JP2998700B2 - Antenna direction indicator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an antenna direction indicator, and more particularly to an antenna direction indicator for receiving satellite communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, communication utilizing a communication satellite is used to efficiently transmit various information. This communication is called satellite communication, which transmits data from one earth station to another earth station via a communication satellite. are doing.

On the other hand, in order to receive data by this satellite communication, an antenna for receiving a radio wave radiated from a communication satellite is required, and this antenna generally has a directional characteristic.

Accordingly, in order to perform satellite communication with high accuracy, it is necessary to adjust the azimuth and elevation of the antenna when installing the antenna from the viewpoint of the antenna directivity. This adjustment is generally performed such that the antenna direction is set to an azimuth angle and an elevation angle at which the received signal strength becomes maximum, from the reversibility of the antenna in transmission and reception.

As a prior art for adjusting the azimuth and elevation to maximize the received signal strength, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
"Level measuring device" disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 0-212046
There is. The adjustment of the azimuth angle and the elevation angle by the level measuring device will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration diagram of a conventional level measuring device. FIG. 6 (a) shows an overall view of performing level measurement using this level measuring device, and FIG. 6 (b). FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the upper surface of this level measuring device.

As shown in FIG. 6A, this level measurement uses an antenna 43 and a level measuring device 45 as main components.

The measurer 41 who measures the level of the antenna 43, while monitoring the level measuring device 45,
The antenna 43 is moved, and the antenna 43 is fixed in a direction such that the reception intensity of the antenna 43 is maximized.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the level measuring device 45 has an analog meter 47 and other switches on its upper surface.
By touching the needle No. 7 in response to the change in the reception intensity of the antenna, the measurer 41 can directly monitor the intensity of the signal received by the antenna 43 by visual observation.

Therefore, when installing the antenna 43 with the level measuring device 45, the installer or the measurer 41, etc., who installs the antenna 43, can use these indicators to obtain the maximum value of the received signal strength. It is stated that the azimuth angle and the elevation angle of 43 can be adjusted.

As described above, in the related art, the strength of the received signal is displayed using the analog meter. Further, in addition to the analog meter, the intensity of the received signal may be digitally displayed using a light emitting diode indicator as a digital meter.

[0012]

However, in the above-described conventional level measuring device, the direction in which the reception intensity of the antenna is maximized is determined by the measurer while viewing the analog meter or the digital meter. Therefore, for example, in a reception intensity meter that displays the reception intensity by an analog meter, there is a problem that an error due to individual difference between respective measurers is large, and therefore, the direction cannot be determined accurately. I have.

In a reception intensity meter that displays the reception intensity using a digital meter such as a light emitting diode indicator, for example, although the individual difference between the measurers can be eliminated, the disadvantage of the digital display is that the quantization is not sufficient. However, there is a problem that the direction cannot be determined with an accuracy higher than the display resolution at the time of digitization by the method.

Further, as shown in the graph of FIG. 5 showing the relationship between the directional angle of the antenna and the directional gain, in the vicinity of the directional angle at which the directional gain is maximum, the directional gain with respect to the change in the azimuth angle. Changes gradually. Therefore, in the conventional technique of changing the direction of the antenna and monitoring the change in the intensity, the change rate of the directional gain with respect to the change in the azimuth becomes gentle, so that the change in the gain is detected.
There is a problem that it becomes more difficult to accurately determine the direction of the antenna that maximizes the reception intensity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an antenna direction indicator capable of accurately determining the direction of an antenna exhibiting the maximum reception intensity.

