Method for adjusting the gain of an antenna system

A method for adjusting a gain of a base station's antenna system, said method comprising the steps of:

• setting an output power of the base station to a predetermined value;
• closing a switch;
• sending, in response to the closing of said switch, a signal from a ground-based processor in a cabinet unit to an antenna-mounted processor indicating that an output power of said antenna system is to be measured;
• measuring the output power of the antenna system;
• comparing said measured antenna output power to a reference value stored in said antenna-mounted processor;
• and
• setting, in response to said comparison, an appropriate attenuation value in order to adjust the antenna's gain;
• wherein the adjustment of the antenna's gain occurs only during a base station's installation process.

A system for adjusting a gain of a base station's antenna system, said system comprising:

• means for setting an output power of the base station to a predetermined value;
• a switch in a cabinet unit for triggering an adjustment of the gain of said antenna system;
• a ground-based processor in said cabinet unit for sending to an antenna-mounted processor, in response to closing of said switch, an indication that an output power of said antenna system is to be measured;
• means for measuring the output power of the antenna system;
• means for comparing said measured antenna output power to a reference value stored in said antenna-mounted processor;
• and
• means for setting an appropriate attenuation value in order to adjust the antenna's gain;
• wherein said indication is transferred via a direct communications link from said cabinet unit to said antenna-mounted processor.

A system for adjusting a gain of a base station's antenna system, said system comprising:

• means for setting an output power of the base station to a predetermined value;
• a switch for triggering an adjustment of the gain of said antenna system;
• a ground-based processor in a cabinet unit for sending to an antenna-mounted processor, in response to closing of said switch, an indication that an output gain of said antenna system is to be measured;
• means for measuring the output power of the antenna system;
• means for comparing said measured antenna output power to a reference value stored in said antenna-mounted processor;
• and
• means for setting an appropriate attenuation value in order to adjust the antenna's gain;
• wherein the adjustment of the antenna's gain occurs only during a base station's installation process.