Method and apparatus for determining and storing the position and orientation of antenna structures

description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING AND STORING THE POSITION AND ALIGNMENT OF ANTENNA STRUCTURES

The present invention relates to a method and a device for determining the position and alignment of antenna structures.

A cellular radio system typically includes one or more base stations that may be interconnected via other network elements such as exchanges or gateways. Each of these base stations covers a certain area in terms of radio technology - a so-called radio cell. Terminals within a cell establish a connection with the mobile radio system via one or more antennas of one or more base stations. The antennas are usually mounted on structures that are as tall as possible, for example on the roofs of houses and buildings, towers or their own masts.

The alignment of antennas and antenna structures can have a significant impact on the coverage, quality, capacity and maximum data rates of a mobile radio system. The influence of antenna alignment on radio coverage is for example in Esmael Dinan et al, UMTS Radio Interface System Planning and Optimization, Bechtel Telecommunications Technical Journal, December 2002, Vol 1, No 1, PP 1-10 or in Jaana Laiho, 'Radio Network Planning and Optimization for UMTS, Second Edition, John Wiley and Sons 2006, Chapter 9 (Advanced Analysis Methods and Radio Access Network Autotuning), PP 505-569.

By optimizing the antenna alignment in radio systems there are a number of advantages, such as an improvement in the supply, a reduction in the emission of interference (interference), an increase in the range and / or an increase in the capacity of a mobile radio system.

In order to be able to optimize these antenna alignments, both when transmitting and when receiving, it is necessary to determine the corresponding parameters (eg received signal power, interference, data rate, bit error rate) at the receiver. In general, there are various options for measuring, such as test drives, reference receiver measurements, measurements of the end devices during each event, such as call setup, handover, changing the strongest supply cell, etc. The measurements can be performed during an active or passive connection according to the respective standardized procedure. Today, mostly standardized systems such as Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) or Long Term Evolution (LTE) are used for mobile radio transmission. Optimizing antenna alignment, however, is a problem that can occur with all radio systems, regardless of whether they are standardized or proprietary.

The radio link direction in which the antenna structure sends to the receiving device, the user, is called the downlink. The reverse direction in which the antenna structure is on the receiver side and the user sends himself is called the uplink.

In the downlink, based on the measurements, the recorded position of the respective measurement points (eg using GPS localization during measurement drives), as well as the position, alignment and transmission power on the transmitting antenna, conclusions can be drawn about the path attenuation of the mobile radio channel.

The received power results due to the transmitted power in the direction of the

Measuring point. It is therefore very much dependent on the orientation of the antenna. The path attenuation (propagation properties of the mobile radio channel) is independent of the transmission power and can therefore - with knowledge of the transmission power, antenna alignment and structure 1/18

AT511 191 B1 2012-10-15 Austrian patent office (antenna gain), as well as the measured reception power.

Based on the path attenuation determined in this way, the alignment of the antenna structure can be improved, with the aim of improving the supply, reducing interference, increasing the range, capacity or data rate, etc.

The transmission power is known in the system and can be called up relatively easily. The type of antenna is typically known, as all antenna manufacturers provide corresponding antenna diagrams. The received values ​​are also known based on the measurements. It is therefore of the utmost importance for the optimization of antenna parameters that the original data on position and orientation in the database on which the optimization is based correspond to the values ​​actually implemented in the system.

External influences, in particular wind and weather, improper assembly, or the like, for example, can repeatedly lead to unwanted displacements of the antenna alignment.

The optimization of antenna parameters takes place both when building a cellular network, when expanding, so adding new transmission systems - both the new antenna alignments, as well as the alignments of the surrounding transmission systems can be optimized, and continuously during operation to maximize the supply and to minimize the disturbances and interference due to the ever-increasing data traffic.

According to the prior art, different options are available for detecting the position and alignment of antenna structures and for storage in databases.

A common method for detecting the position and alignment of antenna structures is the on-site measurement of the position using a GPS system (x, y, z), the determination of azimuth orientation using a compass, and the determination of the antenna inclination using inclination angle measuring devices.

However, these methods have a number of practical disadvantages, such as:

- Access restrictions for transmission systems in operation: Without switching off, measurements may not be carried out in the immediate vicinity of the antennas. Furthermore, access to these objects is sometimes not possible or only possible to a very limited extent, e.g. power poles, private houses, transmission systems that are shared with other operators - which would mean switching off all networks, etc. Subsequent measurement is therefore costly and takes a long time.

- High costs: Even if access is permitted, the exact measurement usually requires qualified and therefore expensive personnel, e.g. safety precautions for climbing a mast, etc.

