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US 2015/0144758 A1Published application
Apparatus and method for accurate and precise positioning of cellular antennas
AssigneeFasmetrics S.A.
InventorDimitris Kolokotronis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An antenna mounting apparatus (10) in which an antenna bracket (32) can be rotated relative to a mount (20) in an azimuth direction and is selectively, automatically locked in position.
Claims22
A method of modifying an existing cellular antenna base station, comprising the steps of:
- providing an existing cellular antenna base station comprising a mast;
- attaching a reference frame to the mast;
- providing a global orientation and position measurement device;
- attaching the global orientation and position measurement device to the reference frame;
- measuring the global orientation and position of the reference frame using the global orientation and position measurement device;
- removing the global orientation and position measurement device from the reference frame;
- providing an antenna mounting assembly having an antenna bracket, the antenna mounting assembly configured to allow movement of the antenna bracket relative to the reference frame, the antenna mounting assembly comprising a sensor configured to measure the position of the antenna bracket relative to the reference frame;
- attaching an antenna to the antenna bracket.
5 more elements
An antenna mounting apparatus comprising:
- a first mount,
- an antenna mounting bracket attached to the first mount via a first rotational joint to allow rotation about a first axis;
- the first rotational joint comprising:
- a first locking mechanism arranged to lock the first rotational joint and a rotary sensor arranged to determine the articulation of the first rotational joint;
- wherein the first rotational joint comprises an interface plate defining:
- a drive interface for articulating the joint, a locking interface for selectively locking the joint using the first locking mechanism and a rotary sensor interface arranged to provide an output reading from the rotary sensor.
3 more elements
20-36. (canceled)
A method of operating a cellular communications antenna comprising the steps of:
- providing an antenna mounting system comprising:
- a mount;
- an antenna mounting bracket attached to the first mount via a first rotational joint to allow azimuth adjustment rotation about a first axis;
- an electric motor arranged to drive the antenna in rotation about the first axis;
- and, a locking mechanism arranged to selectively lock relative rotation between the mount and the antenna mounting bracket;
- disengaging the locking mechanism;
- engaging the electric motor to rotate the antenna mounting bracket;
- holding the antenna bracket in position using the electric motor;
- re-engaging the locking mechanism;
- disengaging the electric motor.
7 more elements
38-39. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.