WO2020202115A1 - Système et procédé d'alignement d'au moins une antenne au niveau d'un site cellulaire - Google Patents

Système et procédé d'alignement d'au moins une antenne au niveau d'un site cellulaire Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020202115A1
WO2020202115A1 PCT/IB2020/053236 IB2020053236W WO2020202115A1 WO 2020202115 A1 WO2020202115 A1 WO 2020202115A1 IB 2020053236 W IB2020053236 W IB 2020053236W WO 2020202115 A1 WO2020202115 A1 WO 2020202115A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
antenna
server
cell site
lot device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2020/053236
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Deepak Gupta
Atul Agrawal
Renuka Nair
Nekiram Khosya
Santosh Herald Pinto
Yog VASHISHTH
Anup Prabhakar Ghodekar
Adityakar Jha
Original Assignee
Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Application filed by Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited filed Critical Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited
Publication of WO2020202115A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020202115A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/125—Means for positioning
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/005—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system using remotely controlled antenna positioning or scanning
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/12—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
    • H04L67/125—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks involving control of end-device applications over a network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/30—Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes
    • H04W4/38—Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for collecting sensor information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/70—Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/12—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S40/00—Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them
    • Y04S40/18—Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to techniques for determining antenna alignment and more particularly but not exclusively, to such techniques for determining the alignment of antennas for base stations in cellular communications systems and the like such as microwave radio antenna on cell towers.
  • An antenna system is an electrical device which converts electric power into radio waves, and vice versa.
  • the system is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver.
  • a radio transmitter supplies an electric current oscillating at radio frequency (i.e. a high- frequency alternating current (AC)) to the antenna's terminal system, and the antenna radiates the energy from the current as electromagnetic waves (radio waves).
  • the antenna intercepts some of the power of an electromagnetic wave to produce a tiny voltage at its terminals that is applied to a receiver to be amplified to receive the signals.
  • the antenna consists of material that conducts electricity arranged in such a way that it is in tune with the frequency of a radio signal.
  • the wireless communications rely on telecommunication antennae to transmit information to wireless devices such as mobile telephones including cellular, PCS, GMS and the like.
  • wireless devices such as mobile telephones including cellular, PCS, GMS and the like.
  • the antenna system plays a crucial role in transmission of signals and can have multiple antennas system like GPS IFA Antenna, Diversity Cell Antenna, High Band Arm Antenna, Low Band Arm Antenna, Transmit/Receive Antenna (Dual Band IFA) Antenna, etc.
  • the telecommunications tower antennae system is generally placed at the top of the tower and at higher altitudes, such as on transmission towers and hi-rise buildings.
  • the antennae system must be aligned with an orientation point, with azimuth (within a horizontal plane/Heading), pitch (M-Tilt) and roll in the field with a considerable degree of precision for optimum broadcast and reception quality in addition to achieving a maximum broadcast range.
  • each directional antenna in a cellular communications system is intended to face a specific direction (referred to as "azimuth") relative to true north, to be inclined at a specific downward angle with respect to the horizontal in the plane of the azimuth (referred to as “tilt” aka “pitch”), and to be vertically aligned with respect to the horizontal (referred to as “roll” aka “skew”).
  • azimuth a specific direction relative to true north
  • tilt aka tilt
  • roll vertically aligned with respect to the horizontal
  • Undesired changes in azimuth, tilt, and roll will detrimentally affect the coverage of a directional antenna.
  • the more accurate the installation the better the network performance that may be achieved within the area served by the antenna.
  • an antenna's azimuth, tilt, and/or roll can change over time, due to the presence of high winds, corrosion, poor initial installation, vibration, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, or other factors.
  • the service providers must conduct periodic audits of their communication antennas to ensure that each antenna has not deviated significantly from its desired azimuth, tilt, and/or roll directions.
  • the service providers frequently hire third-party tower companies to perform audits and to make any necessary adjustments to maintain the desired alignment.
  • Such audits may be labour-intensive and dangerous, frequently requiring certified tower climbers to physically inspect each antenna, and to take appropriate measurements to determine any deviance from the desired positioning.
  • This task can become even more time consuming if many towers are affected because of a natural calamity such as earthquake hurricane or storm, in which case, it could take between two to four months to determine which towers have been affected, as the antennas must be checked one by one.
  • the differential GPS Global Positioning System
  • GPS global positioning system
  • One of the known prior art solution describes techniques that detect changes in an antenna's alignment using gyroscopes and accelerometers.
  • the described method acknowledges the inherent weakness in using magnetometers in that they are "subject to local distortions in the earth's magnetic field" and, as a result, only claims “to detect only the relative change from an antenna's previously satisfactory orientation," not its current alignment.
  • the described method does not address the antenna's geolocation (i.e., latitude, longitude, and altitude).
