1. An antenna orientation adjustment device comprising: a camera that is fixed relative to an antenna uni t; a motor-driven unit that can be mounted on an orientation adjustment par5 t and changes an orientation of the antenna unit by applying a force of motor power to the orientation adjustment part; and a motion controller that adjusts the orientation of the antenna unit by supplying a drive signal to the motor -driven unit , wherein 10 the motion controller obtains an angle position of the antenna unit based on an image taken by the camera and a reception strength of radio waves received by the antenna unit , and adjusts the angle position of the antenna unit by supplying a drive signal to the motor -driven unit. 15 2. The antenna orientation adjustment device according to Claim 1, wherein the motion controller acquires a relationship between the orientation of the antenna unit and the reception strength, changing the orientat ion of the antenna unit within a specified range by supplying a drive signal to the motor -driven unit. 20 3. The antenna orientation adjustment device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the motion controller obtains an angle position of the antenna unit where the reception strength is maximum based on an image taken by the camera and the reception strength of radio waves received by the antenna unit, and adjusts the antenna unit to the angle posi t ion where the reception strength is maximum by 25 supplying a drive signal to the motor -driven unit .

4. The antenna orientation adjustment device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the motion controller includes 30 a position calculation unit that calculates a relative angle posi tion of the antenna unit by using an image taken by a camera; a reception strength detection uni t that detects a reception strength of radio waves received by the antenna unit; a reception strength recording uni t that records the relat ive angle position 30 of the antenna unit and the reception strength at the relative angle position in association with each other; a peak search unit that searches for a maximum value of the reception strength from data recorded in the reception strength recording unit; a peak posit ion recording unit that records, as a peak position, an angl5 e position of the antenna unit corresponding to the maximum reception strength obtained by the peak search unit ; and a gap calculation unit that calculates a gap between the current angle position of the antenna unit and the peak position, and 10 the motion controller supplies a drive signal to the motor -driven unit so that the gap becomes closer to zero.

5. An antenna system comprising: an antenna device configured to be able to change an orientation of an 15 antenna unit by applying a force to an orientation adjustment part; and the antenna orientation adjustment device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. An antenna orientation adjustment method comprising: 20 a step of mounting a camera on an antenna device so that a posi tion and an orientation are not displaced relative to an antenna unit of the antenna device; a step of mounting a motor -driven unit on an orientation adjustment part; a step of calculat ing an angle position of the antenna unit based on an image taken by the camera and a reception strength of radio waves received by the 25 antenna unit; and a step of adjusting the angle posi tion of the antenna unit by s upplying a drive signal to the motor -driven uni t.

DESCRIPTION
ANTENNA ORIENTATION ADJUSTMENT DEVICE AND ANTENNA
ORIENTATION ADJUSTMENT METHOD
Technical Field
[00015 ]
The present invention relates to an antenna orientation adjustment device
and an antenna orientation adjustment method that adjust the orien tation of an
antenna.
10 Background Art
[0002]
When installing a directional antenna, it is important to place it so that it
is orientated toward an appropriate direction in order to maximize the recept ion
level. Currently, when adjust ing the antenna orien tation, a worker seeks to
15 determine the orientation with the maximum reception level by a process of trial
and error in which the antenna orientation is changed in a step-by-step manner and
installs the antenna at that orientation.
However, because two or ientations, the elevation and the azimuth, need to
be set to adjust the antenna orientation, it is extremely difficul t in practice to set
20 the antenna orientation (i.e., orientate the antenna) toward the direction in which
the maximum reception level can be achieved. It is time-consuming work to set
the antenna toward the direction with the maximum reception level in a
step-by-step manner by making a fine adjustment of the elevat ion and the azimuth
by checking the reception level each time.
25 [0003]
Since radio waves at millimeter -wave frequencies have been used recently,
it is required to set the antenna orientation with respect to the wave source antenna
with a level of accuracy equivalent to the accuracy needed to thread the eye of a
needle. For example, extremely fine angle adjustment of 1.0º or less, such as 0.4º
30 or 0.2º, is required today. Regarding the case of mounting the antenna on a mast
or the like using a mounting bracket, it should take less than one turn of a
mounting screw to mount the antenna. Considerable experience is needed to
accurately adjust the antenna orientation by trial and error without any criteria like
an index.
3
[0004]
Methods for assisting in setting the antenna orientation toward the wave
source direction have been proposed (for example, Patent Li teratures 1, 2 and 3).
For example, Patent Li terature 1 discloses a direction finder that searches for a
radio emit ting source. The direction finder includes a direction finding arra5 y
antenna and a camera mounted on the array antenna. A lens of the camera is
aligned so that i ts optical axis is substantially orthogonal to the vertical plane of
the array antenna. In this structure, an image of an object that is assumed to be a
radio emit ting source is taken by the camera. Further, a received signal that is
10 received by the array antenna is visualized by a technique such as radio holography
and output as a wave source image. Then, a screen, on which the camera image
and the wave source image are displayed and superimposed on one anot her, is
provided to a worker. By viewing the screen, the worker can specify the object as
the radio emitting source.
15 [0005]
In Patent Literature 2 and 3, a camera that is al igned with respect to an
antenna is mounted on the antenna, and the camera is used as a sighting device.
A radio emitting source is specified by the camera, and the orientation of the
antenna is adjusted so that the radio emitt ing source comes at the center of the
20 screen. In this manner, specifying the radio emitting source by the camera or
using the camera as the sight ing device is helpful in adjusting the antenna
orientation.
Citation List
25 Patent Literature
[0006]
PTL1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2007-33380
PTL2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
30 2007-88576
PTL3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2005-72780
Summary of Invention
4
Technical Problem
[0007]
However, it is considered that the techniques disclosed in Patent Literature
1, 2 and 3 have the following problems. First , it is not easy to al ign the optical
axis of the camera toward the antenna reception direction with high accuracy. A5 n
alignment error needs to be 1.0° or less, and it is impossible to manually align the
optical axis of the camera with the antenna reception direction at the antenna
installat ion site. Accordingly, an antenna manufacturer needs to manufacture and
sell an antenna device with an aligned camera attached; however, attaching the
10 camera to each antenna results in a considerable increase in costs.
[0008]
Second, such a camera needs to have a substant ial zooming feature. A
large optical device is required to take an image of the radio emitting source at a
distance of several hundred meters or several kilometers. This also causes a
15 considerable increase in costs.
Third, there is a problem that the radio emitting direction from the radio
emitting source is not always vertical to the antenna plane of the radio emitting
source. When the radio emitting direct ion is deviated even sligh tly from the
antenna plane, even if the antenna orientat ion is adjusted in the correct direction to
20 the antenna plane of the radio emitting source, it is not necessarily the orientation
where the maximum reception level is achieved.
