Antenna monitoring system and operating method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides an antenna monitoring system for radiating a main signal of a repeater or a base station through an antenna, the antenna monitoring system comprising: a first coupler coupled to a first transmission line connected to the antenna; at least one power collection module for collecting power acquired through the first coupler and storing same in a battery; a first communication module for transmitting, to a monitoring module, a monitoring signal of state information including the output strength of the antenna or connection status of the antenna, by using the power stored in the battery; and a second coupler coupled to the first transmission line to enable the first communication module to transmit the monitoring signal to the monitoring module through the first transmission line and a main transmission line connected to the first transmission line, wherein the strength of the main signal of the repeater or the base station is adjusted on the basis of the monitoring signal.

Description

Antenna monitoring system and method of operation thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna monitoring system for monitoring an antenna by detecting the output of an antenna, which is a passive device, and a method of operation thereof.

[0002] An antenna refers to a wire installed in the air to radiate radio waves into space for wireless communication or to induce an electromotive force through radio waves, and there are various types of antennas depending on their shape, function, and other factors.

[0003] In order to radiate communication signals within a building, base stations or repeaters that receive and amplify signals from base stations and radiate them can be used. In such cases, a method in which multiple antennas are distributed to a single base station or a base station to radiate (Distributed Antenna System) is common.

[0004] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration in which multiple antennas are generally installed in a distributed manner within a building for a base station or repeater.

[0005] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a base station or repeater is installed, and a signal output from the base station or repeater (10) can be transmitted to a plurality of antennas (30) through a combination of a main transmission line (c) and a distributor (20), and each antenna (30) transmits the signal transmitted from the repeater (10) into space and transmits the signal to a terminal to provide a service.

[0006] Typically, the antenna (30) only has the function of simply outputting a signal into the air, so there is a problem in that the transmission output status from the antenna cannot be checked and it cannot be detected even if the antenna is broken or not connected.

[0007] In the past, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the antenna (30) could be connected to a measuring device (40) capable of diagnosing and inspecting the antenna's failure by connecting terminals (30a, 30b), and then the state of the antenna (30) could be checked using the measuring device (40). However, determining whether the antenna (30) is faulty using the measuring device (40) in this way has the problem that the antenna (30) cannot be operated during the diagnosis time because the antenna (30) must be disconnected when diagnosing the failure of the antenna (30), and also takes a long time to diagnose the antenna (30) and cannot be checked immediately after the failure occurs.

[0008] Therefore, there is an urgent need for technological development to resolve such problems.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide an antenna monitoring system capable of monitoring the status of an antenna by detecting the output of the antenna even without receiving separate power from an external source, and a method of operation thereof.

[0010] To solve the above problem, the present invention provides an antenna monitoring system that radiates a main signal of a repeater or base station through an antenna, comprising: a first coupler coupled to a first transmission line connected to the antenna; at least one power collection module for collecting power obtained through the first coupler and storing it in a battery; a first communication module that operates using the power stored in the battery and transmits a monitoring signal of status information, including the output strength of the antenna or whether the antenna is connected, to a monitoring module; and a second coupler coupled to the first transmission line so that the first communication module can transmit the monitoring signal to the monitoring module through the first transmission line and a main transmission line connected thereto, wherein the strength of the main signal of the repeater or base station is adjusted based on the monitoring signal.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the monitoring module can adjust the strength of the main signal so that the output strength of the antenna is greater than or equal to a preset reference level.

[0012] According to one embodiment, to detect the output strength of the antenna, a detector that detects the voltage or current of a signal coupled by the first coupler may be further included.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a first control unit that calculates the output strength of the antenna based on the value detected by the detector using a lookup table provided with the voltage or current of the signal detected by the detector and the corresponding output strength of the antenna.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the second coupler may be directionally arranged to face the opposite side rather than the antenna side.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the monitoring module may include a second communication module that transmits and receives data with the first communication module using a fourth coupler coupled to a second transmission line connected to the main transmission line.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the monitoring module can calculate a path loss by comparing the output strength of the monitoring signal sent from the first communication module to the second communication module with the reception strength of the monitoring signal received by the second communication module.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the monitoring module can calculate the output strength of the antenna based on the strength of the main signal and the path loss.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the monitoring module can match each of the plurality of monitoring signals received from each of the plurality of antenna monitoring systems with a unique identification code of the first communication module of the corresponding antenna monitoring system, and output an output strength for each antenna using the matching result.