  • the Antenna Interface Standards Group released the two extension specifications Standard Nos. AISG-ES-ASD v2.1.0 and AISG-ES-GLS v2.1.0 defining the required functionality of alignment sensor devices and geographic location sensors, respectively, which requires devices to determine and report the current alignment and position of an antenna over the existing interface defined by Standard No. AISG v2.0, the teachings of all three of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
  • AISG alignment extension specification allows the operators of antennas to set desired angles for things like azimuth pointing angle and mechanical tilts. It further allows the operators to set "thresholds" which will subsequently trigger alarms if the angles change from the desired angles such that the thresholds are exceeded.
  • one another known prior art solution for example describes techniques that detect changes in an antenna's alignment using gyroscopes and accelerometers and takes care of "local distortions in the earth's magnetic field" and, as a result, claims to detect not only the relative change from an antenna's previously satisfactory orientation but also its current alignment.
  • the described method addresses the antenna's geolocation (i.e., latitude, longitude, and altitude).
  • the described method acknowledges the inherent weakness in not using NB-loT framework to determine and report the current alignment and position of an antenna over the existing interface and continuously monitoring the current alignment and position of base station antennas that can be seamlessly integrated into the existing infrastructure with NB-loT framework.
  • the NB-loT technology has been implemented in licensed bands.
  • the licensed bands of LTE are used for exploiting this technology.
  • This technology makes use of a minimum system bandwidth of 180 KHz i.e. one PRB (Physical Resource Block) is allocated for this technology.
  • the NB-loT is a separate RAT (Radio Access Technology).
  • the NB- loT can be deployed in 3 modes "in-band", “guard band” and "standalone”. In the "in-band” operation, resource blocks present within LTE carrier are used. The inner resource blocks are not used as they are allotted for synchronization of LTE signals.
  • guard band resource blocks between LTE carriers that are not utilized by any operator are used.
  • standalone GSM frequencies are used, or possibly unused LTE bands are used.
  • Release 13 contains important refinements like discontinuous reception (eDRX) and power save mode.
  • the PSM Power Save Mode ensures battery longevity in release 12 and is completed by eDRX for devices that need to receive data more frequently.
  • the NB-loT technology focuses on devices like meter reading of water and electricity consumption that are stationery. Some of the use cases are: facility management services, fire alarms for home and commercial properties, tracking of persons and objects.
  • the industries where NB-loT services can add value are: Smart city, smart home, Safety and security, agriculture, health care and Energy.
  • Another example for loT industry includes logistic tracking.
  • the tracking devices on shipping containers send huge volumes of sensor data that are collected and taken for analysis to make sure that real-time tracing of shipment locations can be made possible.
  • the output display units are used for receiving alerts and optimized with service recommendations.
  • the NB-loT technology support low power consumption, use of low-cost devices and provides excellent coverage.
  • the current system also does not have any such system for antenna alignment tool with NB-loT data upload/download channel that can conduct periodic audits of the antennas to ensure that each antenna has not deviated significantly from its desired azimuth, tilt, and/or roll directions and make any necessary adjustments to maintain the desired alignment.
  • an object of the present disclosure is to provide a method and system of aligning at least one antenna at a cell site. It is also an object of the invention to provide better antenna alignment tool with NB-loT data upload/download channel that can conduct periodic audits to ensure that each antenna has not deviated significantly from its desired azimuth, tilt, and/or roll directions and make any necessary adjustments to maintain the desired alignment.
  • One more object of the present invention is to provide with better antenna alignment tool that has eight-bit general-purpose microcontroller (MCU) for X, Y and Z magnetic field sample collection for azimuth, tilt and roll calculation while processing the magnetic field sample collection on the cloud removing the complex MCU processing.
  • MCU general-purpose microcontroller
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide with better antenna alignment tool that uses NB-loT data upload/download channel and process the magnetic field sample collection on the cloud removing the complex MCU processing.
  • One another object of the present invention is to provide with better antenna alignment tool that uses six axis magnetic sensor device which is very cost-effective as compared to differential GPS and is unique in design as per the disclosure.
  • one more object of the present invention is to provide with better antenna alignment tool that is based on greenfield and is battery powered which harvest energy using solar cell.
  • one other object of the present invention is to provide with better antenna alignment tool wherein the antenna alignment tool is placed at the edge of the communication antenna occupying very less space and no shadow area for the component placement.
  • another object of the present invention is to provide with better antenna alignment tool that adds value wherein no performance degradation happens in the presence of plastic housing. Another object of the present invention is to provide with better antenna alignment tool that provides an optimum method of Impedance matching without any additional passive component requirement.
  • the one more object of the present invention is to provide with better antenna alignment tool that is low cost to produce and easy to assemble.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide with better antenna alignment tool that needs one-time installation and can be integrated with the communication antenna based on service operator's configurable parameter and does not require any further field visit by any technician. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide with better antenna alignment tool that is mechanically stable.
  • the present disclosure provides a method and system of aligning at least one antenna at a cell site.
  • One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of aligning at least one antenna at a cell site.