[0009]
An exemplary object of the present invention is to provide an antenna
orientation adjustment device and an antenna orientation adjustment method that
25 can adjust the orientation of an antenna wi th high accuracy in a simple and
inexpensive structure.
Solution to Problem
[0010]
30 An antenna orientation adjustment device according to an exemplary
aspect of the present invention is an antenna orientation adjustment device that
adjusts an orientation of an antenna unit in an antenna device including the antenna
unit and an orientation adjustment part that changes the orientat ion of the antenna
unit, the device including a camera that is fixed relative to an antenna unit , a
5
motor-driven unit that can be mounted on an orientation adjustment part and
changes an orientation of the antenna unit by applying a force of motor power to
the orientation adjustment part , and a motion controller that adjusts the orientation
of the antenna unit by supplying a drive signal to the motor -driven uni t, and the
motion controller obtains an angle posi tion of the antenna unit based on an imag5 e
taken by the camera and a reception strength of radio waves received by the
antenna unit , and adjusts the angle position of the antenna unit by supplying a
drive signal to the motor -driven uni t.
[0011]
10 An antenna orientation adjustment method according to an exemplary
aspect of the present invention is an antenna orientation adjustment method that
adjusts an orientation of an antenna unit in an antenna device including the antenna
unit and an orientation adjustment part that changes the orientat ion of the antenna
unit, the method including a step of mounting a camera on an antenna device so
15 that a position and an orientation are not displaced relative to an antenna unit of
the antenna device, a step of mount ing a motor-driven unit on an orientation
adjustment part , a step of calculating an angle posi tion of the antenna unit based
on an image taken by the camera and a reception strength of radio waves received
by the antenna unit , and a step of adjusting the angle position of the antenna unit
20 by supplying a drive signal to the motor -driven unit .
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0012]
According to the exemplary aspects of the present invention, it is possible
25 to quickly and accurately install an antenna device.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0013]
Fig. 1 is an external view of an antenna device.
30 Fig. 2 is a top view of the antenna device.
Fig. 3 is a side view of the antenna device.
Fig. 4 is a view showing the state where an antenna orientation adjustment
device is attached to the antenna device.
Fig. 5 is a view showing the state where the antenna orientation adjustment
6
device is attached to the antenna device.
Fig. 6 is a view showing the structure of a nut runner.
Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram of a motion controller.
Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of adjusting the orientation of
the antenna orientation adjustment device to the most appropriate direction5 .
Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a detai led procedure of a step of searching
for the best reception direction.
Fig. 10 is a view showing the antenna device viewed from above.
Fig. 11 is a view showing an example of a captured image.
10 Fig. 12 is a view showing an example of a display screen.
Fig. 13 is a view showing the state where the azimuth of the antenna unit is
slightly shifted.
Fig. 14 is a view showing an example of a captured image.
Fig. 15 is a view showing the state where a current image is superimposed
15 on an initial image.
Fig. 16 is a view showing a gap between a current image and an initial
image.
Fig. 17 is a view showing an example of radio emission patterns from an
opposite antenna and a step-by-step change of the antenna orientation in
20 accordance with those patterns.
Fig. 18 is a graph showing a change in reception strength with a change in
the orientat ion of the antenna unit.
Fig. 19 is a graph showing a change in reception strength with a change in
the orientat ion of the antenna unit.
25 Fig. 20 is a graph showing a change in reception strength with a change in
the orientat ion of the antenna unit.
Fig. 21 is a detailed flowchart of steps of adjusting the orientation of the
antenna unit .
Fig. 22 is a view showing a gap between a current position and a peak
30 position.
Fig. 23 is a view illustrating another method of searching for a peak
position.
Fig. 24 is a view showing an example in which the antenna device and an
orientation adjustment device are combined together.
7
Description of Embodiments
[0014]
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the
drawings and described hereinafter by referring to the reference symbols o5 f
elements in the drawings.
(First exemplary embodiment)
A first exemplary embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter.
A principal point of this exemplary embodiment is the structure and the
10 operation of an antenna orientation adjustment device that adjusts the orientation
of an antenna. However, prior to describing the adjustment of the antenna
orientation, the structure of an antenna device 100 is schematically described
hereinafter.
Fig. 1 is a view showing the antenna device 100. The antenna device 100
15 may be a known one. Although a so-called parabol ic antenna is shown as an
example, the type of the antenna is not particularly l imited in the appl ication of
this exemplary embodiment. A directional antenna may be a planar antenna, for
example.
[0015]
20 Fig. 1 shows the antenna device 100 mounted on a mast 10 viewed from
the back. The antenna device 100 includes an antenna unit 110, a transmitting
and receiving unit 120, and a mounting means 130.
[0016]
The antenna unit 110 is a parabolic antenna in this example. The
25 transmitting and receiving unit 120 is an electrical circuit unit that includes a
receiving circuit 121 and a transmitting circuit 122 (see Fig. 7) and performs
modulation and demodulation of signals according to the need. The transmitt ing
and receiving unit 120 includes a storage box 123 that serves as a housing and
electrical circuit units (121, 122) stored in the storage box 123, and it is coupled to
30 the backside of the antenna unit 110.
[0017]
The mounting means 130 installs and fixes the antenna unit 110 and the
transmitting and receiving unit 120. The case where the antenna unit 110 and the
transmitting and receiving unit 120 are fixed to the mast 10 is shown as an
8
example.
[0018]
The mounting means 130 includes a clamp unit 140, an azimuth direction
movable member 150, an azimuth adjustment bolt (orientation adjustment part)
160, an elevat ion direction movable member 170, and an elevation adjustment bol5 t
(orientation adjustment part) 180.
[0019]
The clamp unit 140 includes a U-bolt 141 and a bracket 142. The U-bolt
141 has a U shape to enclose the mast 10, so that the mast 10 is held between the
10 U-bolt 141 and the bracket 142 on the backside of the bracket 142. The bracket
142 has a hollow rectangular shape with one open side to accommodate the
azimuth direction movable member 150. The front side of the bracket 142 is open
to accommodate the azimuth direction movable member 150.
[0020]
15 The azimuth direction movable member 150 is supported rotatably about
an axis, accommodated inside the bracket 142. The axis l ine of the rotation axis
is vert ical, and the azimuth direction movable member 150 can be displaced in the
azimuth direction by this rotation axis.
[0021]
20 Regarding the rotation axis, the description of the axis line direction of the
rotation axis is in consideration of a general instal lation state of the antenna device
100. Note that, however, regarding the degree of freedom of moving the antenna
unit 110, it is enough with two axes that can rotate independent ly of each other ,
and therefore the axis line direction of the rotation axis is not limited to the
25 direction of gravity such as a vertical or horizontal direction.
