Methods including detecting cables connected to ports of communications network equipment and related systems

Methods that include detecting cables connected to telecommunications network equipment are provided herein. In particular, a method that includes detecting connections of respective cables to ports of telecommunications network equipment may be performed using image recognition. Moreover, in some embodiments, the method may include detecting, using image recognition, respective positions of the ports. Related systems are also provided.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to communication systems and, in particular, to connections of cables to communications network equipment.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunications network equipment, such as a base station antenna, may include several ports for Radio Frequency (“RF”) signals. When installing the equipment, a human operator will typically manually connect cables to the ports. Moreover, to test the equipment, the operator may need to manually connect specific cables to specific ports on the equipment. If the cables are misconnected, then the equipment may not be tested properly, which may cause operator delays or product quality escapes. For example, improper isolation testing may result in the equipment being shipped from a factory despite having adjacent ports that are not properly connected. It may be challenging to quickly and accurately connect the cables, however, especially when the operator must test different equipment or when the equipment has a large number of ports.

SUMMARY

A method of configuring an RF switch, according to some embodiments herein, may include detecting, using image recognition, connections of cables to respective ports of an antenna. The method may include assigning the ports of the antenna to the RF switch, in response to the detecting. Moreover, the method may include testing the antenna, using the RF switch. In some embodiments, the testing may include return loss testing, isolation testing, and radiation pattern testing.

According to some embodiments, the method may include transmitting data regarding the connections of the cables from a first electronic device to a second electronic device, in response to the detecting. The detecting may include controlling, via the first electronic device, a camera to capture at least one image of the antenna. Moreover, the detecting may include processing, via the first electronic device, the at least one image of the antenna to generate the data regarding the connections of the cables. The assigning may include mapping, via the second electronic device, the ports of the antenna to ports of the RF switch, using the data regarding the connections of the cables. The transmitting may be performed via a wired or short-range wireless connection between the first and second electronic devices.

In some embodiments, the testing may include connecting a first port or second port of a network analyzer to the ports of the antenna via the RF switch.

According to some embodiments, the method may include detecting a respective position on the antenna of each of the ports of the antenna. Moreover, detecting the connections of the cables may include identifying different respective positions of the cables on the antenna.

In some embodiments, the detecting may include identifying different respective visual indicators on the cables. For example, the visual indicators may include different respective colors, or different respective combinations of colors, on the cables. The colors, or the combinations of colors, may be on respective cable collars. As another example, the visual indicators may include different respective barcodes, strings of alphanumeric characters, or polygonal shapes on the cables.

An RF switch configuration system, according to some embodiments herein, may include a first electronic device that is configured to detect, using image recognition, connections of cables to respective ports of an antenna. The system may include a second electronic device that is configured to: receive data regarding the connections of the cables from the first electronic device; and assign the ports of the antenna to the RF switch, using the data regarding the connections of the cables. Moreover, the system may include an RF instrument that is configured to test the antenna, using the RF switch.

In some embodiments, the RF instrument may be a network analyzer that is configured to measure return loss, isolation, and radiation pattern of the antenna. Moreover, the RF switch may be configured to connect a first port or second port of the network analyzer to the ports of the antenna. The ports of the antenna may be thirty or more ports, and the antenna may be a cellular base station antenna.

A method, according to some embodiments herein, may include detecting, using image recognition, respective positions of ports on telecommunications network equipment. Moreover, the method may include detecting, using image recognition, connections of respective cables to the ports of the telecommunications network equipment. In some embodiments, the detecting the connections may include detecting color-coded collars on the cables.

According to some embodiments, the telecommunications network equipment may be a cellular base station antenna, and the method may include: assigning the ports of the cellular base station antenna to an RF switch, in response to the detecting the connections; and testing the cellular base station antenna, using the RF switch.

In some embodiments, the telecommunications network equipment may be a cellular base station antenna, and the method may include: determining that the cables are connected to corresponding frequency groups of the ports of the cellular base station antenna, in response to the detecting the connections; and triggering passive intermodulation (“PIM”) testing of the cellular base station antenna, in response to the determining.

According to some embodiments, the detecting the connections may include determining that at least one of the cables is misconnected to the telecommunications network equipment. Moreover, the method include providing, via an electronic device, a user notification that the at least one of the cables is misconnected.