- Errors in manual reading: Errors are possible due to the manual reading of measurement data

- Disturbances of the magnetic field in the immediate vicinity of the metal transmission masts: A compass therefore does not always indicate north in the near-electron magnetic field of a transmission system. This results in both systematic and random measurement errors.

Incorrect entry of the data into the database: the data are almost exclusively entered manually into a database. Even if the data can be read correctly, manual entry is another source of error.

The invention is based on the object of providing a method and a device with which the position and alignment of an antenna structure can be determined in an efficient manner.

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According to the invention, this is achieved by calculating the antenna alignment based on features of the recorded digital image of the antenna and further data that can be measured from a measurement location remote from the antenna.

This enables an alignment measurement without direct access to the antenna.

According to the invention a method for determining the alignment of an antenna is provided which comprises the following steps: taking a digital image of an antenna with a camera at a measurement location, determining the relative position of the measurement location with respect to the antenna, determining the size of the antenna and calculating the Orientation of the antenna based on features of the recorded digital image, the determined relative position and the size of the antenna.

According to the invention, a device for determining the alignment of an antenna is also provided with an alignment computing unit for determining the alignment of an antenna based on features of a digital image of the antenna recorded in a measurement location and with a camera, the relative position of the measurement location with respect to the Antenna and the size of the antenna.

The determination of the relative position preferably comprises a measurement of the position of the measurement location and a measurement of the distance between the measurement location and / or a measurement of the direction in which the distance was measured. The measuring location is the location (measuring point, measuring position) at which the relative position is measured and the antenna image is recorded.

The determination of the relative position can, for example, further comprise the alignment of a device for distance measurement with a display for displaying the target object so that the antenna is displayed on the display, the alignment being carried out by a user in the measurement location. The determining may further comprise measuring the orientation of the device and the distance between the device and the antenna. The device can be, for example, a laser-based distance measuring device.

A part of the method and / or a function of the device according to one of the exemplary embodiments can include the marking of predefined locations of the antenna by the user on the display or in the recorded digital image, with the calculation of the orientation of the antenna based on the marked Places and the measured distance and alignment of the facility takes place. The predefined locations can be, for example, the corners of a rectangle-shaped antenna and / or a plurality of points on the edges of the antenna outline. The user can mark these with a cursor. Alternatively, a frame whose size is adjustable can be shown to the user on the display of the device. The user can then adjust the shape and size of the frame and frame the antenna with the frame.

The features of the digital image can be predetermined locations (and / or their relative position to one another) of the antenna recorded in the image, and the alignment of the antenna can be calculated by means of a coordinate transformation.

Determining the size of the antenna expediently includes extracting the technical data of the antenna from a database based on the image of the antenna and / or on the position of the antenna and / or on a user input.

The calculated alignment of the antenna and / or the recorded image can be stored in a database. This can be part of the device according to the invention, or can be connected to the device (via a cable or a radio link).

The position of the measurement location can be determined by a GPS receiver or other methods. For example, the position can also be marked manually on a map and reference points and position can be entered, or a measuring location can be entered with be3 / 18

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Patent Office knew coordinates can be chosen. The GPS receiver can be part of the device according to the invention, or the device can be a connector for connecting the GPS

Recipient included.

The present invention can be implemented by means of a program that can be heard on a computer. The program calculates the direction of the antenna. The recording of the image, the position measurement and / or the distance measurement can be carried out by external devices and the data determined in this way can be provided to the program. The size (dimensions) of the antenna can also be made available to the program from an external database.

However, in accordance with the invention, the above-mentioned measuring devices can also be connected to the computer and thus form a measuring system.

The device according to the invention can, however, also comprise some of the above-mentioned components and can be connected to others.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, a computer program is provided which implements the features of the method according to the invention. The program can be saved on a storage medium, for example on an optical disc (CD, DVD, BD, etc.), on a hard drive, on a USB stick, or similar.

Further details, advantages and features of the invention emerge from the following description and the drawings, to which express reference is made with regard to the disclosure of all details not described in the text.

It show:

FIG. 1 shows a coordinate transformation

Figure 2 schematically shows a downlink of a radio transmission with a transmitter mast, a 3-sector configuration with an antenna alignment, associated antenna alignment diagram, and a receiver,

FIG. 3 shows an example of a device according to the invention for determining the alignment of antennas,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of an antenna structure mounted on a mast, where the alignment can be determined based on the distortion of the image points from the reference point (corner points of the antenna structure) and

FIG. 5 shows an example of the logical function blocks in accordance with the present invention.

The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the alignment of antenna structures, so that an optimization and thus an improvement in coverage, an increase in the number of users that can be served, an increase in data rates and an increase in capacity can be achieved. The position of the antenna can also be determined.