[0019] In addition, the present invention provides a method of operation for an antenna monitoring system that radiates a main signal of a repeater or base station through an antenna, wherein at least one power collection module collects power obtained by coupling with a first transmission line through a first coupler and stores it in a battery; a first communication module transmits a monitoring signal of status information, including the output strength of the antenna or whether the antenna is connected, to a monitoring module using the power stored in the battery; and the monitoring module adjusts the strength of the main signal of the repeater or base station based on the monitoring signal, wherein the step of transmitting to the monitoring module is characterized in that the first communication module transmits the monitoring signal to the monitoring module through a second coupler coupled with the first transmission line, and the monitoring module is connected to the first transmission line and the main transmission line.

[0020] According to the present invention, the status of an antenna can be monitored by detecting the output of the antenna even without receiving separate power from an external source.

[0021] In addition, since the results of antenna output detection can be transmitted to a remote terminal or displayed using a display device, an administrator can check the status and status of multiple antennas, including which antenna has a malfunction, without having to visit the site where the antennas are installed in person.

[0022] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration in which multiple antennas are generally installed in a distributed manner within a building for a base station or repeater.

[0023] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the measurement of a failure in a conventional antenna.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an antenna monitoring system installed according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an antenna monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a monitoring module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a connection diagram of a monitoring module and an antenna monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a step-by-step flowchart of the operation method of an antenna monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical or similar components regardless of drawing symbols will be assigned the same reference number, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "unit" and "part" used for components in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the ease of drafting the specification and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves. Furthermore, in describing embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of related prior art could obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, such detailed description will be omitted. Additionally, the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification; the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings, and it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0030] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components are not limited by said terms.

[0031] The above terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0032] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0033] A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0034] In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not excluding in advance the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0035]

[0036] Antenna monitoring system

[0037] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an antenna monitoring system installed according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 3, at least one antenna monitoring system (101 to 103) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be installed between a base station or repeater (hereinafter collectively referred to as "repeater") (10) and an antenna (31 to 33).

[0039] Typically, a plurality of antenna monitoring systems (101 to 103) can be connected to a single repeater (10) by a combination of a main transmission line (c) and at least one divider (20), and a signal transmitted from a single repeater (10) can be transmitted to a terminal, etc. by passing through the plurality of antenna monitoring systems (101 to 103) and transmitting it into space through antennas (31 to 33) connected to each antenna monitoring system (101 to 103).

[0040] At this time, the number of antenna monitoring systems (101~103) connected to the repeater (10) corresponds to the number of antennas (31~33), and the antenna monitoring systems (101~103) and antennas (31~33) can be connected one-to-one, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may have other combinations.

[0041] The antenna monitoring system (101~103) may be implemented integrated with the antenna inside the antenna (30) or installed to be connected to the antenna (30) outside the antenna (30), and the present invention does not particularly limit the implementation form of the antenna monitoring system (101~103).

[0042] An antenna monitoring system (101-103) according to one embodiment of the present invention can detect whether the antennas (31-33) connected thereto are transmitting a signal normally without receiving separate power from an external source, and by transmitting the detection result remotely, an administrator can check the status or malfunction of the antennas (31-33) remotely without having to visit the site where the antennas (31-33) are installed.

[0043] Meanwhile, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an antenna monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 4, an antenna monitoring system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can receive a communication signal (abbreviated as "main signal" in this specification) output from a base station or repeater (10) or a monitoring module (400) through an input terminal (or port) (101a), and the received main signal can be transmitted into the air through an antenna (31~33) via a first transmission line (101c). At this time, a main transmission line (c) connected to a base station or repeater (10) or a monitoring module (400) may be connected to the input terminal (101a) of the antenna monitoring system (100), and an input terminal of an antenna (31~33) may be connected to the output terminal (101b) of the antenna monitoring system (100), so that the main signal may be output through the antenna (31~33) via the main transmission line (c) and the first transmission line (101c), which are signal transmission means.

[0045] Of course, as described above, the antenna monitoring system (100) may be integrated with the antennas (31-33) so that the antenna monitoring system (100) is provided inside the antennas, and in this case, the first transmission line (101c) may be electrically connected to the feed of the antennas (31-33). At this time, the antenna may be in the form of a patch having a predetermined pattern as an example, but the present invention is not specifically limited thereto and may be implemented in various other forms.

