Antenna Alignment Tool Using GPS for Azimuth and Tilt Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antenna alignment techniques are time-consuming and inefficient, particularly for long-range microwave links, as they rely on guesswork and manual adjustments, which can be hazardous and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

An antenna alignment tool with a processor and GPS receivers that determines actual position, azimuth, and tilt data, generating a representative directional indicator for display on an earth browser, allowing for precise alignment and wireless communication of alignment data for remote adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional guess-and-check alignment methods are used, then alignment can be achieved, but alignment time increases significantly and labor efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment speedVSAvoidalignment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment methods with an automated electronic system that uses GPS receivers, processors, and display devices to automatically determine and indicate antenna alignment parameters, eliminating the need for technicians to manually adjust antennas based on guesswork

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment system performs self-measurement by using GPS receivers mounted on the antenna to automatically capture position, azimuth, and tilt data, then processes this information through a processor to generate alignment indicators without requiring continuous manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If technicians spend extended time on towers for alignment, then alignment accuracy can be improved, but safety risks and hazard exposure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidtechnician safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual alignment procedures with an automated electronic alignment system that determines alignment parameters through GPS-based measurements and displays directional indicators, eliminating the need for technicians to spend extended time on towers manually adjusting antennas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If manual alignment adjustment is used, then alignment can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and prone to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidalignment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback by displaying directional indicators that show the current alignment status and the desired target alignment, allowing technicians to make precise adjustments based on objective visual guidance rather than guesswork

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11076303B2Antenna alignment tool generating earth browser file and related methods

Publication Date: 2021.07.27 SUNSIGHT HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

An antenna alignment tool may include a housing to be temporarily mounted to an antenna during alignment. The antenna alignment tool may also include a processor carried by the housing and configured to determine actual position data, actual azimuth data, and actual tilt data for the antenna. The processor may also be configured to generate an earth browser file for displaying on an earth browser a representative antenna pointing directional indicator based upon the actual position data, actual azimuth data, and actual tilt data for the antenna.