In particular, a method and a device for determining and automatically storing the position and alignment of antenna structures are provided so that an optimization and thus an improvement in coverage, an increase in the number of users that can be served and an increase in capacity can be achieved. The initial position and orientation of the antenna structures can be determined automatically from street level without the need for costly searching for and measurement of the antenna position and orientation directly at the installation site, and the data is automatically saved.

The absolute position of the reference point (measuring point), the orientation of the measuring device with a view to the antenna structure, the spatial distance between

Measurement point and antenna, the actual dimensions of the antenna, and image measurement points

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The patent office of the antenna itself is used as a basis for determining the position and alignment of the antenna structure.

Based on the image measurement points of the antenna structure, the known dimensions of the antenna, and the distortion of the antenna structure from the viewing point (reference point), the orientation of the antenna structure is determined according to the invention.

Both position (x, y, z) and orientation (azimuth, inclination and rotation) of the antenna can be calculated using the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention and stored in a database by means of automatic electronic data acquisition and transmission, from where they are available for other uses, for example for the verification of the measurement result on a digital map, e.g. Google Earth, etc.

The technique of the invention has several advantages over the conventional techniques. It is unrestricted by the propagation conditions of electromagnetic waves and can therefore be used equally for urban to rural environments. There are no assumptions about the directional pattern of the antenna array, so there are no restrictions. There are no assumptions whatsoever about the frequency range in which the invention is used. There are no assumptions about the access technology on the radio interface, so there are no restrictions on a frequency, time or code duplex method.

No assumptions are made about the resolution or the accuracy of the position and orientation, so that there are no restrictions whatsoever. There are no restrictions whatsoever regarding the determination of the reference point for the measurements, i.e. whether this is determined using GPS or similar methods. No assumptions are made for calibrating the alignment of the reference point both in the horizontal (azimuth) and vertical (inclination angle) plane, so that there are no restrictions whatsoever. No assumptions are made about the way the distance is measured, so there are no restrictions whatsoever. For example, different methods can be used, such as optical interferometry, time of flight measurements, etc. There are no restrictions whatsoever as to which method is used to create an image of the antenna structure. For example, an integrated photo sensor can be used, but also a commercially available digital single-lens reflex camera or an inexpensive compact camera. There are no restrictions as to which methods of digital image processing, photogrammetry, coordinate transformations, pattern recognition or the like are used to determine the alignment of the antenna structure on the basis of an image.

No assumptions are made about the number of measurement points for determining the alignment of the antenna structure. No assumptions are made about the selection of the measurement points for determining the alignment of the antenna structure. No assumptions are made about the type of database structure for the position and alignment data to be saved. No assumptions are made as to which data will be recorded and stored, so there are no restrictions. No assumptions are made about the type of interfaces for transferring the data to the database, so there are no restrictions whatsoever. No assumptions are made about the type of geo-referencing of the position data of the antenna structure.

In Fig. 2, the essential components for determining the path loss (pathloss) are shown, which is calculated as follows:

Pathloss_sec, or = PtX ^_ PrX + θΑπ1 “Gmask f {antenna alignment}

It is the power P_TX from antenna 211 with antenna gain G_Ont is sent in the direction 240 of the receiver 230. Due to the position and orientation of the antenna

211 relative to the position of receiver 230, in combination with the antenna directional diagram

220 the result is a direction-dependent radiation characteristic and a gain G_{mask f {An}tennen

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Alignment} · The power at the receiver 230 is measured and, like the position of the receiver (eg GPS, various other methods according to the state of the art) is available (eg measurement drives, geo-localized mobile measurements, etc.). In this way, the antennas and power-independent path attenuation can be calculated, which are used for a subsequent optimization of the alignment of the transmitting antenna.

The position and orientation of the transmitting antenna 211 are essential for the correct determination of the path attenuation. If this is incorrect, the results of the optimization can be inferior or simply incorrect, so that no or only a slight improvement can be achieved. If the initial values ​​are incorrect, the quality and capacity of the cellular network can deteriorate.

3 shows the measurement setup schematically. The measuring apparatus 310 is located at the reference position. This reference position is automatically calibrated for the position (x_1; y_1; ζ_ή) as well as the automatic determination of the alignment (azimuth, inclination and rotation, i.e. ω_χ1, ω_γ1, ω_ζ1) is determined during the measurement at the target object 330.

The measuring apparatus 310 contains technical devices for determining the position (x_1; y-, ζ_ή), the distance measurement 320, to determine the orientation (azimuth, inclination, rotation) to the target object (ω_χ1, ω_γ1, ω_ζ1), as well as for capturing images of the target object 330.

