Portable AISG controller with smartphone interface and system
A Master Antenna Controller System is provided. In one example, the Master Antenna Controller System comprises a handheld wireless device and a RET Master. The handheld wireless device may comprise an Android OS or iOS based smartphone or tablet that includes Wi-Fi capabilities communications capabilities. The RET Master may provide full RET control based on the AISG 1.1 and 2.0 standards and communicate with the handheld wireless device via a wireless access point, such as a Wi-Fi server. The combination may be configured to provide extensive, screen-guided, intuitive RET diagnostics functionality. The RET Master itself may also include multiple different pre-defined tests (e.g. test one actuator, test one RET cable, test AISG signal from TMA) and also some standard electrical tests, e.g. measuring voltage, current etc. Additional higher-level functions may be provided on an Application on the handheld wireless device and communicated to the RET Master wirelessly or by USB connection.
1. An antenna controller system comprising:
an AISG controller; and
a handheld wireless device in wireless communication with the AISG controller,
the AISG controller comprising:
a processor;
an AISG-compliant interface, coupled to the processor;
an AISG diagnostics circuit coupled to the AISG-compliant interface and to the processor; and
a wireless access point interface, coupled to the processor;
the handheld wireless device comprising a wireless interface and an application layer; wherein the wireless interface of the handheld wireless device is wirelessly coupled to the wireless access point interface of the AISG controller;
wherein the processor is configured to receive diagnostics information from the AISG diagnostics circuit and provide the diagnostics information to the handheld wireless device via the wireless access point interface, and is further configured to receive control information from the handheld wireless device via the wireless access point interface and conduct control and configuration functions via the AISG compliant interface in response to the control information; and
wherein the application layer of the handheld wireless device comprises commands for configuring equipment coupled to an AISG bus.
2. The antenna controller system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless access point interface comprises a WiFi communications circuit.
3. The antenna controller system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless access point interface comprises a Bluetooth communications circuit.
4. The antenna controller system of claim 1 , wherein the AISG-compliant interface and the AISG diagnostics circuit are configured to check for continuity on an AISG bus.
5. The antenna controller system of claim 1 , wherein the AISG-compliant interface and the AISG diagnostics circuit are configured to perform electrical diagnostics at the physical layer.
6. The antenna controller system of claim 1 , wherein the application layer is configured to communicate scan commands to the AISG controller via the wireless interface.
7. The antenna control system of claim 1 , wherein the handheld wireless device further comprises an accelerometer.
8. The antenna control system of claim 1 , wherein the application layer of the handheld wireless device is configured to provide a close out package, the close out package including diagnostic information from the AISG controller, configuration information relating to devices on an AISG bus, and information derived from at least one sensor on the handheld wireless device.
9. The antenna control system of claim 1 , wherein the information derived from sensors on the handheld wireless device includes at least one of: location information, image information, antenna mechanical tilt information, and antenna azimuth alignment information.