[0046] For reference, among the terms used in this specification, transmission line (101c, 400c) is a line included in the antenna monitoring system (100) or the monitoring module (400) and can transmit the main signal described above or the monitoring signal described later. And the main transmission line (c) (see FIG. 1, etc.) may refer to a line connected to a repeater (10) or a distributor (20), etc., from outside the antenna monitoring system (101~103) or the monitoring module (400).

[0047] Meanwhile, an antenna monitoring system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery (110), at least one power collection module (112) for coupling and acquiring power transmitted through a first transmission line (101c) and storing it in the battery (110), and a first communication module (120) for operating using the power stored in the battery (110) and transmitting the strength of a signal output through antennas (31~33) to a monitoring module (400).

[0048] The power collection module (112) can receive a portion of the power passing through the first transmission line (101c) by using a first coupler (111) that is positioned close to the first transmission line (101c) within the antenna monitoring system (100) through the induction of resonance between adjacent lines, and can store the collected portion of power in the battery (110).

[0049] Here, the amount of power transmitted from the first transmission line (101c) can be controlled by adjusting the length of the line of the first coupler (111) which is positioned close to the first transmission line (101c) and the distance between the first coupler (111) and the first transmission line (101c), but the present invention does not specifically limit the length of the first coupler (111) or the distance between it and the first transmission line (101c).

[0050] The power collection module (112) may include a DC converter (112a) having a rectifier module that rectifies a signal having a predetermined waveform in half-wave or full-wave and a smoothing module that smooths the rectified signal using a Low Pass Filter (LPF), etc., so that the power can be stored in the battery (110) using a signal induced by resonance from the first transmission line (101c); and a charger (112b) including a converter for changing the voltage (boosting or reducing the voltage) so that the signal in which the AC RF signal is converted into DC by the DC converter (112a) can be charged to the battery (110), a regulator for maintaining the converted DC voltage constant, and a protection circuit for protecting the battery from overcharging or overcurrent. That is, the power collection module (112) can charge the rechargeable battery (110) by converting the resonance-induced alternating current signal into direct current and transforming its voltage, for example, to 5V.

[0051] As described above, the battery (110) may be a rechargeable DC battery, and the battery (110) may be provided in the number of power collection modules (112) so as to be connected to each of the power collection modules (112). For example, if the antenna monitoring system (100) includes two power collection modules (112), the battery (110) may also be two so as to be connected to each.

[0052] A battery (110) connected to a power collection module (112) may be one or more, and multiple batteries (110) may be connected in parallel to a power collection module (112) to charge and discharge, thereby increasing battery charging efficiency and battery usage time.

[0053] The first communication module (120) operates using power stored in the battery (110), and the first communication module (120) according to one embodiment of the present invention can transmit and receive data with the monitoring module (400) using a second coupler (121) that is resonantly coupled with the first transmission line (101c).

[0054] The second coupler (121) connected to the first communication module (120) may be positioned at a predetermined distance from the first transmission line (101c) or have a predetermined pattern so that a signal can be transmitted in the frequency band used by the first communication module (120) through resonance induction with the first transmission line (101c), but the present invention does not particularly limit the spacing between the first transmission line (101c) and the second coupler (121), or the pattern shape or length of the second coupler (121).

[0055] Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first coupler (111) and the second coupler (121) may be implemented as a single integrated coupler.

[0056] A first communication module (120) according to one embodiment of the present invention can transmit and receive data with a monitoring module (400), specifically a second communication module (430), which is a communication partner, by using a second coupler (121) as a communication means.

[0057] To this end, it is preferable that the second coupler (121) connected to the first communication module (120) be configured to transmit and receive signals directionally toward the repeater (10) or base station, which is the opposite side from the antennas (31-33). That is, it is preferable that the end of the line of the second coupler (121) be configured to face the input terminal (101a) or repeater (10), where the communication partner is located, which is the opposite side from the output terminal (101b) or the antennas (31-33).

[0058] Likewise, as described below, it is preferable that the fourth coupler (431) connected to the second communication module (430) of the monitoring module (400) also has its end portion of the line facing the output terminal (401) where the communication counterpart is located, rather than the repeater (10) side, just like the second coupler (121).

[0059] Thus, the first communication module (120) of the antenna monitoring system (100) is connected to the second communication module (430) of the monitoring module (400) so as to be able to communicate with each other, and they can be connected to each other through a second coupler (121) connected to the first communication module (120), a fourth coupler (431) connected to the second communication module (430), and a first transmission line (101c), a second transmission line (400c), and a main transmission line (c) connected between them.