Starting from the reference point, the target object, the antenna structure 330, which may be located on a building 340, or a mast or the like, is measured. The distance to the target object is determined by means of distance measurement 320. Through the position and orientation or orientation of the reference point in the direction of the target object (ω_χΊ, ω_γι, ω_ζι), as well as the precise distance measurement 320 between the reference point and the target object, the position of the antenna structure 330 can be clearly and precisely determined (x₂, y₂, e.g.₂).

Furthermore, the camera integrated or connected to the measuring apparatus creates an image of the target object and the antenna structures contained therein. The camera does not have to be connected directly to the measuring apparatus 310, but can also transmit the images that are recorded from the position of the measuring apparatus to the computing unit by means of a data card or radio link. The arithmetic unit in turn can be integrated directly into the measuring apparatus 310, or connected to it, or can receive the required information by means of other data transmission methods, for example radio link, data card, manual input of the similar.

The alignment of the antenna structure is then determined by means of digital image processing, pattern recognition, image measurement or similar technologies, the image captured by the measuring apparatus 310 serving as the basis. This calculation is carried out, for example, using methods of three-dimensional conformal coordinate transformations, whereby the rotation parameters (ω_χ2, ω ^, ω_ζ2) the antenna structure can be determined. From this, the absolute position and orientation of the antenna structure can be calculated.

The programs necessary for the calculation are executed either directly in the measuring apparatus 310 or on a computer 380 connected to the measuring apparatus. In this case, the data transmission 362 to the computer 380 can either be permanently connected or also take place via radio interfaces, data cards or the like.

The orientation and alignment determined in this way, together with the position of the antenna structure, are automatically stored on a data carrier 360 via electronic data processing methods 361, 363. These can be data memories integrated in the measuring apparatus as well as online databases, web servers, etc. The data transmission 363 can thus be integrated in the measuring apparatus 310, wired or implemented via radio technologies.

The data recorded, determined and stored in this way can subsequently be used in a further software application and / or via electronic data transmission methods 371, which can be permanently connected, but also via radio interfaces

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Hardware device 370 can be stored, managed and displayed. For example, the data determined can be displayed on current map material in the Google Earth application and checked for plausibility. Another example would be the direct integration into software applications for infrastructure inventory, databases of planning software applications, etc.

According to one of the exemplary embodiments, the position and alignment are determined on the basis of measurements that are carried out from a reference point (measuring point), the position of which can be determined automatically, with the absolute position using distance measurements from the reference point to the respective antenna structure and electronic image processing and alignment of the antenna structure can be determined.

Furthermore, the data determined in this way on the position and alignment of the antenna structure, via an interface, can be transferred directly to a database (eg online database, web server, or in the databases of commercially available software programs for planning and optimizing cellular networks) absolute geo-referencing (e.g. GPS data, WGS 84, etc.) of the locations is the basis.

It is known in the prior art that position data can be measured using GPS. Furthermore, methods are known which enable an automatic spatial orientation of a plane or the definition of a corresponding coordinate system in space by means of rotation and elevation and twisting (eg gyro sensors in mobile phones). Furthermore, methods are known which allow an automatic calibration of the position and alignment of a measuring device at a measuring point.

According to the prior art, it is known that distance measurements can be carried out with high precision by means of laser technology. An example of a method and device known according to the prior art for measuring the distance and the angle of inclination to a target object is the "Laser type FG 21-LR from Riegl Laser Measurement Systems GmbH (cf. data sheet for laser type FG 21, freely available at www.riegl.com). Pulsed laser signals are emitted by the device. The distance is determined based on the transit time of the signal reflected on the target object, which is received by the device. The inclination relative to the horizontal plane is automatically determined by means of the built-in inclination angle measuring device. This can be used to determine the distance and height of a target object. Such a device can also be used to determine the distance and height of an antenna in accordance with the present invention. A number of measurement methods are known which are based on distance measurement and which can also be used for the present invention. For example, the following methods are suitable for determining distance data:

- Fujima, S. Iwasaki and K.Seta, 'High-Resolution Distance Meter using Optical Intensity Modulation at 28 GHz', Meas.Sci.Tech., PP. 1049-1052 (1998).

- G.Bazin and B.Journet, "New Laser Range Finder Based on FMCW-Like Method", IEEE. Into the. Measu. Tech. Conference, Belgium, June 4-6, PP 90-93 (1996).

- Amann et al, 'Laser ranging: a critical review of usual techniques for distance measurement', Optical Engineering, Vol. 40 no. 1, January 2001, pp. 10-19 (2001); Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

- K. Maatta, 'Profiling of hot surfaces by pulsed time of flight laser rank finder techniques', Applied Optics, Vol. 32, No. 27, 1993, PP. 5334-5342.

