초록 ▼

A system and method of aligning an antenna with a predetermined azimuth direction. The method includes determining an antenna azimuth direction and moving the antenna from the antenna azimuth direction towards a predetermined azimuth direction so as to align said antenna. This is accomplished in res

A system and method of aligning an antenna with a predetermined azimuth direction. The method includes determining an antenna azimuth direction and moving the antenna from the antenna azimuth direction towards a predetermined azimuth direction so as to align said antenna. This is accomplished in response to processed positioning data received by a global positioning system (GPS) receiver from a GPS system where the receiver is locatable at predetermined first and second positions away from the antenna. The system includes at least two reference targets affixed to the antenna, a reference tool operatively coupled to the targets, and a GPS receiver connected to the reference tool. The receiver is in communication with a GPS system for processing positioning data received therefrom to determine an antenna azimuth direction of the antenna and thereby enable alignment of said antenna by moving the antenna with a predetermined azimuth direction.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of aligning an antenna with a predetermined azimuth direction, said method comprising: in response to processed positioning data received by a first global positioning system receiver from a global positioning satellite system where said first receiver is locatable a

What is claimed is: 1. A method of aligning an antenna with a predetermined azimuth direction, said method comprising: in response to processed positioning data received by a first global positioning system receiver from a global positioning satellite system where said first receiver is locatable at predetermined first and second positions away from said antenna, (a) determining an antenna azimuth direction of said antenna; and (b) moving said antenna from said antenna azimuth direction towards said predetermined azimuth direction so as to align said antenna. 2. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of processing said positioning data received at said first receiver from said global positioning satellite system, said positioning data including a reference azimuth direction. 3. The method according to claim 2, further including the step of receiving said positioning data at said first receiver from said global positioning satellite system. 4. The method according to claim 3, further including a second global positioning receiver located at said predetermined second position, wherein said first receiver is located at said predetermined first position and said second receiver being in communication with said first receiver. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said first receiver is mounted on a reference tool and said second receiver is separate from, and in communication with, said first receiver at a predetermined distance away from said first receiver. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein at least one reference target is affixed to said antenna for operational coupling with said reference tool. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein at least two reference targets are affixed to said antenna for operational coupling with said reference tool. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein a third reference target is located at said predetermined second position for operational coupling with said reference tool. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said targets are collectively of a single type and selected from a group consisting of prism targets, mirror targets, and radio frequency emitters. 10. A system for alignment of an antenna capable of alignment with a predetermined azimuth direction, said system comprising: a reference target affixed to said antenna; a reference tool operatively coupled to said reference target; and a first global positioning system receiver connected to said reference tool, said first receiver being locatable at predetermined first and second positions away from said antenna; wherein said first receiver is in communication with a global positioning satellite system for processing positioning data received therefrom when in said predetermined first and second positions to determine an antenna azimuth direction of said antenna and thereby enable alignment of said antenna by moving said antenna with said predetermined azimuth direction. 11. The system according to claim 10, comprising at least two reference targets affixed to said antenna. 12. The system according to claim 11, further including a second global positioning receiver located at said predetermined second position, wherein said first receiver is mounted on said reference tool and said second receiver is separate from, and in communication, with said first receiver at a predetermined distance away from said first receiver. 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said targets are collectively of a single type and selected from a group consisting of prism targets, mirror targets, and radio frequency emitters. 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said first and second receivers are remotely located a predetermined distance away from said targets. 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein a data processor is in communication with said first receiver. 16. A method of aligning an antenna with a predetermined azimuth direction, said method comprising: in response to processed positioning data received by a first global positioning system receiver from a global positioning satellite system, said first receiver being connectable to a reference tool alignably connected to said antenna via reference targets, said first receiver being locatable at predetermined first and second reference positions away from said antenna, (a) determining a reference azimuth direction of said reference tool and an antenna azimuth direction and (b) moving said antenna from said antenna azimuth direction towards said predetermined azimuth direction so as to align said antenna. 17. An antenna alignment system for aligning an antenna with a predetermined azimuth direction, said system comprising: a target means connected to said antenna; a reference tool alignably connected to said target means; and a first global positioning system receiver connectable to said reference tool, said first receiver being locatable at predetermined first and second reference positions away from said antenna, said first receiver being in communication with a global positioning satellite system for processing positioning data received therefrom when in said predetermined first and second positions to determine a reference azimuth direction of said reference tool and an antenna azimuth direction from alignment of said target means enable alignment of said antenna by moving said antenna from said antenna azimuth direction to said predetermined azimuth direction. 18. A method of aligning an antenna with a predetermined azimuth direction, said method comprising: (a) providing a first target and a second target, each affixed together upon an antenna; (b) providing a first global positioning (GPS) receiver and a second GPS receiver, each located remote from said antenna; (c) providing a reference tool connected to said first GPS receiver and operably coupled to said first and second reference targets; (d) measuring first and second reference positions via said first and second GPS receivers; (e) determining an azimuth reference angle between said first and second reference positions; (f) calibrating said reference tool with said azimuth reference angle relative to said second GPS receiver; (g) measuring positions of said first and second targets relative to said reference tool; (h) determining an azimuth direction of said antenna; (i) comparing said azimuth direction of said antenna with said predetermined azimuth direction; (j) upon said azimuth direction of said antenna being identical to said predetermined azimuth direction, fixing said antenna in position; (k) upon said azimuth direction of said antenna not being identical to said predetermined azimuth direction, rotating said antenna and repeating said steps (i) through (k).