[0022]
Fig. 2 is a view viewed from the direction II in Fig. 1. In other words,
Fig. 2 is a view showing the antenna device 100 viewed from above. A side
surface of the bracket 142 has two long holes 143 and 143 with the rotation axis
30 placed therebetween, and screws 144 and 144 are inserted into the long holes 143
and 143 and screwed into the azimuth direction movable member 150. By
adjusting the degree of fastening the screws 144 and 144, it is possible to switch
between the movable state and the fixed state of the azimuth direction movable
member 150.
9
[0023]
The azimuth adjustment bolt 160 is inserted from the backside of the
bracket 142 and its head is coupled to the backside of the azimuth direction
movable member 150. When the azimuth adjustment bol t 160 is turned to move
forward or backward, the azimuth direction movable member 150 is pushed o5 r
pulled, and thereby the azimuth direction movable member 150 rotates around the
rotation axis. Stated differently, the azimuth of the azimuth direction movable
member 150 is changed by the operation of turning the azimuth adjustment bol t
160. Thus, the azimuth adjustment bolt 160 serves as an orientation adjustment
10 part that changes the orientation (azimuth) of the antenna unit by the application of
a force.
[0024]
The elevation direction movable member 170 is mounted on the front side
of the azimuth direction movable member 150. The elevation direction movable
15 member 170 is attached to the azimuth direction movable member 150 at the base
end 171 of the elevat ion direction movable member 170 and coupled to the
backside of the antenna unit 110 at the front side. The base end 171 of the
elevation direction movable member 170 is supported rotatably about an axis by
the azimuth direction movable member 150. The rotat ion axis is horizontal, and
20 the elevation direction movable member 170 can be displaced in the elevation
direction by the rotat ion axis. The base end 171 of the elevation direction
movable member 170 has two long holes 172 and 172 with the rotation axis placed
therebetween, and screws 173 and 173 are inserted into the long holes 172 and 172
and screwed into the azimuth direction movable member 150. By adjust ing the
25 degree of fastening the screws 173 and 173, it is possible to switch between the
movable state and the fixed state of the elevation direction movable member 170.
[0025]
The base end 171 of the elevation direction movable member 170 is
provided with an elevation adjustment bolt 180 that hangs down substantially
30 vertically, and the elevation adjustment bolt 180 is screwed wi th the azimuth
direction movable member 150. By turning the elevation adjustment bolt 180 so
that it moves forward or backward, the base end 171 of the elevation direct ion
movable member 170 can be pushed up or pulled down, and thereby the elevation
of the elevation direction movable member 170 is changed. Thus, the elevation
10
adjustment bolt 180 serves as an orientat ion adjustment part that changes the
orientation (elevation) of the antenna unit by the applicat ion of a force.
[0026]
It would be understandable that the antenna device 100 having the above
structure can adjust the azimuth and the elevation of the antenna unit 5 110
independently of each other.
Because the antenna unit 110 is coupled to the front end of the elevation
direction movable member 170, it can change the elevation of the antenna unit 110
together with the elevation direction movable member 170. The elevation
10 adjustment bolt 180 is turned at this time. Further, because the base end 171 of
the elevation di rection movable member 170 is at tached to the azimuth direction
movable member 150, the elevation direction movable member 170 and the antenna
unit 110 can change the azimuth together with the azimuth direction movable
member 150. The azimuth adjustment bolt 160 is turned at this time.
15 [0027]
An antenna orientation adjustment device 200 is descried hereinafter.
Fig. 4 is a view showing the state where the antenna orientation adjustment
device 200 is attached to the antenna device 100.
The antenna orientation adjustment device 200 includes a camera 210, two
20 nut runners (motor-driven units) 220 and 230, a motion controller 400, and a
personal computer 240. A system in which the antenna orientation adjustment
device 200 is attached to the antenna device 100 is referred to as an antenna
system.
[0028]
25 A worker who installs the antenna device 100 conducts work to mount the
camera 210 and the nut runners 220 and 230 on the antenna device 100. After
that , the orientation of the antenna unit 110 is adjusted semi -automatically. This
is described hereinbelow.
[0029]
30 Note that the personal computer 240 is included only for convenience of
using input and output means (a keyboard and a display), and the personal
computer 240 is not needed if an input means and an output means are incorporated
into the motion controller 400. The input means in this case is a keyboard, a
touch panel , various types of switches, various types of push buttons or the like.
11
The output means is typically a liquid crystal monitor.
[0030]
The camera 210 may be a digital camera or a portable terminal (for
example, a mobi le phone) with a camera funct ion. In Fig. 4, the camera 210 is
mounted on the back of the antenna unit 110, and the direction in which the lens o5 f
the camera 210 takes an image has no relat ion to the direction in which the antenna
device 100 receives radio waves. Like in this example, the direction in which the
camera 210 takes an image is arbitrary. Note that , however, as will be apparent
from the fol lowing description, an object whose posi tion is set (fixed) needs be
10 within an imaging region. In other words, an imaging direction to merely take a
sky image, for example, is of no use. It is preferred that a construct such as a
building or a house, for example, appears in the image. Further, if possible, it is
more preferred that an object with a clear color, shape or the like appears in the
image. A worker who installs the antenna device 100 looks over the surroundings
15 and roughly determines the orientation of the camer a 210 so that the
above-described construct appears in the image. Then, the worker fixedly mounts
the camera 210 on an appropriate posi tion on the antenna device 100.
[0031]
In the case of mounting the camera 210 on the top surface of the storage
20 box 123 as shown in Fig. 1, the easiest way is to attach the camera 210 to the
storage box 123 using a double-sided tape. Note that, however, even when the
easiest way is employed, it is necessary that the positions and orientations of the
antenna unit 110 and the camera 210 are not displaced relative to each other.
Stated differently, if the posi tion or orientation of the antenna unit 110 changes,
25 the posi tion or orientation of the camera 210 should be changed in the same way.
[0032]
Fig. 5 shows, for reference, the case where the camera 210 is fixed to the
antenna unit 110 using a given mounting jig 211. Like in this example, the
camera 210 can face the same direction as the reception direction of the antenna
30 unit 110 as a matter of course.
[0033]
The nut runners 220 and 230 are electric power bolt screwdrivers that turn
the azimuth adjustment bol t 160 and the elevation adjustment bolt 180. The nut
runners 220 and 230 have the same structure. To distinguish between them, the
12
nut runner that turns the azimuth adjustment bol t 160 is denoted by the reference
number "220", and the nut runner that turns the elevation adjustment bolt 180 is
denoted by the reference number "230".