- Ari. Kilpela, 'Pulsed Time-of-Flight Laser Range Finder Techniques for Fast, High Precision Measurement Applications', OULU, Section 2.2.2, "TOF method, 2004. http://herkules.oulu.fi/isbn9514272625/isbn9514272625.pdf .

- Ki-Nam Joo, Yunseok Kim, and Seung-Woo Kim, Distance measurements by combined method based on a femtosecond pulse laser, Opt. Express 16, 19799-19806 (2008), http: //www.opticsinfobase. org / abstract.cfm? URI = oe-16-24-19799.

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For distance measurement, for example, lasers are used which are based on the time-to-light method. A short optical impulse is emitted by an apparatus. This is reflected on the target object and the time it takes to receive the reflected signal is measured. The distance is determined from this.

Another method for determining the distance is the phase shift method. The transmitter sends a laser signal modulated with a sinusoidal signal. The reflected light is compared with the transmitted signal at the receiver, the phase offset being directly proportional to the time offset and thus the distance.

In addition, there are a number of other methods where, for example, frequency-modulated laser signals and improved combined technologies are used.

According to the invention, the recorded image of the antenna is analyzed in order to determine its alignment. For this purpose, known methods from photogrammetry, pattern recognition and image measurement, calculation methods can be used, which can determine the rotation, displacement and scaling of image coordinates of the image of an object point in an image.

An example of this is the determination of the transformation of a coordinate system (x, y, z) into another coordinate system (Χ, Υ, Ζ), the coordinate systems being rotated with respect to one another. These generally applicable methods for three-dimensional conformal transformations are described in detail in the following references, among others:

- W. Niemeier, "Equalization Calculation - Statistical Evaluation Methods, 2nd Edition, Section 10.2," Models for Coordinate Transformations ", page 343 ff, De Gruyten Textbook, Berlin / New York 2008, ISBN: 978-3-11-019055- 7,

- Ghilani, CD and Wolf, PR (2007) Coordinate Transformations, in Adjustment Computations: Spatial Data Analysis, Section 18.7 (Three Dimensional Conformal Coordinate Transformation), page 380ff, Fourth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken , NJ, USA. doi: 10.1002 / 9780470121498.ch18.

1 shows the basic approach of how such a method can be used according to the invention. In the specific example, the antenna is located in a three-dimensional, right-angled coordinate system (x, y, z). The measuring point, and thus the reference point in the coordinate origin of the measurement, is located in the coordinate system (Χ, Υ, Ζ). The reference point in the coordinate system (x, y, z), which is defined by X_O can be, for example, a corner point of the antenna to which the distance from the measuring point and reference point of the measuring apparatus is determined.

Both coordinate systems are shifted to one another (X_O, Y_O, Z_O), twisted (ω1, ω2, ω3) and are related to each other via a scale factor m. The angles ω1, ω2, ω3 thus indicate the rotation of the antenna in relation to the measuring point. The following applies:

<td>I.</td><td></td><td> 1____.</td><td></td><td> * 1</td>

<td>z</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>z - -</td>

where the rotation matrix can be broken down into:

! &lt;(&amp;&gt; !, &lt;y₂, &lt;w₃) = R with

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<td></td><td> '1 0</td><td></td><td> 0</td>

<td>R, (ö /,) =</td><td colspan="2">0 cos / y,</td><td>sin a&gt;_}</td>

<td></td><td colspan="2">0 - sin co</td><td>, COS ß ?,</td>

<td></td><td>cosö&gt;₂</td><td> 0</td><td>- sin ö?₂</td>

<td>R.₂(ry₂) =</td><td></td><td> 1</td><td> 0</td>

<td></td><td>| _sin &lt;y₂</td><td> 0</td><td>cos &lt;y₂</td>

<td></td><td>COS 69,</td><td></td><td>sin a&gt;₃ 0</td>

<td>R.₃(ry₃) =</td><td>- sin «₃</td><td></td><td>cosö&gt;₃ 0</td>

<td></td><td> 0</td><td></td><td>⁰ L.</td>

The rotation matrix can be determined from these relationships, the determination of the dimensions in the image, the knowledge of the actual dimensions of the antenna, and a minimum number of measurement points for solving the system of equations (cf. the references mentioned above). This can be used to calculate the angle of rotation of the antenna in relation to the reference system of the measuring point. The position X_O, Y_O, Z_O corresponds to the measured absolute position of the antenna, which can be defined, for example, as the corner point of the antenna structure.

The above methods are only one example for determining the twist angles of the antenna. Other methods are possible.

