with the prior art where the antenna needs to be adjusted toward different directions in the alignment process, provides a clear instruction for antenna adjustment and implements more convenient antenna alignment. In addition, as shown in
As shown in
Step 201: Perform vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by two sub-antennas within a same vertical plane to obtain a pitch plane vector difference, where a pitch plane angular error signal includes the pitch plane vector difference, and the pitch plane angular error signal is used to reflect a deviation angle and direction of a received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane.
The specific principles are the same as the principles in the above embodiment and are not detailed herein.
Step 202: Align the antenna within the vertical plane according to the pitch plane angular error signal.
The microwave antenna alignment method provided in this embodiment of the present invention is capable of adjusting the antenna according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane, which, compared with the prior art where the antenna needs to be adjusted toward different directions in the alignment process, provides a clear instruction for antenna adjustment and implements more convenient antenna alignment.
Based on Embodiment 3, as shown in
The aligning the antenna within the vertical plane according to the pitch plane angular error signal in step 202 specifically includes:
Step 2021: Convert the pitch plane angular error signal into the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane.
Step 2022: Align the antenna within the vertical plane according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane.
The microwave antenna alignment method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes:
Step 203: Perform vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by two sub-antennas within a same horizontal plane to obtain an azimuth plane vector difference, where an azimuth plane angular error signal includes the azimuth plane vector difference, and the azimuth plane angular error signal is used to reflect a deviation angle and direction of a received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane.
Furthermore, the azimuth plane angular error signal further includes: an azimuth plane vector difference obtained by performing vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by another two sub-antennas having a same symmetry axis as the two sub-antennas within the same horizontal plane; or an azimuth plane vector difference obtained by performing vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by another two sub-antennas having a same symmetry axis as the two sub-antennas within a different horizontal plane.
Step 204: Align the antenna within the horizontal plane according to the azimuth plane angular error signal.
The aligning the antenna within the horizontal plane according to the azimuth plane angular error signal in step 204 specifically includes:
Step 2041: Convert the azimuth plane angular error signal into the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane.
Step 2042: Align the antenna within the horizontal plane according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane.
It should be noted that step 201 and step 203 are not subject to any logic sequence. The specific principles are the same as the principles in the above embodiment and are not detailed herein.
The microwave antenna alignment method provided in this embodiment of the present invention is capable of adjusting the antenna according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane and vertical plane, which, compared with the prior art where the antenna needs to be adjusted toward different directions in the alignment process, provides a clear instruction for antenna adjustment and implements more convenient antenna alignment. In addition, as shown in
As shown in
an error signal calculating unit 1, configured to perform vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by two sub-antennas within a same horizontal plane to obtain an azimuth plane vector difference, where an azimuth plane angular error signal includes the azimuth plane vector difference, and the azimuth plane angular error signal is used to reflect a deviation angle and direction of a received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane; and an aligning unit 2, configured to align the antenna within the horizontal plane according to the azimuth plane angular error signal.
The specific principles are the same as the principles in the above embodiment and are not detailed herein.
The microwave antenna alignment apparatus provided in this embodiment of the present invention is capable of adjusting the antenna according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane, which, compared with the prior art where the antenna needs to be adjusted toward different directions in the alignment process, provides a clear instruction for antenna adjustment and implements more convenient antenna alignment.
Based on Embodiment 5, as shown in
The azimuth plane angular error signal further includes: an azimuth plane vector difference obtained by performing vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by another two sub-antennas having a same symmetry axis as the two sub-antennas within the same horizontal plane; or an azimuth plane vector difference obtained by performing vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by another two sub-antennas having a same symmetry axis as the two sub-antennas within a different horizontal plane.
Furthermore, the aligning unit 2 is specifically configured to convert the azimuth plane angular error signal into the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane; and align the antenna within the horizontal plane according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane.
Furthermore, the error signal calculating unit 1 is further configured to perform vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by two sub-antennas within a same vertical plane to obtain a pitch plane vector difference, where a pitch plane angular error signal includes the pitch plane vector difference, and the pitch plane angular error signal is used to reflect a deviation angle and direction of a received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane.