In some embodiments, the method may include calibrating a switch that is coupled to at least one of the cables, in response to the detecting the connections. Moreover, before the calibrating, the at least one of the cables may be port-agnostic with respect to the ports of the telecommunications network equipment.

According to some embodiments, the method may include comparing the connections with predetermined connections for the telecommunications network equipment. Moreover, the method may include electronically notifying an operator of a cellular base station having the telecommunications network equipment of a result of the comparing. The cables may be cellular base station jumper cables, and the image recognition may include capturing, via a camera that is located in the field, at least one image of the cellular base station jumper cables on the telecommunications network equipment.

In some embodiments, the method may include capturing, by a first electronic device, images of the telecommunications network equipment. The method may include transmitting image data based on the images to a second electronic device that is remote to the first electronic device, and the image recognition may be performed using the second electronic device. Moreover, the method may include receiving, at the first electronic device, data from the second electronic device regarding results of the image recognition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Pursuant to embodiments of the present inventive concepts, methods that include using image recognition to detect cables connected to telecommunications network equipment are provided. For example, each cable that is connected to an antenna may have a unique identifier that is detectable by machine vision. The position of the cable on the antenna may also be detected. As an example, the antenna port to which the cable is connected may be identified by detecting the position of the unique identifier and comparing it with a detected position of the antenna port.

The unique identifier may be, for example, a color-coded collar. As used herein, the term “color-coded collar” refers to a cable collar that is on an end portion of a cable. In some embodiments, opposite end portions of the cable may have respective color-coded collars. Each color-coded collar may have one or more colors. For example, each cable's collar(s) may use a color, or a combination of colors (e.g., inner and outer colored rings), that is unique to a respective cable, thus allowing image recognition to distinguish between different cables.

In some embodiments, image recognition may be used when a human installer attaches multiple cables (e.g., nine cables) between an antenna (e.g., with twenty or more ports) and a radio (e.g., with nine ports) and/or an RF filter or a Tower Mounted Amplifier (“TMA”). In some embodiments, color-coded collars may be on both ends of each jumper cable that the installer attaches. Accordingly, the installer can take photographs of the antenna, radio, filter, and/or TMA, and image recognition can be performed with respect to the photographs to improve the speed and accuracy of the installation. As an example, a software application on an electronic device used by the installer may use image recognition to guide (e.g., with step-by-step instructions) the installer through the connection process in real-time. Moreover, after the installer makes the connections, the application may use image recognition with respect to photographs of the completed connections to confirm that the connections have been made correctly.

The present inventive concepts are not limited, however, to the context of installing telecommunications network equipment. Rather, the present inventive concepts may be used to improve testing of telecommunications network equipment for performance characteristics such as return loss, isolation, and pattern. As an example, the present inventive concepts may use image recognition to quickly and accurately detect cables that are connected between the equipment and an RF switch that is used by an RF instrument to test the equipment before deploying the equipment to the field for installation. By contrast, manually verifying the accuracy of cable connections that are used to test the equipment can be particularly tedious and time-consuming when the equipment has a large number (e.g., twenty, thirty, or more) of ports. If the cables are not connected in a predetermined arrangement to the ports, testing may fail, thus causing a human test operator to change the connections and re-run a test, thereby resulting in time delays. Moreover, in some cases, misconnected equipment may pass a test, but be tested improperly due to misconnection(s), meaning that potentially-failing equipment may be deployed to the field. Accordingly, by ensuring the accuracy of cable connections that are used while testing the equipment, the present inventive concepts can save time for the test operator and can improve the validity of the testing.

In some embodiments, ports of equipment may be assigned to an RF switch after the test operator connects cables to the equipment. As a result, the test operator can connect a bundle of cables to ports of the equipment in any arrangement, thus precluding the possibility of connecting a cable to the wrong port. This saves the test operator time because the test operator does not need to correctly match cables to pre-assigned ports. Cables for testing may thus be referred to herein as “port-agnostic.”

Example embodiments of the present inventive concepts will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached figures.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram illustrating the increasing data connectivity needs for information and communication technology infrastructure. As shown inFIG.1, in an urban or suburban environment100, a telecommunications provider, such as a cellular network operator, may operate a central office110and a macrocell base station120. In addition, the telecommunications provider may operate a plurality of small cell base stations130, WiFi access points140, fixed wireless nodes150, active cabinets160, DSL (e.g., G.fast) distribution points170, security cameras180, and the like.FIG.1also illustrates a plurality of buildings102, including single-family houses102-A, multi-unit commercial and/or residential buildings102-B, and office/industrial buildings102-C where cellular service may be desired.