[0060] Here, the first communication module (120) and / or the second communication module (430) can transmit and receive data using a predetermined communication method, and the present invention is not specifically limited thereto, but as a specific example, the communication method may be a short-range communication method such as Bluetooth, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee, NFC (Near Field Communication), etc.

[0061] The first communication module (120) can transmit a monitoring signal to the monitoring module (400) that includes status information of the antennas (31-33), such as the output strength of the antennas (31-33) or whether the antennas (31-33) are connected. The "monitoring signal" used in this specification is a signal transmitted by the first communication module (120) to the monitoring module (400), and may include status information of the antennas (31-33), and may include information such as the unique identification code of the first communication module (120) according to the embodiment.

[0062] Meanwhile, the antenna monitoring system (100) may include a detector (115) to detect the output strength of the antennas (31-33) or whether the antennas (31-33) are connected, as state information of the antennas (31-33).

[0063] The detector (115) is a device that detects the voltage or current of a signal coupled by the first coupler (111), and as a specific example, can detect the voltage of a signal converted to DC by the power collection module (112). Accordingly, the first communication module (120) can transmit a monitoring signal containing information on the output strength of the antennas (31~33) calculated using the voltage detected by the detector (115) to the monitoring module (400).

[0064] To this end, the antenna monitoring system (100) may include a storage unit (not shown) that stores a lookup table configured such that the voltage or current of a signal detected by a detector (115) corresponds to the output strength of antennas (31-33), and a first control unit (not shown) can calculate the output strength of antennas (31-33) by inputting the voltage or current of the signal detected by the detector (115) into the lookup table.

[0065] At this time, the first control unit may determine whether the antennas (31-33) are connected based on the voltage or current of the signal detected by the detector (115) or the output strength of the antennas (31-33) calculated using this. That is, if there is no voltage or current of the signal detected by the detector (115) or the output strength of the antennas (31-33) calculated using this is very small, the first control unit may determine that the antennas (31-33) are not connected or that the main transmission preference (c) is not connected to the input terminal (101a) of the antenna monitoring system (100). Of course, the first communication module (120) may transmit a monitoring signal containing information regarding the connection status of the antennas determined by the first control unit to the monitoring module (400).

[0066] Thus, the first communication module (120) according to one embodiment of the present invention can transmit a monitoring signal including status information of antennas (31~33) to the monitoring module (400) by using the transmission line (101c, 400c) through which the main signal is transmitted and the main transmission line (c) without using a separate communication medium.

[0067] Meanwhile, the monitoring module (400), which is the communication partner of the antenna monitoring system (100), may be built into or externally connected to a base station or repeater. That is, at least a part of the monitoring module (400) may be built into the base station or repeater, or at least a part of the monitoring module (400) may be externally connected by being coupled to the output terminal of a communication signal provided in the base station or repeater.

[0068] For example, the part of the reference numeral m in FIG. 5 may be implemented to be detachable from a base station or repeater, but the present invention does not specifically limit the range of the part that is detachable from a base station or repeater.

[0069] Thus, since the monitoring module (400) is combined with a base station or repeater (10), which is an active device operating on an external commercial power source, it may not have a battery that stores the power required for components such as the second communication module (430) to operate, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a monitoring module according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the monitoring module (400) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a second communication module (430) that receives data from a first communication module (120) of an antenna monitoring system (100) or transmits data to the first communication module (120).

[0071] Here, the second communication module (430) may be a communication module that corresponds to the first communication module (120) of the antenna monitoring system (100) and transmits and receives data to and from the first communication module (120). The second communication module (430) corresponding to the first communication module (120) may be connected to a fourth coupler (431), and the fourth coupler (431) may be positioned at a predetermined distance from the second transmission line (400c) or have a predetermined pattern so that a signal can be transmitted in the frequency band used by the second communication module (430) through resonance induction with the second transmission line (400c) of the monitoring module (400), but the present invention does not specifically limit the spacing between the second transmission line (400c) and the fourth coupler (431), or the pattern shape or length of the fourth coupler (431).

[0072] However, it is preferable that the fourth coupler (431), like the second coupler (121), is directional so that the end of the line faces the output terminal (401) or the antenna monitoring system (100) rather than the base station or repeater (10).

