Remote Antenna Orientation Determination Using Photogrammetry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining the position and orientation of antenna structures in mobile communications systems are costly, time-consuming, and prone to errors due to the need for direct access and manual measurement, which can be restricted and affected by external factors like wind and weather, leading to suboptimal antenna optimization.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that calculate the orientation of antenna structures based on digital images taken from a remote location, using distance measurement and image processing to determine the relative position and size of the antenna, allowing for automated data storage without the need for direct access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual measurement methods are used to determine antenna position and orientation, then direct access to antenna structures is required, but this leads to increased costs, time consumption, and errors due to access restrictions and external factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna position and orientation determination accuracyVSAvoidtime for measurement and data collection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses digital images as copies of the antenna structure to extract position and orientation data. Instead of physically measuring the antenna, the system captures images and processes them to determine the required parameters, eliminating the need for direct access and manual measurement while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement processes with automated image processing. The system substitutes human operators and physical measurement tools with computer-based image analysis algorithms that automatically extract antenna parameters from digital images

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If direct access to antenna structures is required for measurement, then measurement data can be collected, but this increases device complexity and operation difficulty due to access restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of antenna measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of measurement system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces digital images as an intermediary between the measurement system and the antenna structure. The image processing system analyzes these intermediary representations to determine antenna parameters, avoiding the need for direct interaction with the antenna while simplifying the measurement process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If manual measurement and data entry are used, then antenna parameters can be determined, but this increases the potential for errors and reduces reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of antenna parameter dataVSAvoidease of data collection process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through automated image processing. The system automatically extracts antenna position and orientation data from digital images without requiring manual measurement or data entry, eliminating human error sources while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the image processing system continuously refines its measurements and validates results against expected parameter ranges, improving reliability through automated quality control and error detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9316486B2Method and apparatus for determining and storing the position and orientation of antenna structures

Publication Date: 2016.04.19 DIMETOR GMBH

AI summary

Determining the position and orientation of base station antennas in mobile radio is highly important for optimizing the transmission parameters. It requires time-consuming and costly effort, since measurements need to be taken directly at the antenna. Furthermore, it is often impossible to access the antennas. This has a very disadvantageous effect on the precision of the data, which means that the optimizing results suffer greatly from this. The method according to the invention and the presented apparatus allow the position and orientation of the transmission antenna to be found quickly, precisely and inexpensively without needing to take measurements close to the antenna. This involves the absolute position of the antenna being determined by means of automatic determination of the coordinates of the reference point, measurement of distance to the target antenna, measurement of the angle of inclination and measurement of the orientation of the measuring equipment. Photogrammetric measurement methods, knowledge about the absolute dimensions of the antenna, and mathematical methods of conformal coordinate transformation are used to determine the orientation of the base station antenna to be measured from an image taken from the point of measurement.