[0016]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A first column fixed to the ground, a second column supported coaxially with the first column by the first column, and freely rotating in a horizontal direction; and a second column fixed to the second column. The fixed antenna and the second support having the second support as a central axis.
A first scale plate having a first figure formed on a surface thereof, the first scale plate being provided below the first scale plate, and having the second support as a central axis, A second scale plate that freely rotates around the second support and has a second graphic mirror-symmetrical to the first graphic on the surface thereof, and is fixed to the first support; It has a reading line for reading the scale of the first scale plate, and a fall prevention portion provided below the second scale plate and fixed to the second support.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the antenna fixed to the second support, which rotates freely in the horizontal direction, is provided with the reception intensity L _{MAX which is} lower than the maximum reception intensity L _MAX by which the reception intensity L is maximized. Turn in the direction of ₀ . This reception intensity L
_There are two antenna directions symmetrically with respect to the direction indicating the maximum reception intensity _LMAX as the center. The two directions are referred to as a first direction and a second direction, and the figure formed on the surface of the first scale plate is aligned with the first direction.
The second figure formed on the surface of the second scale plate is
The direction indicated by the intersection of the figures formed on the respective surfaces and being mirror-symmetrical to each other is the direction indicating the maximum reception intensity _LMAX . Maximum receiving strength L _MAX
Since the reception strength of the antenna in the vicinity of the reception strength L _{0 that has} decreased by a certain value from the reference value rises and falls very sensitively to the direction in which the antenna is directed, it is possible to accurately indicate the direction indicating the maximum reception strength L _MAX .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the first figure formed on the surface of the first scale plate is formed from the second support as the central axis.
Is a figure in which the length to the end of the scale plate decreases in a predetermined ratio as it goes in the clockwise direction, and the second figure formed on the surface of the second scale plate is A figure in which the length from the second support as the central axis to the end of the second scale plate decreases at the same predetermined ratio as the predetermined ratio as going in the counterclockwise direction. It is characterized by.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the operation of the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained, and the figures formed on each of the scales so as to be mirror-symmetrical to each other can be read from the second support as the central axis. Since the figure is such that the length to the end of the first or second scale plate decreases at a predetermined ratio in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the end point of one of the figures indicates In the direction, the above-mentioned reception intensity L
Set one direction of the direction indicated by _0, in the direction indicated by the end point of the one of the graphic and mirror-symmetrical shapes, setting the other direction of the direction indicating the reception intensity L ₀ described above, direction showing the maximum reception intensity L _MAX becomes the direction indicated by the intersection of these shapes may more accurately will be operation is performed that takes a middle point between two points, the direction of the antenna showing the maximum reception strength L _MAX Can be determined.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the first scale plate is formed of a transparent substrate.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the operation of the invention described in claim 1 or 2 can be obtained, and the first scale plates are formed of a transparent substrate, so that they have a mirror-symmetric relationship with each other. The intersection of the first graphic and the second graphic can be easily confirmed, and the maximum reception intensity L _MAX
Can be determined with high accuracy.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of an antenna direction indicator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an embodiment of an antenna direction indicator according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the direction indicator of the antenna according to the present embodiment has a column 2 fixed to the ground or a roof, and is set on the column 2 to be rotatable coaxially with the column 2. , And an antenna 7 fixed to the support 1 and receiving satellite communication.

The column 1 is provided with a disk-shaped scale plate 6 having the column 1 as a central axis and freely rotating around the column 1 formed by a transparent substrate, and provided below the disk-shaped scale plate 6. A disk-shaped scale plate 5 rotatably rotating around the column 1, a disk-shaped scale plate 5 provided below the disk-shaped scale plate 5 and fixed to the column 1, and a disk-shaped scale plate 5 6 and a disk 4 for preventing falling of the disk 6. Since the disk 4 is provided to prevent the disk-shaped scale plate 5 and the disk-shaped scale plate 6 from dropping, the disk 4 need not be a disk-shaped one as shown in FIG. If it is possible to prevent the fall, it is possible to replace it with another member such as a fall prevention bar.

Further, figures to be described later are formed on the surfaces of the scale plates 5 and 6, and the columns 2 are provided with read lines 3. The reading line 3 can be replaced with another member other than that shown in FIG. 1 if it is fixed to the column 2 and therefore indicates a direction fixed to the ground.