[0073] That is, the first communication module (120) and the second communication module (430) can be connected to communicate with each other through the second coupler (121) and the fourth coupler (431), respectively, via the first transmission line (101c) of the antenna monitoring system (100), the second transmission line (400c) of the monitoring module (400), and the main transmission line (c) (or a combination of the distributor (20) connected thereto) that connects them by wire.

[0074] Generally, since the first communication module (120) of the antenna monitoring system (100) provided on the side of the antenna (31~33) and the second communication module (430) of the monitoring module (400) provided on the side of the base station or repeater (10) do not form a short distance to enable direct communication with each other, the first communication module (120) and the second communication module (430) according to one embodiment of the present invention are not directly connected to each other, but can be connected to enable communication with each other through the second and fourth couplers (121, 431) via the first and second transmission lines (101c, 400c) and the main transmission line (c) connected thereto. At this time, the second coupler (121) connected to the first communication module (120) has directionality so that a signal containing data is not radiated to the antenna (31~33), and the fourth coupler (431) connected to the second communication module (430) also has data The signal may have a directional orientation so that it does not go toward the signal strength control module (440) or the repeater (10). That is, it is preferable that the second coupler (121) and the fourth coupler (431) have a directional orientation so that they face each other along the communication path formed between them.

[0075] One second communication module (430) can be connected in a one-to-many (1:n) manner to enable communication with one or more first communication modules (120). In this case, the second control unit (410) of the monitoring module (400) may use the unique identification code (ID) of the first communication module (120) to distinguish between a plurality of antenna monitoring systems (101~103) or a plurality of first communication modules (120) included therein. For example, the second control unit (410) of the monitoring module (400) may use a unique identification code such as a Bluetooth ID, MAC ID, or RFID of the first communication module (120) to distinguish between the first communication module (120), the antenna monitoring system (100) including it, or the antennas (31~33) connected thereto.

[0076] To this end, the storage unit (not shown) of the monitoring module (400) may store unique identification codes for a plurality of first communication modules (120), and may also store a location corresponding to each unique identification code in the form of a lookup table according to one embodiment of the present invention as described below.

[0077] Meanwhile, a monitoring module (400) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an output acquisition unit (420) for acquiring the output strength of a main signal output to a plurality of antenna monitoring systems (100) or antennas (31-33).

[0078] The output acquisition unit (420) can be connected to a third coupler (421) that is positioned close to a second transmission line (400c) within the monitoring module (400), and the output acquisition unit (420) can acquire the strength of the signal passing through the second transmission line (400c), i.e., the main signal, induced by resonant coupling between adjacent lines by using the third coupler (421).

[0079] The present invention does not particularly limit the length of the third coupler (421) and the distance between the third coupler (421) and the second transmission line (400c), and the third coupler (421) which is positioned in close proximity to the second transmission line (400c).

[0080] Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the third coupler (421) and the fourth coupler (431) may be implemented as a single integrated coupler.

[0081] The second control unit (410) of the monitoring module (400) can control the operation of the signal strength control module (440) to control the output strength of the main signal, that is, the communication signal output from the base station or repeater (10) or the monitoring module (400), using the monitoring signal received from the first communication module (120) of the antenna monitoring system (100).

[0082] The main signal may be attenuated by at least one main transmission line (c) having a predetermined length and at least one distributor (20) connected thereto, and if the strength of the signal output from the antennas (31-33) is reduced due to such path loss, the terminal, etc. may have difficulty communicating normally. In addition, since the magnitude of the signal output from the antennas (31-33) may be limited by wireless rules, etc., the monitoring module (400) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a signal strength control module (440) that controls the strength of the main signal output to a plurality of antenna monitoring systems (100).

[0083] Specifically, the signal strength control module (440) may include at least one amplifier or at least one attenuator to amplify or attenuate the strength of the main signal output from the base station or repeater (10) or the monitoring module (400), and accordingly, the magnitude of the signal output through the antenna (31~33) via the main transmission line (c) or distributor (20) can also be adjusted.

[0084] Accordingly, the second control unit (410) of the monitoring module (400) can control the operation of the signal strength control module (440) using the monitoring signal received from the antenna monitoring system (100) so that the output signal of the antenna (31~33) is within a predetermined reference range, above the lower limit level and below the upper limit level.

[0085] Meanwhile, the second control unit (410) of the monitoring module (400) according to one embodiment of the present invention can receive and process a monitoring signal including status information of antennas (31~33) from at least one antenna monitoring system (100) as shown in FIG. 5 and output it through a display unit (450).

