Granted Patent B2

US 7,777,480 · App. 11/852,288 · Granted Aug 17, 2010

Abstract

Claims (24)

1. An antenna orientation sensor, for mounting upon an antenna arrangement, comprising:

a base configured for coupling to the antenna arrangement wherein the antenna orientation sensor contacts the antenna arrangement only via the base;

a pivoting support coupled to the base;

a magnetic sensor on the pivoting support;

an actuator operable to move the pivoting support through a calibration movement with respect to the base; and

a position sensor sensing the position of the pivoting support within the calibration movement.

2. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic sensor is a three axis magnetic sensor.

3. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 1 , wherein the position sensor is an optical sensor.

4. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 1 , wherein the position sensor is a two axis accelerometer.

5. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 1 , wherein the pivoting support is a printed circuit board.

6. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 5 , wherein the printed circuit board further includes a microcontroller coupled to the magnetic sensor and the position sensor.

7. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 6 , wherein an output of the microcontroller controls the actuator.

8. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 6 , wherein the microcontroller is coupled to a transceiver; the transceiver in communication with a remote controller.

9. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 8 , wherein the communication between the transceiver and the remote controller is via a communication network.

10. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 1 , wherein the pivoting support is a printed circuit board; and

the position sensor is a two axis accelerometer mounted upon the printed circuit board.

11. An antenna orientation sensor, for mounting upon an antenna arrangement, comprising:

a base configured for coupling to the antenna arrangement, wherein the antenna orientation sensor contacts the antenna arrangement only via the base;

a printed circuit board pivotally coupled to the base;

a three axis magnetic sensor and a two axis accelerometer on the printed circuit board;

a microcontroller on the printed circuit board receiving inputs from the three axis magnetic sensor and the two axis accelerometer;

an actuator operable to move the printed circuit board through a calibration movement with respect to the base; and

a position sensor sensing the position of the printed circuit board within the calibration movement.

12. The antenna orientation sensor of claim 11 , further including a global positioning circuit coupled to the microcontroller.

Assignments (11)