Antenna alignment using unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

A system for antenna alignment of a directional antenna used for wireless communication with respect to a target location. The system comprising the directional antenna and an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, arranged to be deployed in relation to the target location. The system is configured for transmission of an alignment signal between the UAV and the directional antenna and also for measuring a level of antenna alignment of the directional antenna with respect to the target location, based on the alignment signal transmission.

1 . A system for antenna alignment of a directional antenna used for wireless communication with respect to a target location, the system comprising;
 the directional antenna, and   an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, arranged to be deployed in relation to the target location,   the system is configured for transmission of an alignment signal between the UAV and the directional antenna,   the system is also configured for measuring a level of antenna alignment of the directional antenna with respect to the target location, based on the alignment signal transmission.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the directional antenna comprises an adjustment module, the adjustment module being arranged for aligning the directional antenna with respect to the target location based on the measured level of antenna alignment. 
     
     
         3 . An unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, for aligning a directional antenna used for wireless communication with respect to a target location, the UAV
 being arranged for deployment in relation to the target location, and   comprising an antenna alignment module configured for transmission of an alignment signal between the UAV and the directional antenna, wherein the transmission comprises any of transmitting and receiving the alignment signal,   the alignment signal is arranged to indicate a level of antenna alignment of the directional antenna with respect to the target location.   
     
     
         4 . The UAV according to  claim 3  further being arranged to be deployed along a flight path in a vicinity of the target location. 
     
     
         5 . The UAV according to  claim 3 , further comprising a positioning module arranged to determine a current position of the UAV. 
     
     
         6 . The UAV according to  claim 3 , further comprising a control module arranged to control a position of the UAV. 
     
     
         7 . The UAV according to  claim 6 , wherein the control module is arranged to control the position of the UAV based on a current position of the UAV determined by the positioning module and on the target location. 
     
     
         8 . The UAV according to  claim 6 , wherein the control module is arranged to control the position of the UAV based on an external control signal received from a remote location via a communications module comprised in the control module. 
     
     
         9 . The UAV according to  claim 3 , wherein the alignment module comprises a receiver module arranged to receive the alignment signal from the directional antenna. 
     
     
         10 . The UAV, according to  claim 9 , wherein the alignment module is arranged to measure a signal quality of the received alignment signal. 
     
     
         11 . The UAV according to  claim 10 , wherein the alignment module is arranged to generate and transmit an antenna alignment level measurement report, based on the measuring of signal quality, to a control entity of the directional antenna. 
     
     
         12 . The UAV according to  claim 11 , wherein the receiver module comprises a polarization module defining a reference polarization of the UAV, and wherein the antenna alignment level measurement report indicates a mismatch between a polarization of the received alignment signal and said reference polarization. 
     
     
         13 . The UAV according to  claim 3 , further comprising a memory module arranged to record and store information relating to received signal quality and/or relating to the antenna alignment level measurement report. 
     
     
         14 . The UAV according to  claim 3 , wherein the alignment module comprises a transmitter module arranged to generate and transmit the alignment signal towards the directional antenna. 
     
     
         15 . The UAV according to  claim 14 , wherein the transmitter module comprises an on-board directional antenna, the on-board directional antenna being arranged to be directed towards the directional antenna. 
     
     
         16 . The UAV according to  claim 15 , further comprising a positioning module arranged to determine a current direction of the on-board directional antenna. 
     
     
         17 . The UAV according to  claim 16 , further comprising a control module arranged to control the direction of the on-board directional antenna to be directed towards the directional antenna. 
     
     
         18 . The UAV according to  claim 14 , wherein the transmitter module comprises a polarization module defining a reference polarization for transmission of the alignment signal.