[0034]
Fig. 6 shows the structure of the nut runners 220 and 230. Because th5 e
nut runners 220 and 230 have the same structure, only the nut runner 220 is
described as an example. (In the case of the nut runner 230, the second digit of
the reference number is replaced with "3".) In Fig. 6, the nut runner 220 includes
a nut 221, a gear 222 that rotates with the nut 221, a pinion 223 that meshes with
10 the gear 222, and a motor 224 that drives the pinion 223 to rotate it. Note that, in
Fig. 6, a housing 225 is shown by a dotted line to see through the inside thereof.
As shown in Fig. 6, the hole of the nut 221 is rather deep to al low the bolts 160 and
180 to move forward or backward. It is thereby possible to prevent the screw
heads of the bolts 160 and 180 and the base of the nut 221 from coming into
15 contact with each other.
[0035]
A worker mounts the nut 221 of the nut runner 220 on the screw head of
the azimuth adjustment bol t 160 and mounts the nut of the nut runner 230 on the
screw head of the elevation adjustment bol t 180 (see Fig. 4). The motors 224 and
20 225 are driven by a driving signal from the motion controller 400. When the
motors 224 and 225 are driven, the pinions 223 and 233, the gears 222 and 232 and
the nuts 221 and 231 rotate accordingly. In this manner, the azimuth adjustment
bolt 160 and the elevation adjustment bolt 180 move forward or backward by
driving the nut runners 220 and 230, and thereby the orientation (azimuth and
25 elevation) of the antenna uni t 110 is adjusted.
[0036]
Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram of the motion controller 400. In Fig.
7, the funct ions of the motion controller , except for a motor driver, may be
implemented as a result of a CPU loading a program.
30 [0037]
The motion controller 400 includes a central control unit 405, a motor
driver 406, an image processing uni t 410, a reception strength detection unit 420, a
reception strength recording unit 430, a peak search uni t 440, and an adjustment
instruction unit 450.
13
[0038]
Further, the image processing unit 410 includes an image capture unit 411,
an initial image recording unit 412, an image matching processing unit 413, and a
displacement calculat ion unit (position calculation unit) 414.
The adjustment instruction unit 450 includes a peak position recordin5 g
unit 451 and a gap calculation unit 452.
The detailed operation of each functional unit is described later with
reference to the flowchart and the illustrat ion.
[0039]
10 Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of adjusting the antenna
orientation to the most appropriate direction. The antenna orientation adjustment
method broadly includes a preparation step (ST100), a step of searching for the
best reception direct ion (ST200), a step of adjusting the antenna orientation
(ST300), and a step of fixing the antenna device (ST400). Each step is described
15 hereinbelow.
[0040]
The preparation step (ST100) includes a step of temporarily installing the
antenna device 100 (ST110), a step of mounting the camera 210 on the antenna
device 100 (ST120), a step of mounting the nut runners on the azimuth adjustment
20 bolt 160 and the elevation adjustment bolt 180 (ST130), a step of wiring (ST140),
and a step of starting the motion controller (ST150).
[0041]
The step of temporari ly installing the antenna device 100 (ST110) is a step
of installing the antenna device 100 at a specified instal lation place using the
25 mounting means 130 as already shown in Fig. 1. In this step, the orientat ion of
the antenna unit 110 may be adjusted roughly to a certain azimuth and elevation.
For example, the orientation of the antenna unit 110 may be set toward an opposite
station using a compass, or the orientation of the antenna unit 110 may be set to an
opposite station after identifying the opposite station using a telescope. Note
30 that , although a fine adjustment will be made later (ST300), the fine adjustment
become difficult if there is a gap of as large as 10° or 20°. Thus, it is necessary
to set the orientation of the antennas (i.e., orientate the antennas) to a degree that
allows measurement of the reception strength level. For example, the gap is
preferably within the range of about 5°, front and back, for example, with respect
14
to the direction that is assumed to be the best , though it depends on the size and
performance of the antenna. In general, there is a difference of about 20dB to
30dB between the reception strength required for communications and the
minimum necessary reception strength required to measure the reception strength.
[00425 ]
The step of mounting the camera 210 (ST120) is as described earlier with
reference to Fig. 1. That is, a worker looks over the surroundings and roughly
determines the orientation of the camera 210 so that a construct appears in the
image if possible, and then fixedly mounts the camera 210 on an appropriate
10 position on the antenna device 100.
[0043]
The next step is to mount the nut runners 220 and 230 on the azimuth
adjustment bolt 160 and the elevat ion adjustment bolt 180 (ST130). Specifically,
the worker mounts the nut 221 of the nut runner 220 on the screw head of the
15 azimuth adjustment bolt 160 and mounts the nut 231 of the nut runner 230 on the
screw head of the elevation adjustment bol t 180.
[0044]
After that, wires are connected to the motion control ler 400 (ST140).
First, the camera 210 and the motion controller 400 are connected together.
20 Then, wiring is done so that the reception level of the antenna device 100 can be
detected by the motion control ler 400. To be specific, the receiving circuit 121 of
the transmitting and receiving unit 120 is connected to the motion controller 400.
Further, the nut runners 220 and 230 are connected to the motion controller 400.
[0045]
25 Although an example where the camera 210 and the motion controller 400,
and the antenna device 100 and the motion control ler 400 are respectively
connected by wire is shown in Fig. 1, they may be connected wirelessly.
Further, the nut runners 220 and 230 and the motion controller 400 may be
connected wirelessly.
30 In this case, drivers are incorporated into the nut runners 220 and 230, and
only control signals are transmitted wirelessly from the motion control ler 400 to
the nut runners 220 and 230.
[0046]
After wiring is done, the motion controller 400 is started (ST140), and a
15
specified program (antenna orientation adjustment program) is loaded. The
preparation step (ST100) thereby ends.
[0047]
Next, the step of searching for the best reception direction (ST200) is
described. (Note that the step ST200 of searching for the best reception directio5 n
and the step ST300 of adjusting the antenna orientation are the process
automatically performed by the motion control ler 400). Fig. 9 is a flowchart
showing a detai led procedure of the step of searching for the best reception
direction (ST200). The first to be performed is the capture of an initial image.
10 The camera 210 is already mounted on the antenna device 100, and the image
capture unit 411 captures the current image in the camera 210 as an ini tial image
(ST210).
[0048]
Fig. 10 is a view showing the antenna device 100 viewed from above.
15 (Stated differently, Fig. 10 is a view showing the antenna device 100 viewed from
the direction of the arrow II in Fig. 1.) In Fig. 10, the imaging range of the
camera 210 is indicated by the dot ted line. (Note that the alternate long and short
dashed line indicates the center line of the imaging range.) In the exampl e of Fig.
