System and method to transport GPS signals and radio frequency signals over a fiber optic channel with power supplied over the fiber optic channel

A system within a structure for providing a location of the structure, the system comprising:

• an antenna mounted on the structure for receiving a front-end unit (FEU) GPS electrical signal from an orbiting satellite;
• a FEU gain stage for receiving and amplifying the FEU GPS electrical signal if the FEU GPS signal falls below a predetermined signal quality or signal strength;
• the FEU for converting the FEU GPS electrical signal to a FEU GPS optical signal, and transmitting the FEU GPS optical signal over an optical fiber to a back-end unit;
• the back-end unit (BEU) for receiving the FEU GPS optical signal, converting the FEU GPS optical signal to a BEU GPS electrical signal
• a BEU gain stage for receiving and amplifying the BEU GPS signal if the BEU GPS signal falls below a predetermined signal quality or signal strength and inputting the BEU GPS electrical signal to a GPS receiver;
• the GPS receiver for determining the location of the structure responsive to the GPS electrical signal;
• a power supply in the BEU for supplying power to the FEU over an optical fiber connecting the BEU and FEU;
• a controller in the FEU or the BEU for monitoring the GPS electrical signal or the GPS optical signal and for commanding the power supply to cease supplying power to the FEU for a predetermined first time interval, responsive to determining loss of the GPS electrical signal or the GPS optical signal;
• the controller for commanding the power supply to resupply power to the FEU at the end of the first time interval and for redetermining presence of the GPS electrical signal or the GPS optical signal after resupply of power;
• if the controller redetermines the GPS electrical signal or the GPS optical signal is present, commanding the power supply to continue supplying power to the FEU;
• if the controller determines the GPS electrical signal or the GPS optical signal is not present, during a second predetermined time interval or after a predetermined number of iterations, the controller iterating steps of:
• commanding the power supply to cease supplying power to the FEU for the first time interval;
• commanding the power supply to resupply power to the FEU at the end of the first time interval;
• redetermining presence of the GPS electrical signal or the GPS optical signal after resupply of power;
• if at any time during the second time interval or the predetermined number of iterations, the GPS electrical signal or the GPS optical signal is present, the controller for commanding the power supply to continue supplying power to the FEU;
• and
• at an end of the second time interval and if neither the GPS optical signal nor the GPS electrical signal is present, the controller for commanding the power supply to cease supplying power to the FEU and to issue an alarm.