FIG.2is a front perspective view of a base station antenna200according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts. The antenna200may be, for example, a cellular base station antenna at a macrocell base station120(FIG.1) or at a small cell base station130(FIG.1). As shown inFIG.2, the antenna200is an elongated structure and has a generally rectangular shape. The antenna200includes a radome210. In some embodiments, the antenna200further includes a top end cap220and/or a bottom end cap230. For example, the radome210, in combination with the top end cap220, may comprise a single unit, which may be helpful for waterproofing the antenna200. The bottom end cap230is usually a separate piece and may include a plurality of RF connectors240mounted therein. The connectors240, which may also be referred to herein as “ports,” are not limited, however, to being located on the bottom end cap230. Rather, one or more of the connectors240may be provided on the rear (i.e., back) side of the radome210that is opposite the front side of the radome210. The antenna200is typically mounted in a vertical configuration (i.e., the long side of the antenna200extends along a vertical axis L with respect to Earth).

FIG.3Ais a front perspective view of the antenna200(FIG.2) electrically connected to a radio342by cables300. In some embodiments, the antenna200and the radio342may be located at (e.g., may be components of) a macrocell base station120(FIG.1) or a small cell base station130(FIG.1).

FIG.3Bis a schematic block diagram of antenna ports240(FIG.2) electrically connected to ports340of the radio342(FIG.3A). For example, the radio342may be a beam-forming radio or multiple-input, multiple-output (“MIMO”) radio of a cellular base station, and the ports340may be beam-former ports or MIMO ports. As shown inFIG.3B, the ports240-1through240-8of the antenna200(FIG.2) are electrically connected to ports340-1through340-8, respectively, of the radio342by respective cables300-1through300-8, such as coaxial cables. For simplicity of illustration, only eight ports240are shown inFIG.3B. In some embodiments, however, the antenna200may include twelve, twenty, thirty, or more ports240.

FIG.4is a schematic block diagram of a system400that is configured to (i) detect cable300connections, (ii) configure an RF switch420, and (iii) test telecommunications network equipment430. The system400may include an RF instrument410and first and second electronic devices440-1and440-2. For example, the network equipment430may be wireless telecommunications network equipment430W, such as an antenna200(FIG.2), and the instrument410may be a network analyzer410N that is configured to test (a) return loss, (b) isolation, and (c) a radiation pattern of the antenna200. The instrument410feeds to the switch420, which connects to ports240(FIG.2) of the antenna200. In some embodiments, every port240must connected to the switch420to ensure proper testing. Otherwise, false failures may occur due to testing the wrong port240.

The first electronic device440-1may include a camera C (FIG.5A) that faces the ports240and captures one or more images of the cable300connections to the ports240. For example, the camera C may be positioned on or above a table405on which the antenna200is placed. In some embodiments, the instrument410, the switch420, and/or the second electronic device440-2may also be on the table405, which may be in an interior region401of a building102(FIG.1) where the antenna200is tested before its deployment to the field. Moreover, the camera C may be built-in to the first electronic device440-1. Alternatively, the camera C may be external and communicatively coupled to the first electronic device440-1.

The camera C may be, for example, an eight-megapixel (or higher resolution) camera that the first electronic device440-1uses along with image recognition (e.g., machine learning) software to detect how the antenna200is connected. As an example, the first electronic device440-1may identify cables300(e.g., identification numbers thereof) and their locations on the antenna200. The first electronic device440-1may then transmit this information to the second electronic device440-2, which uses the information to automatically configure the switch420to test the antenna200. In some embodiments, the second electronic device440-2automatically configures the switch420in response to receiving this information for all of the ports240(i.e., once the antenna200is fully connected to the cables300).

The second electronic device440-2may be communicatively coupled to the first electronic device440-1, the instrument410, and/or the switch420. For example, the first and second electronic devices440-1and440-2may be connected to each other by a wired connection, such as a Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) cable407. Moreover, the second electronic device440-2may have wired or wireless communications with the instrument410and/or the switch420. For example, the second electronic device440-2may control configuration of the switch420and/or may trigger the instrument410to test the antenna200.

Though the first and second electronic devices440-1and440-2are shown as individual devices, they may alternatively be integrated in a single electronic device440. Accordingly, the hardware and software of the first and second electronic devices440-1and440-2may be provided inside a single device housing.