10, it is assumed that a building 20 stands near the center of the imaging range of
20 the camera 210. Accordingly, the building 20 appears near the center in the
camera image as shown in Fig. 11. The camera image is displayed on a display
unit 241 of the personal computer 240 through the image capture unit 411.
[0049]
Note that, in the description of this specification, a display example on the
25 display unit 241 is shown to visually represent the process performed by the
motion controller 400 for a worker (and a reader of this specification). However,
because the antenna orientation adjustment is automat ically performed by the
motion controller 400, there is basically no need to display the details of the
process one by one.
30 [0050]
Fig. 12 is a view showing an example of a display screen. The display
screen is roughly divided into four regions, and the upper left region is an initial
image display region R10 that displays the initial image. A worker views the
image displayed in the initial image display region R10 and recognizes that an
16
object (20) that can serve as a landmark appears in the image. The initial image
is recorded and stored into the initial image recording uni t 412.
[0051]
After capturing the initial image (ST210), the central control unit 405
conducts work to slightly change the orientat ion of the antenna unit 110 (ST2205 ).
In this process (ST220), the central control unit 405 sends a control signal to the
motor driver 406. In response to the control signal , the motor driver 406 sends a
drive signal to the nut runners 220 and 230.
[0052]
10 Fig. 13 is a view showing the state where the azimuth of the antenna unit
110 is slightly shifted. (Although the azimuth is shifted about 10° in Fig. 13 to
facilitate understanding for convenience of explanation, it is preferred in practice
to shift the angle l ittle by little (for example, 0.1° each time).) Because the
camera 210 is displaced integrally with the antenna unit 110, the azimuth of the
15 camera 210 also changes in the same way as that of the antenna unit 110.
Accordingly, the imaging direction of the camera 210 changes. As a result, it is
assumed that the building 20 is displaced slightly to the left in the imaging region
as shown in Fig. 14. In the display screen of Fig. 12, it is assumed that the region
below the initial image display region R10 is a current image display region R20
20 that displays the current image. With the current image display region R20, the
worker can view the image that is currently captured by the camera 210 in real
time.
[0053]
The image that is taken by the camera 210 after i ts orientation is changed
25 is the current image. The current image is captured by the image capture unit 411
(ST230). Then, the image processing uni t 410 compares the current image with
the initial image and thereby calculates a gap between the current image and the
initial image (ST240). Comparing two images and recognizing the images to see
how much one is deviated from the other is an application of pattern matching and
30 implemented by various methods. For example, Phase-Only Correlation is
known.
[0054]
The image matching processing unit 413 compares the init ial image P10
with the current image P20 and shifts the current image P20 so that the current
17
image P20 most closely matches the initial image P10. Fig. 15 is a view showing
the state where the current image P20 is superimposed on the initial image P10 so
that they match. It is assumed that the building 20, which has appeared near the
center in the initial image P10, appears to the left in the current image P20. In
this case, it is found that the image center Oc of the current image P 20 is displace5 d
to the right relative to the image center Oi of the initial image P 10.
[0055]
The displacement calculation unit 414 calculates the gap between the
current image P20 and the initial image P10 based on a result of matching by the
10 image matching processing unit 413 (ST240). In this example, i t is calculated
how many pixels are left as a gap. As shown in Fig. 16, it is assumed that the
crosswise direction is the x-axis direction and the lengthwise direction is the
y-axis direction in the display image. The displacement calculation unit 414
calculat es th e gap b y calculat in g how man y (ΔX) pix els in th e x -direct ion and how
15 man y (ΔY) p ixels in the y-direction the current image P20 is deviated from the
initial image P10. T he cal cul ated gap s (ΔX, ΔY) are dis pla yed on t he dis pl a y
screen. It is assumed that the gaps in the x -direction and in the y-direction are
displayed below the current image display region R20 (see Fig. 12).
[0056]
20 As is understood from Fig. 15 or 16, when the center Oi of the initial
image P10 is the origin of the coordinate system, the coordinates of the center Oc
of the current image P20 is r ep r esent ed as (ΔX, ΔY). Accordingly, in this
speci ficati on, th e coo rdin at es (ΔX, ΔY) ar e ref er r ed t o as t he p ositio n o f t he
current image P20 in some cases. Further, as described earlier, the positions and
25 orientations of the antenna unit 110 and the camera 210 are fixed relat ive to each
other. In other words, the orientation of the antenna unit 110 and the image taken
by the camera 210 at the same orientat ion as that of the antenna unit 110 are in a
one-to-one correspondence. Accordingly, in this specification, the coordinat es
(ΔX, ΔY) ar e ref er r ed to as th e po sitio n o f th e ant enn a u nit, t h e o rient ation ( an gl e)
30 of the antenna unit 110 being equated wit h th e p ositi on (ΔX, ΔY) of th e image in
some cases. (Thus, the displacement calculation unit 414 is referred to as a
position calculation unit in some cases.)
[0057]
After the posit ion of the current image P20 is calculated in this way, the
18
reception strength is detected (ST250). Specifically, the strength of the signal
that can be received in the current orientat ion of the an tenna unit 110 is detected.
The electric wave signal received by the antenna unit 110 is transmitted to the
reception strength detection uni t 420 through the transmitting and receiving unit
120 (the receiving circuit 121). The reception strength detection unit 420 obtain5 s
the input signal level . For the calculation of the signal level , the reception
strength detection unit 420 performs the time-average method. The reception
strength obtained in this manner is displayed on the display screen. It is assumed
in this example that the display region of the reception strength, together with the
10 gap, is placed below the current image display region R20.
[0058]
The position of the current image P20 and the reception level at this time
are recorded as a pair (ST260). Specifically, the position of the current image
P20 calculated by the displacement calculation unit 414 and the reception strength
15 detected by the reception strength detection unit 420 are transmitted to the
reception strength recording unit 430. The reception strength recording uni t 430
records the position of the current image P20 and the reception strength as a pair.
[0059]
Further, after the position of the current image P20 and the reception
20 strength are recorded, they are displayed as a graph on the display screen. It is
assumed in this example that the upper right region of the display screen is a graph
display region R30.
[0060]
The central control unit 405 repeats the steps from changing the antenna
25 orientation (ST220) to recording the data (ST260) by changing the orientation of
the antenna unit 110 little by little. Fig. 17 shows an example of the reception
antenna pattern 30 of the antenna device 100 and a step-by-step change of the
orientation of the antenna unit 110. In the case where the antenna uni t 110 is a
parabolic antenna, the reception antenna pattern 30 is a concentric circle. The
30 central control unit 405 measures the reception level by changing the orientation of
the antenna unit 110 in various ways within a predetermined range. For example,
it may perform a raster scan in the range of ±5º in azimuth and ±5º in elevation.