  • the method comprises receiving, at an NB-loT device, a data collection command from a server, wherein said data collection command is based on a successful mapping of said NB-loT device on said cell site comprising said at least antenna. Thereafter the method encompasses collecting, via the NB-loT device, at least one first set of data relating to a location, based on said received data collection command.
  • the method further comprises transmitting, via the NB-loT device, to the server, said collected at least one first set of data.
  • the method leads to receiving, at the NB-loT device from said server, at least one second set of data, wherein said at least one second set of data is calculated based on said at least one first set of data. Further, the method encompasses aligning, via the NB-loT device, said at least one antenna at said cell site, based on said received at least one second set of data.
  • the system comprises a transceiver unit, configured to receive, a data collection command from a server, wherein said data collection command is based on a successful mapping of said system on said cell site comprising said at least antenna.
  • the system further comprises at least one processing unit, configured to collect, at least one first set of data relating to a location, based on said received data collection command. Thereafter the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit, to the server, said collected at least one first set of data, and also to receive, from said server, at least one second set of data, wherein said at least one second set of data is calculated based on said at least one first set of data.
  • the processing unit is further configured to align, said at least one antenna at said cell site, based on said received at least one second set of data.
  • the NB-loT device comprises a system and the system is configured to receive, a data collection command from a server, wherein said data collection command is based on a successful mapping of said NB-loT device on said cell site comprising said at least antenna.
  • the system further configured to collect, at least one first set of data relating to a location, based on said received data collection command.
  • the system thereafter configured to transmit, to the server, said collected at least one first set of data.
  • the system further configured to receive, from said server, at least one second set of data, wherein said at least one second set of data is calculated based on said at least one first set of data.
  • the system further configured to align, said at least one antenna at said cell site, based on said received at least one second set of data.
  • FIG.l illustrates an exemplary network architecture diagram [100] for aligning at least one antenna at a cell site, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG.2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system [200] for aligning at least one antenna at a cell site, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG.3 illustrates an exemplary method flow diagram [300], depicting a method for aligning at least one antenna at a cell site, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG.4 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of Six-axis Magnetometer [400], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG.5 illustrates an exemplary working flow diagram [500], depicting a process for aligning at least one antenna at a cell site, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail.
  • well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
  • individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged.
  • a process is terminated when its operations are completed, but could have additional steps not included in a figure.
  • a process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.
  • embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof.
  • the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a machine-readable medium.
  • a processor(s) may perform the necessary tasks.
  • the "NB-loT device” or “loT device” or “User Device” refers to any electrical, electronic, electromechanical and computing device.
  • the NB-loT device is capable of receiving and/or transmitting one or parameters, performing function/s, communicating with other NB- loT devices as well as legacy devices and transmitting data to the devices.
  • the NB-loT device may have a processor, a display, a memory, a battery and an input means such as a hard keypad and/or a soft keypad.
  • the at least one NB-loT device may include, but is not limited to, a thermostat, an electric switch, a washing machine, a computing device, a coffee maker, a refrigerator, a headphone, a lamp, a room sensor, a microwave, a fan, a light and any such device that is obvious to a person skilled in the art.
  • NB-loT devices may be capable of operating on any radio access technology including but not limited to IP-enabled communication, Zig Bee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Near Field Communication, Z-Wave, etc.
  • a "processor” or “processing unit” includes one or more processors, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions.
  • a processor may be a general- purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, a low-end microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc.
  • the processor may perform signal coding data processing, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor or processing unit is a hardware processor.
  • a “transceiver unit” may include at least one of a “transmitter unit” configured to transmit at least one data and/or signals to one or more destination units and a “receiver unit” configured to receive at least one data and/or signals from one or more source units. Also, the “transceiver unit” may further include, any other similar units obvious to a person skilled in the art, required to implement the features of the present invention.
  • a computer-readable medium includes read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices or other types of machine-accessible storage media.
  • the present invention facilitates alignment of at least one antenna at a cell site.
  • the present invention provides a better antenna design system for better antenna alignment tool with NB- loT data upload/download channel that can conduct periodic audits to ensure that each antenna has not deviated significantly from its desired azimuth, tilt, and/or roll directions and also can make any necessary adjustments to maintain the desired alignment.
  • the present invention provides a novel and inventive method and system that would add value to the confidence of the service operator in using the device optimally by making antenna communications system more robust.
  • the present invention in order to facilitate alignment of said at least one antenna at said cell site encompasses triggering via a Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-loT) device, a server associated with said cell site, to start a calibration process between said server and the NB-loT device.
  • the present invention thereafter comprises receiving at said NB-loT device a data collection command from said server.
  • the said data collection command is received upon a successful calibration between said NB-loT device and the server, based on a successful mapping of said NB- loT device on said cell site comprising said at least antenna.
  • the present invention thereafter comprises collecting, via said NB-loT device, at least one first set of data relating to a location, based on said received data collection command.
