Patent US5548820A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5548820A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Antenna and feeder cable tester
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
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Filing: 1994-07-26
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Granted: 1996-08-20
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Expires: 2014-07-26
Abstract
Abstract In a communications system including a base station coupled to a transmission antenna by means of a transmission feeder cable, and coupled to a receiving antenna by means of a receiving feeder cable, a method and system for testing the antennas and feeder cables includes a testing apparatus located at or near the antenna end of the feeder cables. A processor located within the testing apparatus initiates tests in response to commands received from the base station by means of a digital interface, which preferably uses one or both feeder cables as a communications medium. The testing apparatus includes directional couplers for each of the feeder cables, and corresponding power detectors for measuring both forward (incident) and reverse (reflected) power. A test tone generator places a known signal on the receiving feeder cable to enable the receiving antenna VSWR to be measured, as well as to transmit the test tone down to the base station for use in measurement of receiving feeder cable attenuation. On the transmission side, incident power of a known signal supplied by the base station to the transmission feeder cable may be measured by the transmission power detector at the top of the transmission feeder cable. Measuring the amount of power reflected back by the transmission antenna then enables determination of the transmission antenna VSWR. All test results may be sent back to the base station, by means of the digital interface, for further analysis and status reporting.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Victorin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W24/00; H04B; H04B17/00; H04B17/10; H04B17/101; H04B17/103; H04B17/15; H04B17/17; H04B17/20; H04B17/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a transmission antenna by means of a transmission feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the transmission antenna, a testing apparatus comprising:. first means for measuring incident power of a signal at the top end of the transmission feeder; a processor, coupled to the first means, for controlling an incident power measurement operation and receiving an incident power measurement value; and communication means, coupled to the processor, for sending information from the processor to the base station, and for receiving information from the base station and supplying the received information to the processor, wherein in response to the received information being a first command, the processor initiates the incident power measurement operation, and wherein the communication means comprises a digital communications interface, coupled to the processor and having an interface for coupling to the top end of the transmission feeder cable, the communications means using the transmission feeder cable as a communications medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a transmission antenna by means of a transmission feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the transmission antenna, a testing apparatus comprising:. first means for measuring incident power of a signal at the top end of the transmission feeder; a processor, coupled to the first means, for controlling an incident power measurement operation and receiving an incident power measurement value; and communication means, coupled to the processor, for sending information from the processor to the base station, and for receiving information from the base station and supplying the received information to the processor, wherein in response to the received information being a first command, the processor initiates the incident power measurement operation, and wherein the communication means comprises a digital communications interface, coupled to the processor and having an interface for coupling to the top end of the transmission feeder cable, the communications means using the transmission feeder cable as a communications medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital communications interface is a serial input/output interface device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first means comprises: a directional coupler for detecting power at the top end of the transmission feeder cable; and power measuring means, coupled to the directional coupler, for measuring the detected power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein further the processor uses the communication means to send the incident measurement value to the base station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The testing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: second means for measuring, at the top end of the transmission feeder cable, power of a reflected signal from the transmission antenna, and wherein: the processor is further coupled to the second means, for controlling a reflected power measurement operation and receiving a reflected power measurement value; and in response to the received information being the first command, the processor initiates the reflected power measurement operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a receiving antenna by means of a receiving feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the receiving antenna, a testing apparatus comprising: a test tone generator, having an output for coupling to the top end of the receiving feeder cable; first means for measuring, at the top end of the receiving feeder cable, power of a reflected test tone signal from the receiving antenna; a processor, coupled to the test tone generator and to the first means, for controlling a reflected power measurement operation and receiving a reflected power measurement value; and communication means, coupled to the processor, for sending information from the processor to the base station, and for receiving information from the base station and supplying the received information to the processor, wherein in response to the received information being a first command, the processor initiates the reflected power measurement operation, and wherein the communication means comprises a digital communications interface, coupled to the processor and having an interface for coupling to the top end of the receiving feeder cable, the communication means using the receiving feeder cable as a communications medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a receiving antenna by means of a receiving feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the receiving antenna, a testing apparatus comprising: a test tone generator, having an output for coupling to the top end of the receiving feeder cable; first means for measuring, at the top end of the receiving feeder cable, power of a reflected test tone signal from the receiving antenna; a processor, coupled to the test tone generator and to the first means, for controlling a reflected power measurement operation and receiving a reflected power measurement value; and communication means, coupled to the processor, for sending information from the processor to the base station, and for receiving information from the base station and supplying the received information to the processor, wherein in response to the received information being a first command, the processor initiates the reflected power measurement operation, and wherein the communication means comprises a digital communications interface, coupled to the processor and having an interface for coupling to the top end of the receiving feeder cable, the communication means using the receiving feeder cable as a communications medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the digital communciations interface is a serial input/output interface device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first means comprises: a directional coupler for detecting power at the top end of the receiving feeder cable; and power measuring means, coupled to the directional coupler, for measuring the detected power.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein further the processor uses the communication means to send the reflected power measurement value to the base station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a transmission antenna by means of a transmission feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the transmission antenna, a method of testing the transmission feeder cable comprising the steps of: in the base station, supplying to the transmission feeder cable a signal having a known value of power; in a testing apparatus coupled to the transmission feeder cable, measuring incident power of the signal at the top end of the transmission feeder cable, thereby producing a measured value of incident power being supplied to the transmission antenna; transmitting the measured value of power to the base station; and in the base station, comparing the measured value of power to the known value of power.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a transmission antenna by means of a transmission feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the transmission antenna, a method of testing the transmission feeder cable comprising the steps of: in the base station, supplying to the transmission feeder cable a signal having a known value of power; in a testing apparatus coupled to the transmission feeder cable, measuring incident power of the signal at the top end of the transmission feeder cable, thereby producing a measured value of incident power being supplied to the transmission antenna; transmitting the measured value of power to the base station; and in the base station, comparing the measured value of power to the known value of power.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the steps performed by the testing apparatus are in response to a command received from the base station.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of transmitting the command from the base station to the testing apparatus via the transmission feeder cable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a transmission antenna by means of a transmission feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the transmission antenna, a method of testing the transmission antenna comprising the steps of: in the base station, supplying to the transmission feeder cable a signal having a known value of power; in a testing apparatus coupled to the transmission feeder cable, measuring incident power of the signal at the top end of the transmission feeder cable, thereby producing a measured value of incident power being supplied to the transmission antenna; in the testing apparatus, measuring, at the top of the transmission feeder cable, power of a reflected signal from the transmission antenna, thereby producing a measured value of reflected power; transmitting the measured values of incident and reflected power to the base station; and in the base station, determining a measured voltage standing wave ratio from the measured values of incident and reflected power, and comparing the measured voltage standing wave ratio with a predetermined voltage standing wave ratio.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a transmission antenna by means of a transmission feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the transmission antenna, a method of testing the transmission antenna comprising the steps of: in the base station, supplying to the transmission feeder cable a signal having a known value of power; in a testing apparatus coupled to the transmission feeder cable, measuring incident power of the signal at the top end of the transmission feeder cable, thereby producing a measured value of incident power being supplied to the transmission antenna; in the testing apparatus, measuring, at the top of the transmission feeder cable, power of a reflected signal from the transmission antenna, thereby producing a measured value of reflected power; transmitting the measured values of incident and reflected power to the base station; and in the base station, determining a measured voltage standing wave ratio from the measured values of incident and reflected power, and comparing the measured voltage standing wave ratio with a predetermined voltage standing wave ratio.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the steps performed by the testing apparatus are in response to a command received from the base station.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of transmitting the command from the base station to the testing apparatus via the transmission feeder cable.