Furthermore, the pitch plane angular error signal further includes: a pitch plane vector difference obtained by performing vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by another two sub-antennas having a same symmetry axis as the two sub-antennas within the same vertical plane; or a pitch plane vector difference obtained by performing vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by another two sub-antennas having a same symmetry axis as the two sub-antennas within a different vertical plane.
Furthermore, the aligning unit 2 is further configured to align the antenna within the vertical plane according to the pitch plane angular error signal.
Furthermore, the aligning unit 2 is specifically configured to convert the pitch plane angular error signal into the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane; and align the antenna within the vertical plane according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane.
Furthermore, the error signal calculating unit 1 is further configured to perform vector addition for in-phase signals received by the plurality of antennas within the same horizontal plane and vertical plane to obtain receive signals; and averagely divide transmit signals to multiple paths of transmit signals having the same amplitude and phase corresponding to the plurality of antennas.
Furthermore, the apparatus further includes:
a transmitting channel 3, configured to input the transmit signals to the error signal calculating unit; a receiving channel 4, configured to receive the receive signals; and a duplexer 5, configured to isolate the transmit signals from the receive signals.
The specific principles are the same as the principles in the above embodiment and are not detailed herein. As shown in
During the transmission process, the transmit signals are input to the vector superposing network 11 from the fifth port P5 through the transmitting channel 3 and the duplexer 5. The vector superposing network 11 averagely divides the transmit signals into four paths of transmit signals having the same amplitude and phase. The four paths of transmit signals are respectively output through the first port P1, the second port P2, the third port P3, and the fourth port P4, to the four sub-antennas for transmission.
During the reception process, the first sub-antenna A1, the second sub-antenna A2, the third sub-antenna A3 and the fourth sub-antenna A4 receive a first signal E1, a second signal E2, a third signal E3 and a fourth signal E4 having different amplitudes but the same phase. The signals are respectively input to the vector superposing network 11 through the first port P1, the second port P2, the third port P3, and the fourth port P4. The vector superposing network 11 performs vector addition and subtraction for the four paths of signals and outputs the signals. Signals E1+E2+E3+E4 are output to the duplexer 5 and the receiving channel 4 through the fifth port P5, that is, the receive signals. The azimuth plane angular error signal E1−E2+E3−E4 and the pitch plane angular error signal E1−E3+E2−E4 are respectively output to the aligning unit 2 through the sixth port P6 and the seventh port P7. According to the same principles as in the above embodiment, the aligning unit 2 converts the azimuth plane angular error signal into the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane, and converts the pitch plane angular error signal into the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane. The aligning unit 2 may automatically align the antenna or indicate the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction for a worker to adjust.
The microwave antenna alignment apparatus provided in this embodiment of the present invention is capable of adjusting the antenna according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the horizontal plane and vertical plane while generating the azimuth plane angular error signal and pitch plane angular error signal without affecting transmission of wanted signals, which, compared with the prior art where the antenna needs to be adjusted toward different directions in the alignment process, provides a clear instruction for antenna adjustment and implements more convenient antenna alignment. In addition, as shown in
As shown in
an error signal calculating unit 1, configured to perform vector subtraction for in-phase signals received by two sub-antennas within a same vertical plane to obtain an azimuth plane vector difference, where a pitch plane angular error signal includes the azimuth plane vector difference, and the pitch plane angular error signal is used to reflect a deviation angle and direction of a received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane; and an aligning unit 2, configured to align the antenna within the vertical plane according to the azimuth plane angular error signal.
The specific principles are the same as the principles in the above embodiment and are not detailed herein.
The microwave antenna alignment apparatus provided in this embodiment of the present invention is capable of adjusting the antenna according to the deviation angle and direction of the received beam from the antenna direction within the vertical plane, which, compared with the prior art where the antenna needs to be adjusted toward different directions in the alignment process, provides a clear instruction for antenna adjustment and implements more convenient antenna alignment.
The foregoing descriptions are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any variation or replacement that can be easily made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the technical scope disclosed by the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2011/083789, filed on Dec. 9, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2011/083789 | Dec 2011 | US |
Child | 13786298 | US |