  • the present invention then encompasses transmitting, via the NB-loT device, to the server, said collected at least one first set of data. Further, the present invention comprises receiving at the NB-loT device from said server, at least one second set of data, wherein said at least one second set of data is calculated based on said at least one first set of data. Thereafter the present invention comprises aligning, via the NB-loT device, said at least one antenna at said cell site, based on said received at least one second set of data.
  • the present invention encompasses receiving, at the NB-loT device, a re-transmitted data collection command from the server.
  • the said error may further calculated on the basis of at least one of a missing data, a corrupted data and any other such parameter.
  • the NB-loT device then re collects the at least one first set of data based on said re-transmitted data collection command and again transmits said re-collected first set of the data to the server.
  • the present invention provides a novel and inventive solution of aligning at least one antenna at a cell site.
  • FIG. 1 an exemplary diagram of the network architecture [100], in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.
  • a plurality of NB-loT devices [102(A)], [102(B)], [102(C)] . [102(N)]
  • NB-loT device [102] may be connected to at least one server [106] via at least one network unit [104]
  • the server [106] is further connected to a cell site comprising at least one antenna (the same is not shown in the figure 1 for the purpose of clarity).
  • the network architecture [100] may comprises other wireless devices capable to operate on one or more cellular technologies including but not limited to LTE, 5G and the like.
  • the network [104] may be a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination thereof.
  • the network [104] may be a single network or a combination of two or more networks.
  • network [104] provides a connectivity between said at least one NB-loT device [102] and the at least one server [106]
  • the network [104] may further comprise at least one NB-loT data upload/download channel to enable the connectivity between said NB-loT device [102] and the server [106].
  • the server [106] is connected to said NB-loT device [102] via said network [104] Also, the server [106] is further connected to a cell site comprising at least one antenna.
  • the connectivity between said NB-loT device [102] and said server [106], further enables the NB-loT device [102] to collect at least one information relating to said at least one antenna of said cell site, based on a data collection command received from said server [106]
  • the said NB-loT device [102] is a "smart computing device", capable of receiving and/or transmitting one or more parameters, performing function/s, communicating with other NB-loT devices as well as legacy devices and transmitting data to the devices.
  • the NB-loT device [102] may have a processor, a display, a memory, a battery and an input means such as a hard keypad and/or a soft keypad. Also, the NB-loT devices [102] may be capable of operating on any radio access technology including but not limited to IP-enabled communication, Zig Bee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Near Field Communication, Z-Wave, etc.
  • the NB-loT device [102] receives and transmits one or more data and signals over an NB- loT data upload/download channel from said server [106], to conduct periodic audits to ensure that said at least one antenna of said cell site associated with said server [106] has not deviated significantly from its desired azimuth, tilt, and/or roll directions and also to make any necessary adjustments to maintain the desired alignment.
  • NB-loT device [102] and server [106] are shown in Fig. 1, however, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention encompasses use of any number of such user NB-loT device [102] and server [106], as may be necessary to implement the features of the invention.
  • the Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a system [200] for aligning at least one antenna at a cell site, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the system [200] comprises at least one antenna [202], at least one processing unit [208], at least one transceiver unit [204], at least one NB-loT module [206], at least one 6 axis magnetometer & accelerometer [210], at least one solar charger along with associated one or more battery [212] and at least one solar panel [214] Also in an example all the components and/or units of the system are interconnected with each other to implement the features of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates only a single exemplary system [200], however, there may be one or more such systems configured to implement the features of the present invention independently or such one or more systems [200] may be residing in at least one of an NB-loT device [102] and any other wireless communication device capable to operate on one or more cellular technologies including but not limited to LTE, 5G and the like, to implement the features of the present invention.
  • NB-loT device any other wireless communication device capable to operate on one or more cellular technologies including but not limited to LTE, 5G and the like, to implement the features of the present invention.
  • the antenna [202] of the system [200] may comprise an NB-loT antenna and said antenna [202] is coupled to the transceiver unit [204], and the antenna [202] is configured to transmit and/or receive radio signals via said transceiver unit [204]
  • the antenna [202] enables the communication of the system [200] with the server [106], over at least one network [104]
  • the system [200] is configured to trigger the server [106] to enable a connectivity via said network [104], between said system [200] and said server [106] associated with the said cell site comprising said at least one antenna. Further said triggering is based on a mapping of said system [200] with said cell site. The mapping further comprises matching via the processing unit [208] of the system [200], at least one unique identifier of said system [200] with at least one unique identifier of said cell site. Further said unique identifier may include but not limited to an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number or the like unique identification identifiers/codes.
  • IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity
  • a calibration process is then initiated between said system [200] and said server [106] Further, in an event of proper rotation of the system, a successful calibration is achieved with 360 samples. The successful calibration is achieved while rotating the NB-loT device [102] comprising said system [200] in the figure of 8 pattern. Further, for measuring for the first time azimuth, tilt and roll values the NB-loT device [102] is being installed on antenna top with the help of a test fixture (unique identifier) available for one time measurement and by pressing the measurement tab at the NB-loT device [102] to start measurements.
