US 2023/0155698 A1 · ANTENNA AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS MONITORING FOR WIRELESS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR PRIVATE, PUBLIC, AND FIRST RESPONDERS

Abstract

Antenna monitoring systems and methods can include, among other things, a transmitter near each of the antennas in a distributed antenna system (DAS). The transmitter can transmit an antenna identifier corresponding to that antenna, so that the various transmitters in the DAS each transmit different antenna identifiers. These antenna identifiers can be detected by a receiver and can be processed to determine whether any antenna identifiers are missing. If any expected antenna identifier is missing, the receiver can infer that the antenna or a component associated with the antenna (such as cabling) may have failed. The receiver can then output an indication or notification that may be accessed by maintenance personnel and/or emergency personnel to enable them to identify and repair the non-functioning antenna or component. The transmitter can transmit other data, such as environmental data, RF data, or the like, to facilitate additional or alternative monitoring functionality.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An antenna monitoring system, comprising:

a first transmitter configured to be placed in proximity with a first antenna, the first transmitter configured to transmit a first antenna functionality signal during each of first predetermined time intervals, the first antenna functionality signal including a first signal data associated with the first transmitter;
a second transmitter configured to be placed in proximity with a second antenna, the second transmitter configured to transmit a second antenna functionality signal during each of second predetermined time intervals, the second antenna functionality signal including a second signal data associated with the second transmitter, the second signal data being different from the first signal data;
and
a receiver configured to be in communication with the first and second transmitters, the receiver further configured to:
receive the first antenna functionality signal and the second antenna functionality signal;
and
generate an antenna functionality notification signal responsive to not receiving the second antenna functionality signal transmitted during one of the second predetermined time intervals, the antenna functionality notification signal carrying data indicative of the second antenna.

4 more elements

An antenna monitoring system, comprising:

a first transmitter including a first battery and a first local antenna, the first transmitter configured to be placed in proximity with a first antenna, the first transmitter further configured to transmit, during each of first predetermined time periods, a first antenna functionality signal that includes a first identification data identifying the first transmitter;
a second transmitter including a second battery and a second local antenna, the second transmitter configured to be placed in proximity with a second antenna, the second transmitter further configured to transmit, during each of second predetermined time periods, a second antenna functionality signal including a second identification data identifying the second transmitter, the second identification data being different from the first identification data, wherein the second transmitter is configured to transmit within a receive range of the second antenna and not within a receive range of the first antenna, and wherein the first transmitter is configured to transmit within the receive range of the first antenna and not within the receive range of the second antenna;
and
a receiver configured to communicate with the first and second antennas, the receiver further configured to generate a component failure notification signal indicating a possible antenna failure responsive to not receiving the second antenna functionality signal transmitted during one of the second predetermined time periods, the component failure notification signal identifying the second antenna.

1 more element

An antenna monitoring method, comprising:

by a first monitoring transmitter comprising a first battery and a first local antenna positioned in proximity with and within a receive range of a first antenna of a distributed antenna system comprising a plurality of antennas distributed within a space:
transmitting during a first time interval a first monitoring signal from the first local antenna of the first monitoring transmitter, the first monitoring signal including at least one characteristic indicative of the first monitoring transmitter;
receiving the first monitoring signal with the first antenna;
by a second monitoring transmitter comprising a second battery and a second local antenna positioned in proximity with and within a receive range of a second antenna of the distributed antenna system, the second monitoring transmitter being positioned closer to the second antenna than to the first antenna, and the first monitoring transmitter being positioned closer to the first antenna than to the second antenna:
transmitting during a second time interval a second monitoring signal from the second local antenna of the second monitoring transmitter, the second monitoring signal including at least one characteristic indicative of the second monitoring transmitter;
receiving the second monitoring signal with the second antenna;
and
by a monitoring receiver comprising a processor:
analyzing one or more signals received via the first and second antennas;
detecting a component failure of the second antenna responsive to failing to receive the second monitoring signal during or after the second time interval;
and
generating an antenna failure signal identifying the second antenna responsive to detecting the component failure of the second antenna.

9 more elements

An antenna monitoring method, comprising:

by a first monitoring transmitter comprising a first battery and a first local antenna positioned in proximity with and within a receive range of a first antenna of a distributed antenna system comprising a plurality of antennas distributed within a space:
transmitting during a first time interval a first monitoring signal from the first local antenna of the first monitoring transmitter;
receiving the first monitoring signal with the first antenna;
by a second monitoring transmitter comprising a second battery and a second local antenna positioned in proximity with and within a receive range of a second antenna of the distributed antenna system, the second monitoring transmitter being positioned closer to the second antenna than to the first antenna, and the first monitoring transmitter being positioned closer to the first antenna than to the second antenna:
transmitting during a second time interval a second monitoring signal from the second local antenna of the second monitoring transmitter;
receiving the second monitoring signal with the second antenna;
and
by a monitoring receiver comprising a processor:
analyzing one or more signals received via the first and second antennas;
detecting a low signal level condition of the second antenna responsive to receiving the second monitoring signal during or after the second time interval, the low signal level condition indicating a transmission by the second antenna at a signal level below a predetermined threshold signal level;
and
generating a level fault signal identifying the second antenna responsive to detecting the low signal level condition of the second antenna.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Antenna and environmental conditions monitoring for wireless and telecommunications for private, public, and first responders

Life of this patent

Antenna and environmental conditions monitoring for wireless and telecommunications for private, public, and first responders

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21