The dimensions of the antennas are typically known. These data are listed and published by the manufacturer of the antennas in the data sheets, for example in the case of antennas made by Kathrein "Kathrein-Scala, 742215 - 65 ° Panel Antenna", Datasheet, freely available at www.kathrein-scala.com.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF AN INTEGRATED MEASURING DEVICE

In the following exemplary embodiment, the case is described in which the calculation of the data takes place directly in the measuring apparatus:

The user mounts the measuring device according to the invention on a holder (eg tripod) and switches it on. The position of the measuring device is determined automatically using an integrated GPS receiver or other methods. For example, the measuring point can be entered on a geo-referenced map and thus the coordinates can be determined. The determined position can be displayed on a graphical user interface. A software application guides the user step by step through the measurement process.

First, the measuring apparatus must be aligned in the direction of the object to be measured. This is done manually by the user by either aiming at the targeted measurement object through a designated viewfinder and corresponding target optics, similar to binoculars or a digital reflex camera, and identifying it, for example, by a marker or a crosshair, or the representation is not made by a viewfinder or . search optics, but directly on a screen, similar to the image display of a compact digital camera that does not have its own viewfinder.

The user can aim at one or more corner points of the antenna as reference measurement points. These reference measuring points determine the absolute position of the antenna. Several points can also be defined and a center point can be determined from them. If necessary, the points can be marked directly in order to be automatically recorded on the image for the measurement evaluation. Furthermore, a window of adjustable size can be used

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Patent office, which frames the antenna. With this, the frame structure of the antenna and the associated corner points can be automatically recognized with appropriate image processing.

Another possibility is that the frame detection is based on color gradient patterns, so that this can be determined automatically due to an inhomogeneous transition from the antenna to the environment, for example "gray of the antenna to" blue of the sky in the background. By marking a reference point within the antenna structure, which is also marked in the subsequent image acquisition, the reference color and thus the frame recognition, including recognition of the corner points, can be done automatically. Other image processing techniques can be used additionally or independently, such as edge detection, or object recognition methods that make use of characteristic points (predefined features). Examples of such techniques are known from the prior art, for example from R. Jain et al., “Machine Vision, MCGraw-Hill, Inc., ISBN 0-07-032018-7, 1995 (cf. in particular chapter 15 for Object recognition, Chapter 5 for edge detection and Chapter 3 for image segmentation).

In summary, the present invention detects the spatial structure (for example geometric shape, color, etc.) of the antenna from the recorded digital image by means of one of the known image processing methods and / or with the support of the user, the features of the antenna predetermined in the digital image can denote.

As soon as the target has been detected, the distance measurement is carried out. The alignment data are first recorded, ie alignment (azimuth), inclination and rotation of the measuring device in the direction of the measurement object. Then the distance to the reference point, e.g. a lower corner point on the measurement object, is measured by means of distance measurement (e.g. long distance rangemeter with a range of approx. 100m, 300m up to 1km - depending on the version).

The position of the measurement object is clearly determined from the reference values ​​of the position of the measuring device and the determined measured values.

By determining a reference point on the measurement object, for example by means of a crosshair in the target optics or on the display, a reference point for image acquisition results. An image of the measurement object is created and saved with the highest possible resolution.

The user has the option of using finger control on the touch-sensitive display to enlarge the image before it is saved. Contour recognition software calculates the contours of the antenna structure and defines measuring points on the structure, whereby the user can also define adjustment options (e.g. contrast setting, number and position of the measuring points) manually. Reference points such as corner points can thus be defined.

Antenna structures of the type described are precisely documented and published by the manufacturer of the antennas and are therefore known to the operator of the cellular network. Based on the structural knowledge of the antenna shape (right-angled systems and known edge lengths, etc.), the angle relationships on the image, the reference position, the alignment of the measuring device and the distance measurement, the alignment of the coordinate system in which the antenna is located, and thus the orientation of the antenna , can be calculated using methods of conformal coordinate transformation. The angle of inclination calculated in this way can be shown on the display.

The storage of the data obtained in this way is the next step. A designation, for example a name, must be assigned to the antenna. This can be done manually, or unique names can be assigned automatically. Ideally, existing reference data could be read in directly, for example from an inventory database, a planning tool or similar. The antenna name, its type, manufacturer data, etc. could be read in and known directly. The required dimensions of the antenna can then be determined on the basis of this data.

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In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the antenna models could also be recognized directly by means of image recognition and a database on antennas. For this purpose, the antenna is recognized in the image recorded by the antenna. The user can provide auxiliary data by manually identifying the outer contour of the antenna or the edges and corners of the antenna are automatically recognized. The recognized antenna and / or its proportions are then correlated with the antennas in the antenna database and the type of antenna can be determined.

Furthermore, the calculated values ​​can be taken over - by means of automatic user guidance in the display of the device - and transmitted and stored in a database (local, or web server, or another external storage device). The user can also save additional details and a picture of the antenna in the database.

