Antenna Attitude Measurement Sensor Using Sun Position and Gravity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antenna attitude measurement methods are prone to magnetic interference and inaccuracies due to reliance on compasses and manual measurements, leading to inconsistent and unreliable determination of azimuth, pitch, and roll angles, which affects network quality and optimization.
Innovation Solution
An antenna attitude measurement sensor comprising a sun position sensor, a three-axis gravity acceleration sensor, a GPS module, and a central processing unit, which calculates antenna project parameters by combining geographical position data, sun orbit information, and gravity acceleration data to deduce accurate azimuth, pitch, and roll angles, thereby avoiding magnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurement with compass is used to determine azimuth angle, then the measurement process is simple, but magnetic interference causes inconsistent and inaccurate results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compass-based measurement system with an optical system consisting of a sun position sensor, GPS module, and central processing unit. The sun position sensor optically tracks the sun's position, the GPS provides geographical coordinates, and the central processing unit calculates the azimuth angle through coordinate transformation, eliminating reliance on magnetic field detection and thus removing magnetic interference from the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the sun as an intermediary reference object for azimuth measurement. Instead of directly measuring magnetic north, the system measures the sun's position in the sky and uses astronomical calculations to derive the azimuth angle. This intermediary approach allows indirect determination of direction without being affected by local magnetic anomalies.
2Measurement precision
If manual inspection of scale marks is used to determine pitch angle, then the measurement method is simple, but different engineers produce different results causing large errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection of scale marks with an automated three-axis gravity acceleration sensor system. The sensor electronically detects the antenna's orientation relative to gravity, and the central processing unit calculates the pitch angle through coordinate transformation. This automated electronic measurement eliminates human subjectivity and variability, ensuring consistent results across different engineers and measurements.
3Measurement precision
If conventional testing means are used, then the equipment is simple, but the roll angle measurement is neglected causing great deviation in radio wave range calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the azimuth measurement function, pitch measurement function, and roll measurement function into a single integrated antenna attitude measurement sensor. The sun position sensor, three-axis gravity acceleration sensor, GPS module, and central processing unit work together to simultaneously determine all three attitude parameters (azimuth, pitch, and roll) through unified coordinate transformation calculations, providing comprehensive antenna orientation data without requiring multiple separate devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides accurate and reliable measurement of antenna project parameters, enhancing network construction, maintenance, and optimization by eliminating orientation inaccuracies caused by magnetic interference and improving measurement efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring, by the sun position sensor, an azimuth angle φ of incident sunlight on a reference surface of the antenna relative to the sun position sensor
Implementation Method 2
obtaining, by the three-axis gravity acceleration sensor, a pitch angle γ and a roll angle Θ of the antenna
Implementation Method 3
acquiring, by the GPS module, a geographical position and height of the antenna and standard time at a corresponding azimuth angle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided are an antenna attitude measurement sensor and an antenna attitude measurement sensor-based antenna attitude measurement method. The antenna attitude measurement sensor includes a sun position sensor (3), a three-axis gravity acceleration sensor (4), a Global Positioning System (GPS) module (5), a central processing unit, a power module and a storage and output module. The antenna attitude measurement method includes the following steps: a, mounting an antenna attitude measurement sensor; b, acquiring a geographical position, height, pitch angle γ and roll angle Θ of an antenna, an azimuth angle φ of incident sunlight relative to the sun position sensor and standard time at a corresponding azimuth angle; c, calculating a perpendicular incident angle α and a horizontal incident angle β ; d, calculating an azimuth angle δ of the antenna; and e, storing and outputting results. According to the antenna attitude measurement sensor and the attitude measurement method, the sunlight is combined with the other attitude measurement information of the antenna to realize the measurement of a direction of the antenna, so that orientation inaccuracy caused by magnetic interference during conventional magnetic orientation is avoided, the accuracy of the project parameter measurement data of the antenna is ensured, and a reliable foundation is provided for the construction, maintenance and optimization of the communication base station antenna.