  • a test fixture unique identifier
  • the transceiver unit [204] is connected to the antenna [202]
  • the transceiver unit [204] is configured to receive, a data collection command from the server [106], wherein said data collection command is based on a successful mapping of said system [200] on said cell site comprising said at least antenna.
  • the NB-loT module [206] is connected to the transceiver unit [204]
  • the NB-loT module [206] comprises programmable functionality to operate in LTE Band 3 and Band 5 or any other applicable bands.
  • the NB-loT module [206] interacts with the processing unit [208] on UART serial interface and also NB-loT module [206] interacts with the server [106] on over the air interface (OTA) using NB-loT antenna [202]
  • OTA air interface
  • the processing unit [208] of the system [200] is connected to the transceiver unit [204] and the NB-loT module [206]
  • the processing unit [208] features Analog, Core Independent Peripherals and Communication Peripherals, combined with extreme Low-Power (XLP) technology for a wide range of general-purpose and low-power applications.
  • the processing unit [208] interacts with the NB-loT module [206] over UART (Universal asynchronous receiver transmitter) interface.
  • the processing unit [208] is configured to collect, at least one first set of data relating to a location, based on said received data collection command.
  • the location may be a specific coverage area associated with the said cell site.
  • the processing unit [208] in an event may further configured to collect periodically the at least one first set of data relating to said location of said cell site.
  • the number of samples of said at least one first set of data to be collected by said processing unit [208] is based on said server [106] For instance, in an event of measurement/calculation of at least one set of second data by the server [106], the required samples of said at least one first set of data to be collected may be 120 samples.
  • the first set of data comprises at least one of an azimuth value, a tilt value and a roll value, relating to said location of said cell site comprising said at least one antenna. Furthermore, said at least one first set of data is collected from one or more six-axis magnetometer and accelerometer.
  • the processing unit [208] interacts with the six-axis magnetometer and accelerometer on l 2 C (l-squared-C) interface.
  • the processing unit [208] collects at least one first set of data via six-axis magnetometer and accelerometer having 16-bit magnetometer analog-to-digital converter (ADC) resolution along with smart-embedded functions.
  • the six-axis magnetometer and accelerometer has a measurement range of ⁇ 1200 mT and also comprises an inbuilt voltage regulator for generating reference voltages for its ADC.
  • the Magnetometer measures X (Bx), Y (By) and Z (Bz) co-ordinates of Earth's magnetic field which are reported to the processing unit [208] as the first set of data.
  • an exemplary block diagram of a six-axis magnetometer is shown in the Figure 4, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4 the
  • Six-axis Magnetometer [400] comprises at least one X-Axis transducer [402], at least one Y-Axis transducer [404], at least one Z-Axis transducer [406], at least one voltage regulator [408], at least one analog to digital convertor (ADC) [410] and at least one embedded digital signal processing function unit [412], wherein said components of the Six-axis Magnetometer [400] are interconnected with each other to implement the features of the present invention. Further, the Six-axis Magnetometer [400], encompasses extensive embedded functionality to detect inertial and magnetic events at low power, with the ability to notify the host processor (i.e. processing unit [208]) of an event using its interrupt functionality.
  • the host processor i.e. processing unit [208]
  • one or more intergrated accelerometer and magnetometer sensors of said Six-axis Magnetometer [400] are factory calibrated for sensitivity and offset on each axis.
  • the Six-axis Magnetometer [400] also supports sleep mode functionality which gives device flexibility to transition between samples rates, such as high sample rate when sampling data and low sample rates when not in use to save power consumption.
  • the output data rates from said Six-axis Magnetometer [400] are selectable by the user for each sensor.
  • the Six-axis Magnetometer [400] also encompassesembedded orientation detection functionality with the ability to detect all six orientations.
  • the transition angles and hysteresis are programmable via said Six- axis Magnetometer [400], allowing for a smooth transition between portrait and landscape orientations.
  • the Six-axis Magnetometer [400] works in hybrid mode when sampling data for both magnetometer and accelerometer and interacts with master on standard serial data interface.
  • system comprises at least one storage unit configured to store said at least one first set of data, collected periodically or based on each data collection command.
  • the transceiver unit [204] is configured to transmit, to the server [106], said collected at least one first set of data.
  • the server [106] is thereafter configured to perform an error analysis based on a pre-defined permissible error limit in said at least one first set of data.
  • the server [106] identifies at least one error in the at least one first set of data based on at least one of an error detection and error estimation technique and/or formula.
  • the server [106] compares, said identified at least one error with the pre-defined permissible error limit. Thereafter if the identified at least one error exceeds the pre-defined permissible error limit, the server [106] then generates a re-transmitted data collection command.