[0086] The display unit (450) is a device for providing data, specifically status information of antennas (31-33), to the user in a visual or auditory manner, and is connected locally or remotely to the monitoring module (400) to output status information of the antennas (31-33) that are being monitored in a visual or auditory manner.

[0087] Specifically, the display unit (450) may display the output strength of each of the multiple antennas (31~33) as a numerical value, display different colors or shapes for each level range, display the normal / abnormal status of the antenna as an icon, or display a combination of these.

[0088] Additionally, as described below, the second control unit (410) of the monitoring module (400) uses the unique identification code of each of the first communication modules (120) of the plurality of antenna monitoring systems (101~103) to distinguish and output the status of the antennas (31~33) corresponding to each antenna monitoring system (101~103) through the display unit (450), and at this time, the installation location of the antennas (31~33) that are the monitoring targets may also be output. For example, by displaying the status of the antennas by location or displaying the installation location of the antennas on a map and displaying the antenna status accordingly, the operator can intuitively identify the location of the antenna where the malfunction occurred when an antenna malfunction occurs.

[0089] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of antenna monitoring systems (101 to 103) or a plurality of antennas (31 to 33) are electrically connected to a single repeater (10) or a single monitoring module (400), and the magnitude of the first signal level transmitted from each antenna (31 to 33) may differ depending on the connection relationship with the repeater (10).

[0090] For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b, two distributors (20) are connected in series to one repeater (10), and three antennas (31 to 33) can be connected to the two distributors (20). In this case, assuming that a signal of strength 100 is output from the repeater (10), the signal input to the first distributor (20) located close to the repeater (10) is divided and output to another second distributor (20) and the antenna of reference numeral 33, respectively, and the signal input to the second distributor (20) is divided and output to the antennas of reference numerals 31 and 32, respectively, so that each antenna (31 to 33) can output a signal of strength as shown in Table 1 below. That is, the first signal level measured by the antenna monitoring system (101 to 103) connected to each antenna (31 to 33) may be as shown in Table 1 below.

[0091] Antenna Monitoring System #1 (101) Antenna Monitoring System #2 (102) Antenna Monitoring System #3 (103) Antenna Output Strength 25 dB 25 dB 50 dB

[0092] Accordingly, a monitoring module (400) according to one embodiment of the present invention receives a monitoring signal including status information for each of a plurality of antennas (31-33) and can output an output strength for each antenna (31-33) to a display unit (450). At this time, in order for the monitoring module (400) to distinguish the received plurality of monitoring signals by antenna (31-33), as described above, when the monitoring module (400) receives a monitoring signal from the first communication module (120) of the antenna monitoring system (100), it also receives the unique identification code of the first communication module (120), and can use this to identify which antenna (31-33) the received state of is for or which first communication module (120).

[0093] A monitoring module (400) according to one embodiment of the present invention can amplify the output strength of a main signal using a signal strength adjustment module (440) so that the lowest of the antenna (31~33) output strengths received from a plurality of antenna monitoring systems (101~103) can be greater than or equal to the lower limit level of a preset reference range.

[0094] For example, as shown in Table 2 below, for various reasons, if the output strength of the first antenna (31) is 20 dB and is less than 23 dB, which is the lower limit level of the preset reference range, the monitoring module (400) can amplify the output strength of the main signal using the signal strength adjustment module (440) so that the first signal level output from the first antenna (31) becomes 23 dB or higher.

[0095] Antenna Monitoring System #1 (101) Antenna Monitoring System #2 (102) Antenna Monitoring System #3 (103) Antenna Output Strength Bell 20 dB 25 dB 50 dB

[0096] Additionally, the monitoring module (400) can attenuate the output strength of the main signal using the signal strength control module (440) so that the highest output strength among the antennas (31-33) received from the plurality of antenna monitoring systems (101-103) does not exceed the upper limit level of a preset reference range. For example, as shown in Table 3 below, for various reasons, if the first signal level output from the third antenna (33) is 55 dB and exceeds 50 dB, which is the upper limit level of a preset reference range, the monitoring module (400) can attenuate the output strength of the main signal using the signal strength control module (440) so that the first signal level output from the third antenna (33) does not exceed 50 dB.