Since the scale plate 6 is formed of a transparent substrate, figures formed on the surface of the scale plate 5 can be easily read from the scale plate 6.

The configuration of the direction indicator of the antenna shown in FIG. 1 will be described in more detail. In FIG.
The support 1 supports an antenna 7 to be adjusted in direction. Prop 2
Is fixed to the ground or a building, and supports the column 1 while giving the column 1 free rotation in the horizontal direction. The reading line 3 is fixed to the column 2. Disk 4
Is fixed to the column 1 to prevent the scale plate 5 and the scale plate 6 from dropping. The scale plate 5 is printed with a tomographic figure and is placed on the disk 4 with friction. On the scale plate 6, a toe-shaped figure is printed on a transparent material similar to the scale plate 5, and the figure is mirror-symmetric with the scale plate 5. The scale plate 6 is placed on the scale plate 5 with friction.

The figures formed on the surfaces of the scale plate 5 and the scale plate 6 are, as described above, tomographic figures having a mirror-symmetric relationship with each other. Specifically, the figure on the scale plate 6 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a figure in which a predetermined length in the radial direction with the support 1 as a central axis decreases at a predetermined ratio as it goes clockwise. The figure on the surface of the scale plate 5 is a mirror image of this figure.

Next, the operation of the direction indicator of the antenna shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the relationship between the direction angle of the antenna and the directivity gain is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the directivity gain is maximum at a certain direction angle, but is characterized by being substantially symmetric about the maximum point. In the vicinity of the direction in which the directivity gain is maximum, the change in the directivity gain with respect to the change in the direction angle is gradual, but in the direction deviating from the maximum directivity gain, the directivity gain is extremely small. It can be seen that it goes up and down sensitively to the corner.

The present invention utilizes a change in directivity gain depending on the direction angle of the antenna as shown in FIG. First, the measurer of the reception strength of the antenna makes it possible to measure an approximate value of the reception strength of the antenna using, for example, a reception strength meter as shown in FIG.

Then, the measurer determines the direction in which the reception intensity of the antenna is approximately the maximum value. In the present invention,
High accuracy is not required in the direction in which the reception intensity of the antenna is approximately the maximum value.

Next, from the direction in which the reception strength of the antenna is substantially maximum, the direction of the antenna is turned, for example, clockwise to fix the antenna in a direction showing an arbitrary signal strength. It is preferable that the arbitrary signal strength be a value at which the signal strength can be easily read on the display device of the reception strength meter.

As described above, the signal strength is an arbitrary value (for example, L
Let it be 1. ), But a value that does not cause an individual difference in reading, such as a point that matches the scale on the display, is good.

In the state where the reception intensity of the antenna is at an arbitrary value L1, the end point of the tomogram on the scale plate 6 is made to coincide with the read line 3, as shown in FIG. FIG. 4A shows the relationship between the signal strength and the direction angle received by the antenna in this case.

As shown in FIG. 4A, this direction is shifted to the right from the point where the reception strength of the antenna is maximum.

After the end point of the scale plate 6 has been set as described above, the antenna is then turned counterclockwise to pass through the direction in which the antenna's reception strength is maximized, and again to the signal strength L1. Adjust the direction of the antenna to the same direction. At this time, the scale plate 6 is rubbed with the support 1 by friction.
Rotation is performed while maintaining the angular relationship with the support 1, that is, as if it is fixed to the support 1.

Then, in a state where the receiving intensity of the antenna is the same intensity L1 as before when the end point of the scale plate 6 is set, the end point of the tomographic figure of the scale plate 5 is shown in FIG. Align with read line 3 as shown. FIG. 4B shows the relationship between the signal strength received by the antenna and the direction angle in this case.

As shown in FIG. 4B, this direction is shifted to the left from the point where the reception strength of the antenna becomes maximum.