  • the transceiver unit [204] in said event of more identified at least one error as compared to the pre-defined permissible error limit, configured to receive said re-transmitted data collection command from the server based on said error analysis.
  • the processing unit [208] in said event re-collects the first set of data to re-transmit said re-collected first set of data to the sever [106] Also, if the said identified at least one error is within the pre-defined permissible error limit, the server [106] calculates said at least one second set of data based on said at least one first set of data.
  • the transceiver unit [204] further configured to receive from said server [106], at least one second set of data, wherein said at least one second set of data is calculated based on said at least one first set of data.
  • the at least one second set of data comprises at least one of a corrected azimuth value, a corrected tilt value and a corrected roll value.
  • said corrected azimuth value, corrected tilt value and corrected roll value may be a current azimuth value, a current tilt value and a current roll value associated with the said location of said cell site comprising at least one antenna.
  • the server [106] is configured to calculate said at least one second set of data from said at least one first set of data i.e. the readings and measurements of the six-axis magnetometer and accelerometer.
  • said collected at least one first set of data may comprise rotation magnetometer measuring's of the X (Bx), Y (By) and Z (Bz) co-ordinates of the earth's magnetic field. Further said measured Bx, By and Bz values are transmitted to the server [106] as the collected first set of data. The server [106] thereafter based on one or more estimation formulas, determines the calibration matrix and estimation errors from said measured Bx, By and Bz values. Further, the server [106] calculates the second set of data comprising antenna azimuth, pitch and roll values based on said previously calculated calibration matrix and estimation error results.
  • the processing unit [208] is configured to align, said at least one antenna at said cell site, based on said received at least one second set of data.
  • the system further comprises the at least one solar panel [214] comprising a plurality of solar cells.
  • the said solar panel [214] is configured to harvest solar energy to provide continuous power supply required to align said at least one antenna.
  • the system also comprises the at least one solar charger along with associated one or more battery [212] configured to store said harvested solar energy and also to further provide the continuous power supply to each component/unit of the system [200]
  • the energy source is implemented in the system [200], based on said solar panel [214] and solar charger along with associated one or more battery [212]
  • the solar panel [214] receives sunlight and convert it into electric energy. This electric energy is processed to the solar charger along with associated one or more battery [212] Further, the battery may comprise a Li-ion battery.
  • the solar charger controls the flow of energy generated by the solar panel [214] and charges said associated battery in a controlled process.
  • the battery provides required electric power to the other active components of the system [200]
  • FIG.3 an exemplary method flow diagram [300] depicting a method of aligning at least one antenna at a cell site, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates only an exemplary method flow diagram [300] depicting an exemplary method of aligning at least one antenna at a cell site via an NB-loT device [102], however in another exemplary embodiements the method may encompasses aligning at least one antenna at a cell site via other wireless devices capable to operate on one or more cellular technologies including but not limited to LTE, 5G and the like.
  • the method begins at step [302]
  • the method at step [304] comprises receiving, at a Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-loT) device [102], a data collection command from a server [106], wherein said data collection command is based on a successful mapping of said NB-loT device [102] on said cell site comprising said at least antenna.
  • the server [106] is connected to the cell site comprising said at least antenna.
  • the method encompasses triggering the server [106], to enable a connectivity via a network [104], between said NB-loT device [102] and said server [106] associated with the said cell site comprising said at least one antenna. Further said triggering is based on a mapping of said NB-loT device [102] with said cell site.
  • the mapping further comprises matching of at least one unique identifier of said NB-loT device [102] with at least one unique identifier of said cell site.
  • said unique identifier may include but not limited to an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number or the like unique identification identifiers/codes.
  • IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity
  • a calibration process is then initiated between said NB-loT device [102] and said server [106], which further leads to said receiving of said at least one data collection command at the NB-loT device [102]
  • the method at step [306] comprises, collecting, via the NB-loT device [102], at least one first set of data relating to a location, based on said received data collection command.
  • the location may be a specific coverage area associated with the said cell site.
  • the method in an event further encompasses collecting periodically the at least one first set of data relating to said location of said cell site.
  • the number of samples of said at least one first set of data required to be collected is based on said server [106] For instance, in an event of measurement/calculation of at least one set of second data by the server [106], the required samples of said at least one first set of data to be collected may be 120 samples.
  • the first set of data comprises at least one of an azimuth value, a tilt value and a roll value, relating to said location of said cell site comprising said at least one antenna.
  • said at least one first set of data is collected from one or more six-axis magnetometer and accelerometer.
  • the at least one first set of data collected from the magnetometer comprises the measurements of X (Bx), Y (By) and Z (Bz) co-ordinates of Earth's magnetic field.
  • the method further comprises, storing at the NB-loT device [102], said at least one first set of data collected periodically and/or on the basis of the received data collection command.