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a transmission antenna by means of a transmission feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the transmission antenna, a method of testing the transmission antenna comprising the steps of: in the base station, supplying to the transmission feeder cable a signal having a known value of power; in a testing apparatus coupled to the transmission feeder cable, measuring incident power of the signal at the top end of the transmission feeder cable, thereby producing a measured value of incident power being supplied to the transmission antenna; in the testing apparatus, measuring, at the top of the transmission feeder cable, power of a reflected signal from the transmission antenna, thereby producing a measured value of reflected power; in the testing apparatus, determining a measured voltage standing wave ratio from the measured values of incident and reflected power; transmitting the measured voltage standing wave ratio to the base station; and in the base station, comparing the measured voltage standing wave ratio with a predetermined voltage standing wave ratio.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a transmission antenna by means of a transmission feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the transmission antenna, a method of testing the transmission antenna comprising the steps of: in the base station, supplying to the transmission feeder cable a signal having a known value of power; in a testing apparatus coupled to the transmission feeder cable, measuring incident power of the signal at the top end of the transmission feeder cable, thereby producing a measured value of incident power being supplied to the transmission antenna; in the testing apparatus, measuring, at the top of the transmission feeder cable, power of a reflected signal from the transmission antenna, thereby producing a measured value of reflected power; in the testing apparatus, determining a measured voltage standing wave ratio from the measured values of incident and reflected power; transmitting the measured voltage standing wave ratio to the base station; and in the base station, comparing the measured voltage standing wave ratio with a predetermined voltage standing wave ratio.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the steps performed by the testing apparatus are in response to a command received from the base station.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of transmitting the command from the base station to the testing apparatus via the transmission feeder cable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a transmission antenna by means of a transmission feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the transmission antenna, a method of testing the transmission antenna comprising the steps of: in the base station, supplying to the transmission feeder cable a signal having a known value of power; in a testing apparatus coupled to the transmission feeder cable, measuring incident power of the signal at the top end of the transmission feeder cable, thereby producing a measured value of incident power being supplied to the transmission antenna; in the testing apparatus, measuring, at the top of the transmission feeder cable, power of a reflected signal from the transmission antenna, thereby producing a measured value of reflected power; in the testing apparatus, determining a measured voltage standing wave ratio from the measured values of incident and reflected power, and comparing the measured voltage standing wave ratio with a predetermined voltage standing wave ratio to generate a test result alternatively indicative of proper or faulty operation of the transmission antenna; and transmitting the test result to the base station.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a transmission antenna by means of a transmission feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the transmission antenna, a method of testing the transmission antenna comprising the steps of: in the base station, supplying to the transmission feeder cable a signal having a known value of power; in a testing apparatus coupled to the transmission feeder cable, measuring incident power of the signal at the top end of the transmission feeder cable, thereby producing a measured value of incident power being supplied to the transmission antenna; in the testing apparatus, measuring, at the top of the transmission feeder cable, power of a reflected signal from the transmission antenna, thereby producing a measured value of reflected power; in the testing apparatus, determining a measured voltage standing wave ratio from the measured values of incident and reflected power, and comparing the measured voltage standing wave ratio with a predetermined voltage standing wave ratio to generate a test result alternatively indicative of proper or faulty operation of the transmission antenna; and transmitting the test result to the base station.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the steps performed by the testing apparatus are in response to a command received from the base station.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of transmitting the command from the base station to the testing apparatus via the transmission feeder cable.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a receiving antenna by means of a receiving feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the receiving antenna, a method of testing the receiving feeder cable comprising the steps of: in a testing apparatus, supplying to the top end of the receiving feeder cable a test signal having a known value of power; in the base station, measuring, at a base station end of the receiving feeder cable, a power value of the test signal; and in the base station, comparing the measured power value with the known value of power.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a receiving antenna by means of a receiving feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the receiving antenna, a method of testing the receiving feeder cable comprising the steps of: in a testing apparatus, supplying to the top end of the receiving feeder cable a test signal having a known value of power; in the base station, measuring, at a base station end of the receiving feeder cable, a power value of the test signal; and in the base station, comparing the measured power value with the known value of power.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 22, further comprising, prior to the comparing step, the step of transmitting the known value of power from the testing apparatus to the base station.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the steps performed by the testing apparatus are in response to a command received from the base station.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of transmitting the command from the base station to the testing apparatus via the receiving feeder cable.