Moreover, the second electronic device440-2, and/or another (e.g., third) electronic device440, may be a computer server that hosts one or more software applications that perform one or more of the operations shown inFIGS.10A-10H. For example, for a field installation, the first electronic device440-1may be used by a human installer to guide the installer through the installation and to collect information (e.g., photographs) and transmit the information to the cloud, which may include the server. As an example, the server (or a group of servers) may host a server-based application (e.g., including a database) that performs one or more image recognition algorithms. The server(s) may then transmit image recognition results back to the first electronic device440-1. Such communications between the server(s) and the first electronic device440-1may be, for example, communications over the Internet and/or cellular communications. Accordingly, though a software application (e.g., a smartphone application) on the first electronic device440-1may locally capture images and/or display instructions to guide the installer, some or all processing of the captured images may be performed remotely to the first electronic device440-1, thus relieving some of the processing burden on the first electronic device440-1. For factory testing operations, some or all processing may similarly be performed remotely.

In some embodiments, the system400may not include the switch420and the instrument410, and the system400may thus be configured to (i) detect cable300connections without also (ii) configuring the switch420and (iii) testing the network equipment430. For example, the system400may be used for installation of the network equipment430rather than for testing. Moreover, though the antenna200is discussed herein as an example of the network equipment430, the network equipment430may alternatively be a radio342(FIGS.3A and3B) or other telecommunications network equipment that is configured to provide, or connect to, a telecommunications service. For example, the network equipment430may be an RF filter or a TMA.

FIG.5Ais a block diagram of an electronic device440(FIG.4). The electronic device440may include a processor P and a memory M. The electronic device440may also include interface(s) N and input/output interface(s), such as a display screen DS, a camera C, a mouse ME, a keyboard (or keypad) K, and/or a speaker SP.

In some embodiments, a first electronic device440-1(FIG.4) of a system400(FIG.4) may include the camera C, and a second electronic device440-2(FIG.4) of the system400may not include the camera C. The camera C may be any device that captures image data of network equipment430(FIG.4). The camera C may include one or more sensors and one or more lenses on the sensor(s). For example, the sensor(s) may include one or more image sensors that are configured to capture two-dimensional (2D) images, such as photographs.

The processor P may be coupled to the interface(s) N, which may include wired and/or wireless interfaces. The processor P may be configured to communicate with an instrument410(FIG.4), an RF switch420(FIG.4), the network equipment430, and/or another electronic device440via the interface(s) N. For example, the interface(s) N may include short-range wireless communications circuitry, such as Wi-Fi circuitry and/or BLUETOOTH® circuitry. Moreover, the interface(s) N may include a wired interface such as a wired (e.g., Ethernet) Local Area Network (“LAN”) interface, a USB interface, or a serial interface.

In some embodiments, the display screen DS may comprise a touchscreen display. For example, the electronic device440may be a handheld portable electronic device, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, that may be held by a user. Alternatively, the electronic device440may be a desktop computer or laptop computer.

FIG.5Bis a block diagram that illustrates details of an example processor P and memory M that may be used in accordance with various embodiments. The processor P communicates with the memory M via an address/data bus B. The processor P may be, for example, a commercially available or custom microprocessor. Moreover, the processor P may include multiple processors. The memory M may be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and may be representative of the overall hierarchy of memory devices containing the software and data used to implement various functions of an electronic device440as described herein. The memory M may include, but is not limited to, the following types of devices: cache, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash, Static RAM (SRAM), and Dynamic RAM (DRAM).

As shown inFIG.5B, the memory M may hold various categories of software and data, such as computer readable program code PC and/or an operating system OS. The operating system OS controls operations of an electronic device440. In particular, the operating system OS may manage the resources of the electronic device440and may coordinate execution of various programs by the processor P. For example, the computer readable program code PC, when executed by a processor P of the electronic device440, may cause the processor P to perform any of the operations illustrated in the flowcharts ofFIGS.10A to10H. In some embodiments, different electronic devices440may perform different ones of the operations illustrated in the flowcharts ofFIGS.10A to10H. Also, the first electronic device440-1may, in some embodiments, have a less powerful processor P than the second electronic device440-2, and may otherwise be a more basic computing device.