  • the method further at step [308] comprises transmitting, via the NB-loT device [102], to the server [106], said collected at least one first set of data. Furthermore, the method comprises performing by the server [106] an error analysis based on a pre-defined permissible error limit in said at least one first set of data. The server [106] identifies at least one error in the at least one first set of data based on at least one of an error detection and error estimation technique and/or formula.
  • the method then encompasses, comparing via the server [106], said identified at least one error with the pre-defined permissible error limit. Thereafter if the identified at least one error exceeds the pre-defined permissible error limit, the method encompasses generating via the server [106], a re-transmitted data collection command.
  • the method then in said event of exceeding of identified at least one error comparing to the pre defined permissible error limit, comprises, receiving said re-transmitted data collection command from the server [106] based on said error analysis.
  • the method in said event re-collects the first set of data to re-transmit said re-collected first set of data to the sever [106]
  • the method encompasses calculating via the server [106], said at least one second set of data based on said at least one first set of data.
  • the method at step [310] comprises receiving, at the NB-loT device [102] from said server [106], at least one second set of data, wherein said at least one second set of data is calculated based on said at least one first set of data.
  • the at least one second set of data comprises at least one of a corrected azimuth value, a corrected tilt value and a corrected roll value.
  • said corrected azimuth value, corrected tilt value and corrected roll value may be a current azimuth value, a current tilt value and a current roll value associated with the said location of said cell site comprising at least one antenna.
  • the method comprises calculating via the server [106], said at least one second set of data from said at least one first set of data i.e. the readings and measurements of the six-axis magnetometer and accelerometer.
  • said collected at least one first set of data may comprise rotation magnetometer measuring's of the X (Bx), Y (By) and Z (Bz) co-ordinates of the earth's magnetic field. Further said measured Bx, By and Bz values are transmitted to the server [106] as the collected first set of data. The server [106] thereafter based on one or more estimation formulas, determines the calibration matrix and estimation errors from said measured Bx, By and Bz values. Further, the server [106] calculates the second set of data comprising current antenna azimuth, current pitch and current roll values based on said previously calculated calibration matrix and estimation error results.
  • the method at step [312] comprises aligning, via the NB-loT device [102], said at least one antenna at said cell site, based on said received at least one second set of data. Also, the method further encompasses harvesting of solar energy via a solar panel, to provide continuous power supply required to align said at least one antenna. The method also comprises converting said solar energy into the electric energy and thereafter storing said harvested energy to provide electric power to various components of said NB-loT device [102]
  • an aspect of the present invention relates to an NB-loT device [102], for aligning at least one antenna at a cell site.
  • the NB-loT device [102] comprises at least one system [200] configured to receive, a data collection command from a server [106], wherein said data collection command is based on a successful mapping of said NB-loT device [102] on said cell site comprising said at least antenna.
  • the system [200] is configured to trigger the server [106] to enable a connectivity via said network [104], between said system [200] and said server [106] associated with the said cell site comprising said at least one antenna. Further said triggering is based on a mapping of said system [200] with said cell site.
  • the mapping further comprises matching via the system [200], at least one unique identifier of said NB-loT device [102] with at least one unique identifier of said cell site.
  • said unique identifier may include but not limited to an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number or the like unique identification identifiers/codes.
  • IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity
  • a calibration process is then initiated between said NB-loT device [102] and said server [106], which further leads to said receipt of said at least one data collection command at said NB-loT device [102]
  • the system [200] is further configured to collect, at least one first set of data relating to a location, based on said received data collection command.
  • the location may be a specific coverage area associated with the said cell site.
  • the system [200] in an event may further configured to collect periodically the at least one first set of data relating to said location of said cell site. Also, in an event the number of samples of said at least one first set of data to be collected by said system [200] is based on said server [106]
  • the first set of data comprises at least one of an azimuth value, a tilt value and a roll value, relating to said location of said cell site comprising said at least one antenna.
  • said at least one first set of data is collected from one or more six-axis magnetometer and accelerometer.
  • the Magnetometer measures X (Bx), Y (By) and Z (Bz) co-ordinates of Earth's magnetic field which are reported to the system [200] as the first set of data.
  • system [200] is configured to store at the NB-loT device [12], said at least one first set of data, collected periodically or based on each data collection command.
  • the system [200] is configured to transmit, to the server [106], said collected at least one first set of data.
  • the server [106] is thereafter configured to perform an error analysis based on a pre-defined permissible error limit in said at least one first set of data.
  • the server [106] identifies at least one error in the at least one first set of data based on at least one of an error detection and error estimation technique and/or formula.
  • the server [106] is also thereafter configured to generate a re-transmitted data collection command in an event of exceeding of at least one identified error with respect to the pre-defined permissible error limit.
  • the system [200] in said event of more identified at least one error as compared to the pre-defined permissible error limit, configured to receive said re-transmitted data collection command from the server based on said error analysis.
  • the system [200] further, in said event re-collects the first set of data to re-transmit said re-collected first set of data to the sever [106]
  • the server [106] calculates said at least one second set of data based on said at least one first set of data.