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a receiving antenna by means of a receiving feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the receiving antenna, a method of testing the receiving antenna comprising the steps of: in a testing apparatus, supplying to the top end of the receiving feeder cable a test signal having a known value of incident power; in the testing apparatus, measuring, at the top of the receiving feeder cable, power of a reflected test signal from the receiving antenna, thereby producing a measured value of reflected power; transmitting the measured value of reflected power to the base station; and in the base station, determining a measured voltage standing wave ratio from the known value of incident power and the measured value of reflected power, and comparing the measured voltage standing wave ratio with a predetermined voltage standing wave ratio.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a receiving antenna by means of a receiving feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the receiving antenna, a method of testing the receiving antenna comprising the steps of: in a testing apparatus, supplying to the top end of the receiving feeder cable a test signal having a known value of incident power; in the testing apparatus, measuring, at the top of the receiving feeder cable, power of a reflected test signal from the receiving antenna, thereby producing a measured value of reflected power; transmitting the measured value of reflected power to the base station; and in the base station, determining a measured voltage standing wave ratio from the known value of incident power and the measured value of reflected power, and comparing the measured voltage standing wave ratio with a predetermined voltage standing wave ratio.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of transmitting the measured value of reflected power to the base station further comprises transmitting the known value of incident power to the base station.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the steps performed by the testing apparatus are in response to a command received from the base station.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of transmitting the command from the base station to the testing apparatus via the receiving feeder cable.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a receiving antenna by means of a receiving feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the receiving antenna, a method of testing the receiving antenna comprising the steps of: in a testing apparatus, supplying to the top end of the receiving feeder cable a test signal having a known value of incident power; in the testing apparatus, measuring, at the top of the receiving feeder cable, power of a reflected test signal from the receiving antenna, thereby producing a measured value of reflected power; in the testing apparatus, determining a measured voltage standing wave ratio from the known value of incident power and the measured value of reflected power; transmitting the measured voltage standing wave ratio to the base station; and in the base station, comparing the measured voltage standing wave ratio with a predetermined voltage standing wave ratio.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a receiving antenna by means of a receiving feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the receiving antenna, a method of testing the receiving antenna comprising the steps of: in a testing apparatus, supplying to the top end of the receiving feeder cable a test signal having a known value of incident power; in the testing apparatus, measuring, at the top of the receiving feeder cable, power of a reflected test signal from the receiving antenna, thereby producing a measured value of reflected power; in the testing apparatus, determining a measured voltage standing wave ratio from the known value of incident power and the measured value of reflected power; transmitting the measured voltage standing wave ratio to the base station; and in the base station, comparing the measured voltage standing wave ratio with a predetermined voltage standing wave ratio.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the steps performed by the testing apparatus are in response to a command received from the base station.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of transmitting the command from the base station to the testing apparatus via the receiving feeder cable.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a receiving antenna by means of a receiving feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the receiving antenna, a method of testing the receiving antenna comprising the steps of: in a testing apparatus, supplying to the top end of the receiving feeder cable a test signal having a known value of incident power; in the testing apparatus, measuring, at the top of the receiving feeder cable, power of a reflected test signal from the receiving antenna, thereby producing a measured value of reflected power; in the testing apparatus, determining a measured voltage standing wave ratio from the known value of incident power and the measured value of reflected power, and comparing the measured voltage standing wave ratio with a predetermined voltage standing wave ratio to generate a test result alternatively indicative of proper or faulty operation of the receiving antenna; and transmitting the test result to the base station.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a communications system including a base station coupled to a receiving antenna by means of a receiving feeder cable having a top end that is substantially at or near the receiving antenna, a method of testing the receiving antenna comprising the steps of: in a testing apparatus, supplying to the top end of the receiving feeder cable a test signal having a known value of incident power; in the testing apparatus, measuring, at the top of the receiving feeder cable, power of a reflected test signal from the receiving antenna, thereby producing a measured value of reflected power; in the testing apparatus, determining a measured voltage standing wave ratio from the known value of incident power and the measured value of reflected power, and comparing the measured voltage standing wave ratio with a predetermined voltage standing wave ratio to generate a test result alternatively indicative of proper or faulty operation of the receiving antenna; and transmitting the test result to the base station.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the steps performed by the testing apparatus are in response to a command received from the base station.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of transmitting the command from the base station to the testing apparatus via the receiving feeder cable.
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