Specifically, for example, as indicated by the arrow A, the elevation is fixed to a
certain value, and only the azimuth is shifted from left to right . This means the
19
nut runner 220 is driven. Next, as indicated by the arrow B, the elevation is
changed to a li ttle smaller value (that is, the nut runner 230 is driven), and only the
azimuth is shifted from right to left (the nut runner 220 is driven). Repeating this
process, the orientation of the antenna uni t 110 is changed as indicated by the
arrow C and the arrow D. By this operat ion, the graph indicat ing the relationshi5 p
between the position of the antenna unit 110 and the reception strength is obtained.
[0061]
Fig. 18 is a graph showing a change in reception strength with a change in
the orientation of the antenna uni t 110 along the arrow A. In Fig. 18, the vertical
10 axis is the reception level, and the horizontal axis is the azimuth. Note that the
azimuth is r ep resented b y th e v alu e of ΔX. Fu rth er , b ecaus e th e el ev ation
co rr es pond s to Δ y, Fi g. 18 is labeled ΔYA on the right. Likewise, Fig. 19 is the
graph corresponding to the arrow B, and Fig. 20 is the graph corresponding to the
arrow C. The recept ion strength reaches i ts peak when going through the center
15 of the emission pattern as indicated by the arrow C. The graphs of Figs. 18, 19
and 20 are displayed in the graph display region R30 of the display screen as
shown in Fig. 12.
[0062]
When measurements in a specified range are done (YES in ST270), the
20 peak posit ion is searched for (ST280). The peak search unit 440 searches for the
maximum value of the reception strength among the data recorded in the reception
strength recording unit 430. The peak search uni t 440 finds the maximum value
of the reception strength by a search and further reads the posit ion of the antenna
unit 110 at which the maximum value of the reception strength is achieved. (As
25 described earl ier, the posit ion of the antenna unit 110 and the reception strength
are recorded as a pair in the reception strength recording uni t 430.) The
maximum value of th e r eceptio n st ren gth and th e po sitio n (ΔX, ΔY) o f th e ant enn a
unit 110 at this time are displayed in a maximum reception direction display region
R40 (ST290). As shown in Fig. 12, the reception direct ion display region R40 is
30 placed in the lower middle part of the display screen. In the following
description, the posit ion of the antenna unit 110 at which the maximum value of
the reception strength is achieved is referred to as " a peak posi tion" in some cases.
The peak position calculated by the peak search unit 440 is recorded in the peak
position recording unit 451.
20
[0063]
After the orientation (position) of the antenna uni t 110 at which the
maximum value of the reception strength is achieved is obtained, the step of
searching for the best recept ion direction (ST200) ends. Then, the process
proceeds to the step of adjusting the orientation of the antenna unit 110 (ST3005 ).
[0064]
The step of adjust ing the orientation of the antenna unit 110 (ST300) is
described hereinafter. The position (peak posit ion) of the antenna unit 110 at
which the maximum value of the reception strength is achieved has already been
10 obtained in the step of searching for the best reception direct ion (ST 200), and, in
this step of adjusting the orientation of the antenna unit 110 (ST300), the motion
control ler 400 makes an adjustment to set the orientation of the antenna unit 110 at
the peak position.
[0065]
15 Fig. 21 is a detailed flowchart of the steps of adjusting the orientation of
the antenna unit 110 (ST300). The image capture unit 411 captures the current
image (ST310). Specifically, in order to ident ify the current antenna position, the
image that is currently taken by the camera 210 is acquired. Then, a gap between
the initial image and the current image is calculated b y the image matching
20 processing unit 413 and the displacement calculation unit 414 (ST320) and
displayed together wi th the current image in the current image display region R20.
[0066]
Fu rth er, t he po sitio n (ΔX, ΔY) of th e cu r r ent image is t r ansmit ted to the
gap calculation unit 452. The gap calculation unit 452 calculates how much the
25 current image is deviated when the peak position is the origin. Fig. 22 shows this
calculat ion. In Fig. 22, t he p eak p ositi on is (ΔXp, ΔYp ), whi ch is s et as th e
origin. Th en , a gap between th e p ositi on (ΔX, ΔY) of th e cu r r ent image and t he
origin is represented as (Gap(x), Gap(y)). The gap (Gap(x), Gap(y)) calculated in
this manner is displayed in a gap display regio n R50 of the display screen (ST330).
30 It is assumed in this example that the gap display region R50 is placed on the right
of the maximum reception direction display region R40.
[0067]
The central control unit 405 determines whether the gap is wi thin the
allowable range (ST340). (It is assumed that the allowable range is
21
predetermined.) In this determination, not only the value of the gap (Gap(x),
Gap(y)) but also how much the current reception strength is below the peak value
is taken into consideration. Because the amount of gap that is determined from
the image differs depending on the distance from the camera 210 to the object, for
example, it is not preferred to use only the gap as an index. (A gap for the camer5 a
angle 1° differs depending on the distance from the camera 210 to the object.)
[0068]
When the gap is outside the allowable range (NO in ST340), the central
control unit 405 adjusts the orientation of the antenna unit 110 so that it is at the
10 peak posit ion (ST350). ( In other words, i t drives the nut runners 220 and 230.)
Then, the central control unit 405 evaluates how much the posit ion of the antenna
unit 110 after adjustment is deviated from the peak position (ST340) again and
adjusts the orientation of the antenna unit 110 so that it is at the peak posit ion
(ST350). (This equals feedback control with use of the camera 210 and the
15 reception strength detection uni t 420 as a sensor ). When the central control uni t
405 determines that the gap is within the allowable range (YES in ST340), i t
reports the completion to the worker (ST360). (The completion may be reported
by a sound or a message on the display unit 241.)
[0069]
20 It is thereby possible to adjust the antenna unit 110 to the orientation
where the maximum reception level is achieved.
[0070]
Finally, the antenna device is fixed. Spe cifically, the orientat ion of the
antenna unit 110 is fixed by fastening the screws 144, 144, 173 and 173.
25 [0071]
There is a possibil ity that the orientation of the antenna unit 110 is
displaced when the screws 144, 144, 173 and 173 are fastened. Thus, i t is
preferred to keep the image processing uni t 410 activated during the work of
fastening the screws 144, 144, 173 and 173 and repeat ST310 to ST340. Note
30 that , when the gap is outside the allowable range (ST340), it is preferred to notify
the worker of the displacement by a sound or display without driving the nut
runners 220 and 230. If the nut runners 220 and 230 are driven after the worker
has fastened the screws 144, 144, 173 and 173 to a certain degree, either of the nut
runners 220 and 230 or the bol ts 160 and 180 can be broken.
22
[0072]
After the antenna device is appropriately fixed, the antenna orientation
adjustment device 200 is removed from the antenna device 100.