FIG. 3A shows the relationship between the received signal strength and the direction angle and the relationship between the scale plate 5 and the scale plate 6 as a result of executing the above procedure. FIG. 3B shows a linearized relationship between the angle and the tomogram for simplifying the description of the relationship between the scale plate 5 and the scale plate 6 in FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 3A, the scale plate 5 set in the direction in which the signal intensity becomes L1.
The figure formed on the surface of the scale plate 6 indicates that there is one intersection.

When the read line 3 is aligned with the direction of the intersection, the direction of the antenna becomes the direction showing the maximum received signal strength.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the direction indicated by the intersection will be described in more detail. Each end of the two triangles is one of the azimuths + θ degrees and -θ degrees indicating the received signal strength L1. I do. This is a characteristic that the antenna generally has, and is based on the fact that the antenna exhibits a symmetrical directional characteristic near the maximum value of the directional gain characteristic. Since the two triangles are substantially symmetric, the intersection of the hypotenuse is the midpoint between the ends, that is, 0 degrees when represented by an angle.

Therefore, if the direction of the antenna is adjusted so that the intersection of the tomograms as shown in FIG. 3A coincides with the read line 3, the antenna is adjusted in the direction in which the reception strength of the antenna becomes maximum. be able to.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to determine the direction in which the antenna reception strength becomes maximum irrespective of individual differences in the measurement strength of the antenna reception strength. Can be determined.

Further, in the vicinity of the above-mentioned reception intensity L1, the reception intensity of this antenna fluctuates extremely sensitively to a change in its directional angle. You can make a good decision.

In the above embodiment, the figures formed on the surfaces of the scale plate 5 and the scale plate 6 are tom-shaped figures as shown in FIG. Since the receiving strength of the antenna is symmetrical about the angle at which the receiving strength is maximized, the angle at which the receiving strength is maximized is determined by the angles on both sides of the angle at which the receiving strength is maximized. The figures formed on the surfaces of the scale plate 5 and the scale plate 6 can be variously modified as long as they indicate angles on both sides of the angles without departing from the gist of the present invention. .

[0048]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, if two points indicating the same received signal strength are obtained,
The point at which the received signal strength is maximum can be obtained. As an operating principle, it is sufficient to read two points of the same received signal strength. Can be provided that can determine the direction of the antenna that maximizes

Furthermore, at two points showing the same received signal strength, the rate of change of signal strength with respect to angle is greater than the rate of change of angle versus signal strength at the point of maximum signal strength. Even in the display, the effect of the error caused by the resolution is reduced, and the averaging process of finding the intermediate point is included in the operating principle. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an antenna direction indicator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a scale plate and a reading line shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between a position of a scale plate shown in FIG. 1, a signal intensity, and a direction angle.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between signal strength and direction angle.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a relationship between a direction angle and a directivity gain.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional level measuring device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 support 3 reading line 4 disk 5, 6 scale plate 7 antenna L1 arbitrary received signal strength

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A first support fixed to the ground; a second support coaxially supported by the first support and rotatably rotating in a horizontal direction; An antenna fixed to a second support; a first antenna having a first figure formed on a surface of the second support by freely rotating around the second support with the second support as a central axis;
A scale plate provided below the first scale plate, freely rotating around the second column with the second column as a central axis, and the first figure and the mirror on the surface thereof. A second scale plate on which a symmetrical second figure is formed; a read line fixed to the first support, for reading the scale of the first scale plate; A turn indicator for an antenna, comprising: a fall prevention unit provided below and fixed to the second support. 2. A first figure formed on a surface of the first scale plate, wherein a length from the second support as the central axis to an end of the first scale plate is clockwise. A second figure formed on the surface of the second scale plate, wherein the second scale is formed from a second support as the central axis. As the length to the edge of the plate goes counterclockwise,
2. The antenna direction indicator according to claim 1, wherein the figure is a figure decreasing at the same predetermined ratio as the predetermined ratio. 3. The antenna direction indicator according to claim 1, wherein the first scale plate is formed of a transparent substrate.