For the rapid transmission of the data, the measuring apparatus can therefore, depending on the design, also include a wireless module, with which the data are transmitted directly online and stored in a registered web server.

In an advantageous embodiment, the measuring apparatus according to the above example has a graphic user interface which can be operated via a touch-sensitive screen. However, the invention can also be equipped with a simple display and the control can take place by means of keys and / or other operating elements designed for this purpose.

EXAMPLE OF A CALCULATION OUTSIDE THE MEASURING EQUIPMENT

In the following embodiment, the case is described in which the calculation of the alignment data takes place outside of the actual measuring devices:

The user uses the measuring device and switches it on. The measuring device has a handy shape and is freely manipulated by the user, such as binoculars. The user aligns the measuring device in the direction of the target object, this being done using appropriate target optics, a viewfinder with integrated crosshairs, or the like.

As soon as the user has aimed at the target object, the measurement is carried out by means of the trigger. The position of the user is determined by means of an integrated or connected position determination. Furthermore, the height difference between the user and the target object is determined by means of an integrated or connected inclination measurement, and the azimuth in the measuring direction is determined by means of an integrated or connected compass. In addition, the rotation with respect to the vertical axis is determined by level measurement. The distance between the user and the target object is also measured.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, all these measurements are carried out at the same time or imperceptibly offset in time by actuating the trigger.

In addition, an image of the target object, ie the antenna, is created, the user being able to adjust the magnification of the antenna shown in the image through the viewfinder. This can be done, for example, by an additional actuation mechanism that enables the image to be enlarged or reduced in comparison with a digital compact camera.

The data determined in this way are transmitted to a computer (laptop, tablet, other device) by means of electronic data transmission (wired, by data card, radio transmission or the like). Those software applications that are necessary for calculating the absolute position and alignment of the target antenna according to the invention run on the laptop (tablet, etc.).

The software applications now enable the user to enlarge the picture,

Run contour recognition software, define measuring points and properties of the / 18

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Manually influencing calculation.

The calculated positions and angles of inclination of the antennas can be displayed on the computer screen and processed further.

The storage and further processing of the data can take place as in the example given above.

EXAMPLE OF A CALCULATION ON THE COMPUTER WITH EXTERNAL MODULES

A further example of the implementation provides that the calculation of the alignment takes place on the computer 380, the position of the antenna 330 taking place by means of distance measurement and height measurement 320. The necessary data for alignment (azimuth and rotation with respect to the horizontal plane) can also be determined manually, for example read from compass and level measuring device 392. The necessary position measurement can also be carried out using an external position measuring device, e.g. GPS receiver 391. All of these measurements should be made at the position of the distance measurement 310.

The image acquisition can also take place manually via a commercially available camera 393, the position during the measurement being the same or at least very similar to that of the distance measuring device. The alignment data result automatically on the basis of the target object and are therefore the same as the data for the distance measurement. The image material stored in this way can therefore also be transmitted manually to the computer (eg memory card of a digital camera). The data (position, orientation to the antenna, distance, image) must then be combined manually, which can be done using appropriate instructions in a software application on the computer 380.

The further calculation, processing and storage of the data is carried out by software applications in accordance with the above embodiment.

In an advantageous embodiment, the measuring apparatus has a device for automatic position determination, for example a GPS receiver, which automatically determines the position.

In an advantageous embodiment, the measuring apparatus has a device for automatic detection of the alignment (azimuth, inclination, rotation) of the measuring apparatus based on an absolute reference coordinate system (horizontal plane, vertical plane normal to the horizontal plane, geographical north).

In a further advantageous embodiment, the calibration of the measuring apparatus 310 is carried out automatically by pressing a button (for example on a control button or a touch-sensitive display, etc.).

[00116] The measuring apparatus preferably has a device for distance measurement, which can be controlled via software, or wherein the data can be read out electronically.

The measuring apparatus can have a device for capturing a digital image of the target object (the antenna).

In an advantageous embodiment, the measuring apparatus has an integrated camera that can create high-resolution images of the target object and the user can influence the magnification.

The measuring apparatus preferably has options for electronic data processing for exchanging, processing and storing the measurement data.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the data can be transmitted from the measuring device to a computer via a radio interface in order to be stored there and / or processed further.

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Furthermore, the interface 371 can be an interface to existing ones available on the market

Represent radio network planning tools or optimization tools, which would then each run on a computer (370).

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the properties (size of the antennas, dimensions, etc.), designations and names of the sectors to be assigned to the antennas can be imported from a database, for example radio network planning tool, before the measurement, so that measurement data can be assigned to the existing data sets .