[0073]
According to the first exemplary embodiment with the above -describe5 d
structure, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.
(1) According to this exemplary embodiment, it is possible to
automatically adjust the orientation of the antenna unit 110 to achieve the
maximum reception level. In the existing system, the or ientat ion of the antenna
10 unit 110 is adjusted by a trial -and-error method relying on guesswork, such as
seeking to determine the direction where the maximum reception level is achieved
by trial and error or repeating fine adjustment in a step -by-step manner.
On the other hand, in the first exemplary embodiment , the maximum
reception level is obtained among the data recorded in the reception strength
15 recording unit 430, and then the angle position (peak position) of the antenna unit
110 where the maximum reception level is achieved is obtained as well (ST280).
Further, the direction and the amount of gap between the current antenna angle
position and the peak posit ion are obtained (ST420). Then, by turning the bolts
160 and 180 using the nut runners 220 and 230 (ST350), the orientation of the
20 antenna unit 110 is adjusted automatical ly. Therefore, according to the first
exemplary embodiment, any worker can quickly and accurately instal l the antenna
device 100 without the need to resort to trial and error and expert skill for turning
the adjustment bolt only sl ightly with fingers feeling.
[0074]
25 (2) In the first exemplary embodiment, the angle position of the antenna
unit 110 is obtained by comparing the images that are taken by the camera 210.
Because it is only necessary to obtain the angle position of the antenna unit 110 as
a relative displacement from the initial angle posi tion or the peak posit ion, the
imaging direction of the camera 210 is not limited to a specific direction. In
30 other words, the antenna uni t 110 and the camera 210 do not need to be aligned.
Accordingly, there is no need for costs and labor needed to attach the camera 210
aligned with each antenna device 100.
[0075]
(3) In this exemplary embodiment, the camera 210 is not used as a sighting
23
device. When the radio emitting direction is deviated even slightly from the
antenna plane, even if the antenna orientat ion is adjusted in the correct direction to
the antenna plane of the radio emitting source, it is not necessarily the orientatio n
where the maximum reception level is achieved. On the other hand, in this
exemplary embodiment, the antenna unit 110 is orientated to the position where th5 e
reception level of radio waves is the highest.
[0076]
(4) In this exemplary embodiment , only a slight displacement of the
antenna unit 110 can be detected by using the image of the camera 210. There is
10 a technique whereby a rotary encoder is added to a moving part of the antenna
device and the orientation of the antenna unit detected by an output value of the
rotary encoder. (This structure is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent
Application Publication No. 2010-278807, for example.) However, in order to
detect the rotation of less than 1° by the rotary encoder, the diameter of the rotary
15 encoder needs to be several tens cm, which causes an increase in the size of the
antenna device. Further, the rotary encoder having such high accuracy is very
expensive. Furthermore, even in the case where the orientation of the antenna
unit is detected by the rotary encoder, a displacement transmitting mechanism such
as a gear is required between the rotary encoder and the antenna unit. Then, an
20 error due to backlash occurs between gears.
[0077]
On the other hand, the structure using the camera 210 as in this exemplary
embodiment is inexpensive and does not cause an increase in the size of the
antenna device 100. Further, as a distance from the camera 210 to an object is
25 longer, a deviation of the object with a change in the angle of the camera 210 is
larger. Accordingly, by using the image of the camera 210, it is possible to detect
the displacement of the camera 210 (i .e. the antenna unit 110) with a very high
resolut ion. Because the position (displacement) of the antenna unit 110 itself is
measured by the camera 210, there is no occurrence of backlash. ( In brief, this is
30 the same as the case where a displacement sensor is mounted on an object whose
direction is to be adjusted). Because the orientation of the antenna unit can be
measured directly in this manner, it is possible to achieve the highly accurate
adjustment of the orientation.
[0078]
24
(5) Because the displacement of the antenna unit is detected using an
image of the camera 210 in this exemplary embodiment , the resolution for
displacement detection can be higher as the camera 210 takes an image of a scene
as far away as possible. The antenna device is installed in a high place or a place
with a fine view for transmitting and receiving radio waves. Accordingly, whe5 n
the camera 210 is mounted on the antenna device 100, the camera 210 is in the
state of being able to take an image of distant objects. Thus, using the camera
210 for detecting the orientation of the antenna unit 110 has a significant effect.
In the environment where an image can be taken only a short distance from an
10 object , it is necessary to use a highly accurate optical system in which any
aberration, distortion and the like is el iminated in order to detect small
displacement in image processing. In this case, it is totally inadequate to use a
common digital camera. On the other hand, in the case of using the camera 210
for adjusting the orientation of the antenna unit 110 as in this exemplary
15 embodiment, it is possible to take the image of a distant view, and it is therefore
possible to meet demand sufficient ly with the low-cost camera 210.
[0079]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the
above-described exemplary embodiment and may be varied in many ways within
20 the scope of the present invention.
When searching for the peak position, although a raster scan over the
whole area may be performed as shown in Fig. 17, there are many other variations
of the method of searching for the peak position. One example is a method of
alternately scanning in the EL direction and the AZ direction and thereby
25 narrowing down the peak posit ion, as shown in Fig. 23. In this method, (1) scan
is performed along a certain line in the EL direction and the peak dire ction is
obtained on that line, and then (2) EL is set in the peak direction and scan is
performed along the l ine in the AZ direct ion. By repeating this operation, it is
possible to narrow down and obtain the peak posit ion. (Stated different ly, this
30 method is the same as alternately performing the steps ST200 and ST300).
[0080]
In the motion control ler 400, each of the central control uni t 405, the
image processing uni t 410, the reception strength detect ion unit 420, the reception
strength recording unit 430, the peak search unit 440 and the adjustment
25
instruction unit 450 may be dedicated hardware composed of various logical
elements. Alternatively, the functions of the central control unit 405, the image
processing unit 410, the reception strength detection unit 420, the reception
strength recording unit 430, the peak search unit 440 and the adjustment
instruction unit 450 may be implemented by incorporating a given program into 5 a
computer having a CPU (Central Processing Device), a memory (storage device)
and the like. The above-described functional units may be implemented by
installing an antenna orientation adjustment program to the memory in the
computer having the CPU and the memory through a communication means such as
10 the Internet or a nonvolatile recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a memory
card and causing the CPU or the like to operate with the installed program. The
program may be installed by directly insert ing the memory card, the CD-ROM or
the like into the computer or externally connecting equipment that reads such as a
storage medium to the computer. Further the program may be supplied and
15 installed through communicat ion by connecting a LAN cable, a wired or wireless
communicat ion line to the computer.