[0097] Antenna Monitoring System #1 (101) Antenna Monitoring System #2 (102) Antenna Monitoring System #3 (103) First Signal Level 25 dB 25 dB 55 dB

[0098] Meanwhile, as described above, the monitoring module (400) can identify which antenna (31~33) has an output strength based on the unique identification code of the first communication module (120) regarding the output strength of the received plurality of antennas (31~33), and using this, the monitoring module (400) can determine which antenna (31~33) has an abnormality by using the unique identification code of the first communication module (120) regarding the output strength of the plurality of antennas (31~33) that deviates from a preset reference range. Of course, if the monitoring module (400) determines that there is an abnormality in at least one of the antennas (31 to 33), it can output the determination result for each antenna using the display unit (450). Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second control unit (410) of the monitoring module (400) can calculate the path loss between the base station or repeater (10) or the monitoring module (400) and the antenna monitoring system (100).

[0099] According to a specific embodiment, when the first communication module (120) transmits a monitoring signal to the second communication module (430), it may also transmit the output strength of the monitoring signal, and the second control unit (410) may calculate a path loss by comparing the output strength of the monitoring signal of the first communication module (120) with the reception strength of the monitoring signal when the second communication module (430) receives the monitoring signal from the first communication module (120).

[0100] Here, the second communication module (430) can check the received signal strength of the monitoring signal using the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), and the output strength of the monitoring signal can be checked using the output power (dBm) confirmed by the first communication module (120). Using this, the second control unit (410) can calculate the path loss between the monitoring module (400) and the antenna monitoring system (100) by subtracting the received signal strength of the monitoring signal from the output strength of the monitoring signal.

[0101] At this time, the second communication module (430) can receive the unique identification code of the first communication module (120) that transmitted the monitoring signal along with the output strength of the monitoring signal, and accordingly, the second control unit (410) can calculate the path loss for each corresponding first communication module (120), an antenna monitoring system (100) including the same, or an antenna (30) connected thereto by using the unique identification code of the first communication module (120).

[0102] Of course, the second control unit (410) may calculate the total path loss between the monitoring module (400) and the plurality of antennas (31~33) connected thereto by comparing the sum of the output intensities for each of the total monitoring signals with the sum of the reception intensities for each of the total monitoring signals.

[0103] Thus, the second control unit (410) according to one embodiment of the present invention can calculate the path loss between the monitoring module (400) and the antenna monitoring system (100) without calculating the loss in each of the main transmission line (c) and the distributor (20), and by using the path loss calculated in this way, the strength of the signal output from the antennas (31~33) can be predicted by subtracting the calculated path loss from the output strength of the main signal even without receiving the monitoring signal. Even if the strength of the signal output from the base station or repeater (10) changes, the second control unit (410) of the monitoring module (400) can predict the strength of the signal output from the antennas (31~33) by subtracting the calculated path loss from the output strength of the changed main signal without receiving the monitoring signal.

[0104] In addition, since the second control unit (410) of the monitoring module (400) according to one embodiment of the present invention can predict the output strength of each antenna (31~33), it may also control the operation of the signal strength control module (440) so that the predicted output strength of each antenna (31~33) is within a preset reference range.

[0105] Here, the strength of the main signal output from the base station or repeater (10) or the monitoring module (400) can be measured by the output acquisition unit (420) of the monitoring module (400) using the third coupler (421), but the second control unit (410) may also receive a value already set in the base station or repeater (10).

[0106] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second control unit (410) of the monitoring module (400) can predict the output strength of the antennas (31~33) using the output strength of the main signal set in advance and the path loss calculated in advance, and can subsequently receive a monitoring signal including the output strength of the antennas (31~33) measured by the antenna monitoring system (100).

[0107] Thus, the antenna output strength (Lp) expected using path loss and the subsequently measured antenna output strength (Lm) can be approximated within a predetermined error range (Me), but if it deviates from the preset error range (Me), the second control unit (410) according to one embodiment of the present invention can determine that there is an abnormality in the communication path between the corresponding antenna monitoring system (100) and the monitoring module (400).

[0108] Accordingly, the second control unit (410) of the monitoring module (400) can identify which antenna monitoring system (101~103) or corresponding antenna (31~33) is outside the preset error range (Me) by using the unique identification code of each of the first communication modules (120) of the plurality of antenna monitoring systems (101~103), and output the status of the identified antenna monitoring system (100) or antenna (31~33) through the display unit (450), and at this time, the installation location of the antenna (31~33) to be monitored can also be output.