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the imported data from a database can be compared with the measurement data and compared, and reports on deviations can be created. For example, the user can check the quality of the data available in the database. The "target values" from the database are read and compared with the measured "actual values". The “target values” here can for example be values ​​that have been calculated by a network optimization process or specified by the network operator. The "actual values" can then be, for example, the measured values. Significant advantages are that no further manual input has to be made for the basic antenna data and transmitter designations, a quick and efficient method for checking the antenna data is created, and the data can be coordinated directly with the database.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the measurement results of the target object can be combined from several different measurement positions and reference points and thus evaluated together. Significant advantages consist in the improvement of the accuracy of the measurement, an improved precision or resolution, as well as the possibility of calculating three-dimensional properties. Due to several measuring points and digital images from different viewing angles, 3D projections of the antennas can also be created, for example. Calculation methods for the calculation methods of 3D projections from 2D images can be found, for example, in: I. Stamos and PK Allen. Automatic registration of 2-D with 3-D imagery in urban environments. In ICCV, pages 731-737, 2001.

These 3D models can be stored in a database so that the user can view the antenna alignment from different points of view at a later point in time. This is particularly of great advantage because an engineer can get the best possible impression of the overall situation.

FIG. 4 shows an example for determining the alignment of the antenna structure 412, which is mounted on the mast 410. It is known what the antenna structure looks like in the front view, which results in a rectangular structure 411. Furthermore, based on the information about the antenna model, the dimensions of the antenna are known. Due to the actual size, the alignment and the relative viewing angle from the measuring point to the antenna structure, a distortion of the contour results as shown in FIG. 413. From this distorted contour, a series of fixed measuring points, the position of the reference measuring point, the orientation of the measuring apparatus, and the distance to the target object, the alignment of the antenna or the rotation of the coordinate system in which the antenna is located relative to the viewer's coordinate system can be determined. This happens, for example, by means of conformal three-dimensional coordinate transformations. This in turn results in the angles for determining the orientation of the antenna.

5 shows an example of a sequence of the method according to the invention for calculating the alignment. The determination of the absolute position of the measuring point 510 is followed by the determination of the distance to the target object 520. The position of the measuring point 510 can be determined by means of GPS or other localization options. For example, the position can also be entered manually, or a measurement location with known coordinates can be selected. There are also a number of implementation options for distance measurement, for example optical (e.g. laser) and microwave-based methods. After determining the alignment 530 from the measuring point to the target object and the results of the distance measurement 520, as well as the absolute position of the measuring 13/18

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At point 510, the absolute position of the target object 540 or a reference point on the target object, for example a marked or automatically established corner point, can be determined. The processes 510 to 540 can be carried out manually one after the other, or they can also be carried out automatically by pressing a button on a device. The advantages of the common process are the ease of use and the compact design of the device that is necessary for this.

Furthermore, a digital image 550 of the target object is recorded and processed. The antenna size 560 can be determined from a database, entered manually by the user, or it can also be carried out automatically on the basis of pattern recognition and comparison database on the basis of optical criteria. It is essential that the actual size of the antenna structure is supplied as a result.

Using the information available, the image analysis and the associated coordinate transformation 570 can thus be started. Based on the combination of target position 540 and image analysis 570, the absolute position of the antenna and its three-dimensional alignment can thus be determined.

The data are then stored on a storage medium, which in the simplest case can be local data storage, up to synchronization with online databases on the Internet, as well as a special software application for comparing stored data and measured data. The latter also allows, for example, a statistical survey of the accuracy and quality of the data quality in the existing database.

The measurement is then ended 590. The method in FIG. 5 is only one possible embodiment of the invention. The order of the steps can also be different. For example, steps 510-560 in particular can be carried out in any order, because the measured values ​​are only required in step 570 for calculating the antenna alignment.

In summary, the determination of the position and orientation of base station antennas in mobile radio is of great importance for optimizing the transmission parameters. It requires time-consuming and costly effort, since measurements must be taken directly at the antenna. In addition, access to the antennas is often not possible. This has a very negative effect on the accuracy of the data, so that the optimization results, in which antenna parameters are changed, suffer greatly. With the new method and the device presented, it is possible to record the position and alignment of the transmitting antenna quickly, precisely and inexpensively without having to measure in the vicinity of the antenna. The new method allows the absolute position of the base station antenna and its alignment to be determined from a greater distance. The absolute position of the antenna is determined by automatically determining the coordinates of the reference point (measuring point), measuring the distance to the target antenna, measuring the angle of inclination and the alignment of the measuring apparatus. The alignment of the base station antenna to be measured is determined from an image recorded from the measurement point using photogrammetric measurement methods, knowledge of the absolute dimensions of the antenna and mathematical methods of conformal coordinate transformation. Applications are the quick, inexpensive and high-quality determination of the position and orientation of antenna structures.