[0081]
In the above-described exemplary embodiment , the azimuth adjustment
bolt 160 and the elevation adjustment bolt 180 are described as being examples of
20 the orientat ion adjustment parts. Typical ly, the orientat ion adjustment parts are
screws, and the screws are turned to move forward or backward to thereby move
the antenna unit. Note that, however, the orientation adjustment parts are not
limited thereto as a mater of course, and any structure may be used as long as it can
change the orientation of the antenna unit. For example, such a structure can be
25 implemented by combining a cam and a gear in various ways.
Likewise, although the nut runners are described as an example of the
motor-driven unit because bolts are used as the orientation adjustment parts, if the
orientation adjustment parts are replaced by another thing, the motor-driven unit is
changed to fit them as a mat ter of course.
30 [0082]
In some structure of the antenna device, the azimuth and the elevation can
be made variable by one orientation adjustment part . Such an antenna device is
disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl ication Publication No. H5-67909,
for example. In this case, only one motor-driven unit (nut runner) is used.
26
[0083]
Although the example in which the antenna device and the antenna
orientation adjustment device are separated is described in the above ex emplary
embodiment, the antenna device and the antenna orientat ion adjustment device
may be combined together. Fig. 24 shows an antenna system in which the antenn5 a
device and an orientation adjustment device are combined together, for example.
In Fig. 24, the antenna system is placed on an installation surface of an installation
base 60. The antenna system has a structure in which the antenna uni t 110 is
supported by a pan head 520. The pan head 520 includes a base table 521, a
10 rotating table 522 that is supported rotatably on the base table 521, a rotating
motor 524 that drives the rotating table 522 to rotate it, a turning table 523 that is
supported to be able to turn along the elevation direction on the rotating table 522,
and a turning motor 525 that drives the turning table 523 to turn it. A control unit
540 and the antenna unit 110 are supported on the turning table 523. The control
15 unit 540 includes the transmitting and receiving unit 120 and the motion controller
400. (In this case, the pan head serves as the orientation adjustment part.) If the
antenna system has a motor, there is no need to attach and detach the nut runner.
[0084]
This applicat ion is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from
20 Japanese patent application No. 2014-019265, filed on February 4, 2014, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Reference Signs List
[0085]
25 10 MAST
20 BUILDING
30 RECEPTION ANTENNA PATTERN
100 ANTENNA DEVICE
110 ANTENNA UNIT
30 120 TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING UNIT
121 RECEIVING CIRCUIT
122 TRANSMITTING CIRCUIT
123 STORAGE BOX
130 MOUNTING MEANS
27
140 CLAMP UNIT
141 U-BOLT
142 BRACKET
143 LONG HOLE
144 SCRE5 W
150 AZIMUTH DIRECTION MOVABLE MEMBER
160 AZIMUTH ADJUSTMENT BOLT
170 ELEVATION DIRECTION MOVABLE MEMBER
172 LONG HOLE
10 173 SCREW
180 ELEVATION ADJUSTMENT BOLT
200 ANTENNA ORIENTATION ADJUSTMENT DEVICE
210 CAMERA
220, 230 NUT RUNNER
15 220 JIG
221 NUT
222 GEAR
223 PINION
224 MOTOR
20 225 HOUSING
240 PERSONAL COMPUTER
241 DISPLAY UNIT
400 MOTION CONTROLLER
405 CENTRAL CONTROL UNIT
25 406 MOTOR DRIVER
410 IMAGE PROCESSING UNIT
411 IMAGE CAPTURE UNIT
412 INITIAL IMAGE RECORDING UNIT
413 IMAGE MATCHING PROCESSING UNIT
30 414 DISPLACEMENT CALCULATION UNIT (POSITION CALCULATION
UNIT)
420 RECEPTION STRENGTH DETECTION UNIT
430 RECEPTION STRENGTH RECORDING UNIT
440 PEAK SEARCH UNIT
28
450 ADJUSTMENT INSTRUCTION UNIT
451 PEAK POSITION RECORDING UNIT
452 GAP CALCULATION UNIT
29

WE CLAIM:
1. An antenna orientation adjustment device comprising:
a camera that is fixed relative to an antenna uni t;
a motor-driven unit that can be mounted on an orientation adjustment par5 t
and changes an orientation of the antenna unit by applying a force of motor power
to the orientation adjustment part; and
a motion controller that adjusts the orientation of the antenna unit by
supplying a drive signal to the motor -driven unit , wherein
10 the motion controller obtains an angle position of the antenna unit based
on an image taken by the camera and a reception strength of radio waves received
by the antenna unit , and adjusts the angle position of the antenna unit by supplying
a drive signal to the motor -driven unit.
15 2. The antenna orientation adjustment device according to Claim 1,
wherein the motion controller acquires a relationship between the orientation of
the antenna unit and the reception strength, changing the orientat ion of the antenna
unit within a specified range by supplying a drive signal to the motor -driven unit.
20 3. The antenna orientation adjustment device according to Claim 1 or 2,
wherein the motion controller obtains an angle position of the antenna unit where
the reception strength is maximum based on an image taken by the camera and the
reception strength of radio waves received by the antenna unit, and adjusts the
antenna unit to the angle posi t ion where the reception strength is maximum by
25 supplying a drive signal to the motor -driven unit .
4. The antenna orientation adjustment device according to any one of
Claims 1 to 3, wherein
the motion controller includes
30 a position calculation unit that calculates a relative angle posi tion of the
antenna unit by using an image taken by a camera;
a reception strength detection uni t that detects a reception strength of
radio waves received by the antenna unit;
a reception strength recording uni t that records the relat ive angle position
30
of the antenna unit and the reception strength at the relative angle position in
association with each other;
a peak search unit that searches for a maximum value of the reception
strength from data recorded in the reception strength recording unit;
a peak posit ion recording unit that records, as a peak position, an angl5 e
position of the antenna unit corresponding to the maximum reception strength
obtained by the peak search unit ; and
a gap calculation unit that calculates a gap between the current angle
position of the antenna unit and the peak position, and
10 the motion controller supplies a drive signal to the motor -driven unit so
that the gap becomes closer to zero.
5. An antenna system comprising:
an antenna device configured to be able to change an orientation of an
15 antenna unit by applying a force to an orientation adjustment part; and
the antenna orientation adjustment device according to any one of Claims
1 to 4.
6. An antenna orientation adjustment method comprising:
20 a step of mounting a camera on an antenna device so that a posi tion and an
orientation are not displaced relative to an antenna unit of the antenna device;
a step of mounting a motor -driven unit on an orientation adjustment part;
a step of calculat ing an angle position of the antenna unit based on an
image taken by the camera and a reception strength of radio waves received by the
25 antenna unit; and
a step of adjusting the angle posi tion of the antenna unit by s upplying a
drive signal to the motor -driven uni t.