AISG inline tilt sensor system and method
View Patent ↗A system and method is for orientating and monitoring orientation of telecommunications antennas. The system includes an AISG compliant tilt sensor system mounted in-line between a telecommunications antenna enclosure and a communications cable, and positioned to measure the elevation tilt and slant of a telecommunications antenna enclosure relative to a reference axis. The tilt sensor system measures the angle of tilt and angle of slant of the enclosure with respect to a reference axis, and communicates the values through the communications cable using the AISG protocol for analysis by a telecommunications system operator. A printed circuit board with suitable microprocessor and circuitry receives and processes the tilt sensor data and reports directional alignment information to the user via a user interface.
1. A method for detecting the alignment of a multi-band frequency telecommunications antenna including a bulkhead connector, the method comprising the steps:
providing a single directional sensor system comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), a microprocessor, a first and second connector connected to said PCB, a multi-axis tilt sensor having multiple individual communication ports adapted for measuring tilt and slant of a telecommunications antenna and a weatherproof housing;
providing said telecommunications antenna with multiple remote electrical tilt (RET) remote control units (RCUs) each associated with one of the multi-band frequencies;
providing a user interface adapted for reporting directional data obtained by said directional sensor system to the user;
providing at least one communications cable;
connecting one of said tilt sensor communication ports to each of said at least two RCUs;
connecting said user interface to said single directional sensor system with said at least one communications cable;
mounting the directional sensor system in-line with said bulkhead connector and perpendicular to the antenna;
obtaining directional data associated with the telecommunications antenna with said directional sensor system via said user interface;
determining the proper aiming direction for the communications beam;
comparing the obtained directional antenna data with the determined proper aiming direction;
aligning said telecommunications antenna with the determined proper aiming direction;
providing the measured tilt and slant from the single directional sensor system to each respective RCU; and
controlling the alignment of the antenna based on the measured tilt and slant and the respective frequency.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
said antenna bulkhead connector is an eight-pin standardized Antenna Interface Standards Group (AISG) compliant bulkhead connector; and
said communications cable comprises an eight-pin AISG compliant cable connector.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first and second connectors are eight-pin AISG compliant connectors positioned at 90 degree angles relative to the PCB.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein:
said first connector is a “female” type connector; and
said second connector is a “male” type connector.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step:
securing the antenna to a mast or other structure so that said communications beam is facing the desired direction.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the steps:
determining the proper aiming direction for the communications beam; and
unsecuring said antenna from said structure, adjusting the direction of said antenna to redirect the communications beam in a desired direction, and resecuring said antenna to said structure.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of mounting said tilt sensor parallel to the surface of said PCB.