US 12,068,522 B2
Magnetic detection of moveable arm position for GNSS antennas in an antenna alignment device
Raleigh Benton Stelle, IV, Indianapolis, IN (US)
Assigned to VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC., Chandler, AZ (US)
Filed by VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/658,294.
Prior Publication US 2023/0327315 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. H01Q 1/08 (2006.01); G01D 5/14 (2006.01); G01S 19/14 (2010.01); G01S 19/35 (2010.01); H01Q 1/12 (2006.01)
CPC H01Q 1/084 (2013.01) [G01D 5/14 (2013.01); H01Q 1/125 (2013.01); G01S 19/14 (2013.01); G01S 19/35 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An antenna alignment device configured to be attached to an external antenna, the antenna alignment device comprising:
a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna mounted on a first arm configured to be independently adjusted to a first set of positions;
a second GNSS antenna mounted on a second arm configured to be independently adjusted to a second set of positions, the independent adjustments of the first arm and second arms in their corresponding non-stowed positions configured to vary a distance between the first and second GNSS antennas during deployment of the antenna alignment device;
a first set of magnetometers configured to detect a first position of the first arm within the first set of positions;
a second set of magnetometers configured to detect a second position of the second arm within the second set of positions; and
a processor configured to use the detected first position of the first arm and the second position of the second arm to calculate an alignment parameter for the external antenna.