[0109]

[0110] Operation method of the antenna monitoring system

[0111] FIG. 7 is a step-by-step flowchart of the operation method of an antenna monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the method of operation of an antenna monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a step (S10) in which at least one power collection module (112) is coupled to a first transmission line (101c) through a first coupler (111) to collect power obtained and store it in a battery (110); a step (S20) in which a first communication module (120) uses the power stored in the battery (110) to transmit a monitoring signal of status information, including the output strength of antennas (31~33) or whether antennas (31~33) are connected, to a monitoring module (400); and a step (S30) in which the monitoring module (400) adjusts the strength of the main signal of a base station or repeater (10) based on the monitoring signal. In the step S20 of transmitting the monitoring signal to the monitoring module (400), the first communication module (120) is coupled to the first transmission line (101c). The monitoring signal is transmitted to the monitoring module (400) through the second coupler (121), wherein the monitoring module (400) can be connected to the first transmission line (101c) and the main transmission line (c).

[0113] Accordingly, the antenna monitoring system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can detect the state of the antenna even without receiving separate power from the outside, and the monitoring module (400) can monitor the state of the antenna.

[0114] However, the steps illustrated in FIG. 7 or the steps according to one embodiment of the present invention described above are not essential, so a method of operation of an antenna monitoring system having more steps or fewer steps may be implemented.

[0115] Since the explanation for each step overlaps with what was previously mentioned, it will be omitted and replaced by the above.

[0116]

[0117] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. The description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will understand that other specific forms can be easily modified without changing the technical concept or essential features of the present invention.

[0118] Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description above, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning, scope, and equivalent concepts of the claims should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An antenna monitoring system that radiates a main signal of a repeater or base station through an antenna, A first coupler coupled to a first transmission line connected to the above antenna; At least one power collection module for collecting power obtained through the first coupler and storing it in a battery; A first communication module that operates using power stored in the battery and transmits a monitoring signal of status information, including the output strength of the antenna or whether the antenna is connected, to a monitoring module; and A second coupler that couples with the first transmission line so that the first communication module can transmit the monitoring signal to the monitoring module through the first transmission line and the main transmission line connected thereto; Includes, An antenna monitoring system characterized in that the strength of the main signal of the repeater or base station is adjusted based on the monitoring signal.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above monitoring module is an antenna monitoring system characterized by adjusting the strength of the main signal so that the output strength of the antenna is within a preset reference range.

3. In Paragraph 1, An antenna monitoring system characterized by further including a detector that detects the voltage or current of a signal coupled by the first coupler in order to detect the output strength of the above antenna.

4. In Paragraph 3, A first control unit that calculates the output strength of the antenna based on the value detected by the detector, using a lookup table provided with the voltage or current of the signal detected by the detector and the corresponding output strength of the antenna; An antenna monitoring system characterized by further including 5. In Paragraph 1, An antenna monitoring system characterized in that the second coupler is directionally positioned to face the opposite side rather than the antenna side.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above monitoring module is, A second communication module that transmits and receives data with the first communication module using a fourth coupler coupled to a second transmission line connected to the main transmission line; An antenna monitoring system characterized by including 7. In Paragraph 6, The above monitoring module is, An antenna monitoring system characterized by calculating path loss by comparing the output strength of the monitoring signal sent from the first communication module to the second communication module with the reception strength of the monitoring signal received by the second communication module.

8. In Paragraph 7, An antenna monitoring system characterized by the above monitoring module calculating the output strength of the antenna based on the strength of the main signal and the path loss.

9. In Paragraph 1, An antenna monitoring system characterized by the above monitoring module matching each of the plurality of monitoring signals received from each of the plurality of antenna monitoring systems with a unique identification code of the first communication module of the corresponding antenna monitoring system, and outputting an output strength for each antenna using the matching result.

10. A method of operation of an antenna monitoring system that radiates a main signal of a repeater or base station through an antenna, At least one power collection module collects power obtained by coupling with a first transmission line through a first coupler and stores it in a battery; The first communication module transmits a monitoring signal of status information, including the output strength of the antenna or whether the antenna is connected, to a monitoring module using power stored in the battery; and The above monitoring module includes the step of adjusting the strength of the main signal of the repeater or base station based on the monitoring signal; Includes, A method of operation of an antenna monitoring system, wherein the step of transmitting to the monitoring module comprises transmitting the monitoring signal to the monitoring module through a second coupler coupled to the first transmission line, and wherein the monitoring module is connected to the first transmission line and the main transmission line.

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