Drone-Based Automatic Antenna Alignment for Utility Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current site survey and RF testing for utility networks involving antenna alignment is laborious, time-consuming, and costly, especially due to the inefficiencies of using bucket trucks to access and replicate installations on tall assets, and the difficulty in achieving precise alignment.
Innovation Solution
A drone site survey tool with a drone controller that initiates automatic antenna alignment by calculating and adjusting the bearing and altitude of an RF Test Tool attached to a drone to achieve optimal alignment with a target device, utilizing GPS and altitude data for precise positioning and link testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bucket trucks are used to access and test antenna installations on tall assets, then alignment testing can be performed at installed height, but the process becomes laborious, time-consuming, and costly with reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical bucket truck system with an autonomous drone system equipped with RF testing equipment. The drone autonomously navigates to target locations, positions itself for signal reception, and performs alignment testing without human operators in bucket trucks, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The drone system performs self-navigation, self-positioning, and self-testing operations. The autonomous drone calculates its own bearing and altitude, positions itself optimally for signal reception, and executes RF alignment tests independently, eliminating the need for human operators and significantly reducing survey time and costs
2Reliability
If bucket trucks are used for site surveys, then equipment can be tested at designed location, but additional resource costs are incurred and mobility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the complex bucket truck system requiring operators, safety equipment, and coordination with a simple autonomous drone system. The drone carries minimal equipment (RF receiver and navigation systems) and performs all testing functions independently, reducing device complexity and resource requirements while maintaining testing accuracy through autonomous positioning and signal analysis
3Measurement precision
If manual alignment methods are used, then equipment can be positioned and tested, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual alignment procedures with automated drone-based RF testing. The drone autonomously navigates to the target, positions itself using GPS and inertial navigation, and performs alignment measurements by analyzing signal strength and quality from multiple angles, achieving high alignment accuracy while reducing survey duration from hours to minutes
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback through the drone's RF receiver that continuously monitors signal quality and provides data to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables automated adjustment and optimization of alignment parameters, ensuring high measurement precision while minimizing the time required for iterative manual adjustments
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method and apparatus for automatic antenna alignment. The method comprises receiving a request to initiate antenna alignment; collecting location data from the drone; collecting location data from the target device; calculating bearing and altitude of the drone and the target device using the collected location data; and aligning the drone with the target device based on the calculated bearing and altitude.