  • the system [200] in said event, further configured to receive from said server [106], at least one second set of data, wherein said at least one second set of data is calculated based on said at least one first set of data.
  • the at least one second set of data comprises at least one of a corrected azimuth value, a corrected tilt value and a corrected roll value of said location of said cell site comprising at least one antenna.
  • the system [200] is configured to align, said at least one antenna at said cell site, based on said received at least one second set of data.
  • an exemplary working flow diagram [500] depicting a process of aligning at least one antenna at a cell site in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
  • the said process of aligning at least one antenna at a cell site starts at [Step 1], at [Step 1] the NB-loT Device [102] initiates/triggers the server [106] by sending an IMEI number to fetch/collect at least one first set of data (azimuth/tilt/roll) from NB-loT device [102], once the user press "measurement" tab.
  • the NB-loT device [102] thereafter configured to start a timer [504] at a coverage server [502]
  • the timer [504] is initiated for a time duration of 330 seconds for entire measurement process.
  • the coverage server [502] is a platform configured to store the information of antenna physical parameters like azimuth and m-tilt of each corresponding cell site. Also, the coverage server [502] is further configured to collect each corresponding cell site antenna azimuth and m-tilt periodically via NB-loT device [102] through cloud server in order to have always most updated information of each antenna and which for instance may be used for determining the RF coverage and capacity data.
  • Step 2 the process leads to starting a timer [506] at the server [106], wherein the timer [506] is started for a time period of 300 seconds.
  • the process leads to instructing via the server [106], the NB-loT device [102] to read at said at least one first set of data (azimuth/tilt/roll) from of at least one accelerometer and magnetometer.
  • the server [106] instructs the NB-loT device [102] to read said at least one first set of data, by sending a data collection command to said NB-loT device [102]
  • the NB-loT device [102] thereafter keeps sending the samples of at least one first data till it receives input to stop sending said samples of the at least one first set of data via said server [106]
  • the server [106] reads (Azimuth/Tilt/Roll) data of the accelerometer and magnetometer from the NB-loT device [102], to measure/calculate at least one corrected values of the Azimuth/Tilt/Roll. Thereafter, at [step 5], NB-loT device [102] shares the current value of (Azimuth/Tilt/Roll) to the server [106] for measurement.
  • the server [106] re-transmits the data collection command to the NB- loT Device [102] for re-collection of said at least one first set of data again.
  • said event of unsuccessful measurement at the server [106] is based on an error analysis, which further comprises exceeding of identified errors in the said first set of data compared to a pre-defined permissible error limit.
  • the Server [106] calculates the Azimuth/Tilt/Roll based on the said at least one first set of data and share the current (correct) value to the NB-loT device [102]
  • Step 9 if the server [106] is configured to instruct the NB-loT device [102] to stop sending samples of said at least one first set of data.
  • the NB-loT device [102] aligns the at least one antenna, once the antenna parameters [i.e. the corrected (current) values] received and thereafter the NB-loT device [102] stops the process.
  • the NB-loT device [102] displays an error message to the user. Also, in said event, the NB-loT device [102] displays the user the option to "Request for Measurement" again.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un système et un procédé d'alignement d'au moins une antenne au niveau d'un site cellulaire. Le procédé reçoit, au niveau d'un dispositif NB-IdO, une commande de collecte de données en provenance d'un serveur, sur la base d'une mise en correspondance réussie dudit dispositif NB-IdO sur un site cellulaire comprenant au moins une antenne. Le procédé collecte ensuite, par l'intermédiaire du dispositif NB-IdO, au moins un premier ensemble de données relatives à un emplacement, sur la base de ladite commande de collecte de données reçue. En outre, le procédé transmet, par l'intermédiaire du dispositif NB-IdO, au serveur, ledit au moins un premier ensemble de données collecté. Le procédé reçoit ensuite, au niveau du dispositif NB-IdO dudit serveur, au moins un second ensemble de données, sur la base dudit au moins un premier ensemble de données. En outre, le procédé aligne ladite au moins une antenne au niveau dudit site cellulaire, sur la base dudit au moins un second ensemble de données reçu.
PCT/IB2020/053236 2019-04-05 2020-04-04 Système et procédé d'alignement d'au moins une antenne au niveau d'un site cellulaire WO2020202115A1 (fr)

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8487813B2 (en) * 2009-06-01 2013-07-16 Siklu Communication ltd. Antenna alignment method and apparatus
US20170005390A1 (en) * 2015-07-03 2017-01-05 Kiban Labs, Inc. Modular antenna for integration with an internet of things (iot) hub and associated systems and methods

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8487813B2 (en) * 2009-06-01 2013-07-16 Siklu Communication ltd. Antenna alignment method and apparatus
US20170005390A1 (en) * 2015-07-03 2017-01-05 Kiban Labs, Inc. Modular antenna for integration with an internet of things (iot) hub and associated systems and methods

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