Moreover, an electronic device440may, in some embodiments, display (via a display screen DS) a software application to a human user (e.g., an installer or test operator) to guide the user through a cable300(FIG.3A,3B, or4) connection process in real-time and/or to confirm that the cables300have been correctly connected. For example, the software application may be operated by the electronic device440using computer readable program code PC and may control one or more image recognition operations described herein.

FIG.6is a schematic block diagram of an RF switch420(FIG.4). The switch420may include multiple levels of switching circuitry, which may be used to automatically connect telecommunications network equipment430(FIG.4) to an RF instrument410(FIG.4). For example, the switch420may be a 2×30 switch having two inputs631-I at first and second switch circuits621-1and621-2, respectively, and thirty outputs633-O at respective switch circuits623. The outputs633-O may be coupled to respective cables300(FIG.4), and the inputs631-I may be coupled to respective ports of a network analyzer410N (FIG.4). Accordingly, the switch420can direct either of the ports of the network analyzer410N to any of the thirty outputs633-O.

The switch circuits621may be, for example, SP4T or SP6T RF switch integrated circuits. Also, the switch circuits623may be, for example, Single-Pole, Double-Throw (“SPDT”) RF switch integrated circuits. Moreover, a middle level of switch circuits622, which may be connected between the switch circuits621and the switch circuits623, may be, for example, SP6T or SP8T RF switch integrated circuits.

In some embodiments, each of the switch circuits621has an output631-O that can be used to daisy-chain multiple switches. The switch420may thus be connected to one or more additional RF switches via the outputs631-O.

FIG.7A-7Dillustrate a sequence of operations of detecting antenna ports240(FIG.2) and detecting cables300(FIG.3A,3B, or4) connected to the ports240. As shown inFIG.7A, the ports240may be disconnected from any cables300when a camera C (FIG.5A) captures one or more initial images of the ports240. In addition to capturing the ports240, images captured by the camera C may include visual indicators245that are on a surface (e.g., a bottom end cap230(FIG.2)) of an antenna200(FIG.2). For example, pairs of ports240may have respective indicators245that distinguish each pair from the others. As an example, each indicator245may have a unique line pattern (e.g., a solid-line pattern or one of various broken-line patterns) that extends around its pair of ports240. Moreover, the color of an indicator245may be captured by the camera C to help distinguish the indicator245.

For simplicity of illustration, the antenna200is shown inFIG.7Aas having twelve ports240-1through240-12. Similarly, the antenna200ofFIGS.7B-7Dincludes the eight ports240-1through240-8ofFIG.3B. In some embodiments, however, the antenna200may have thirty or more ports240.

As shown inFIG.7B, a first electronic device440-1(FIG.4) can perform image recognition of image data generated by the camera C to identify the ports240. For example, the electronic device440-1can generate digital designators740-1through740-8indicating positions on the antenna200that correspond to respective ports240-1through240-8(FIG.3B). In some embodiments, each designator740may appear on a display screen DS of the electronic device440-1in real-time as the electronic device440-1detects a corresponding port240. As an example, the electronic device440-1may compare the image-captured shape/location of a port240with a predetermined port shape/location (e.g., based on the known model of the antenna200) to determine a level of confidence that the port240is a port of the antenna200. The corresponding designator740may thus display the confidence level as a numerical value (e.g., 99%). Moreover, detection of a visual indicator245(FIG.7A) on a surface of the antenna200may increase the confidence level.

Next, as shown inFIG.7C, a person can manually connect cables300to the ports240while the camera C continues (e.g., automatically and continuously) capturing image data of the ports240. Similar to generation of the port designators740, the electronic device440-1can perform image recognition to generate digital designators730that indicate positions on the antenna200where cables300are connected. For example, designators730-3,730-4,730-7, and730-8indicate that the electronic device440-1has detected the cables300-3,300-4,300-7, and300-8at positions of the ports240-3,240-4,240-7, and240-8, respectively. In some embodiments, the designators730, like the designators740, may include a numerical value of a confidence level that a cable300is at a port240.

After all of the ports240are connected to cables300, a second electronic device440-2(FIG.4) can automatically configure an RF switch420(FIG.4) for a test of the antenna200. For example, designators730-1through730-8ofFIG.7Dindicate that all eight ports240-1through240-8are connected to respective cables300-1through300-8.

FIG.7Eillustrates visual indicators V on the cables300. In particular,FIG.7Eshows indicators V-2through V-4, V-7through V-9, and V-11on respective cables300-2through300-4,300-7through300-9, and300-11that are connected to an antenna200. Each indicator V may be unique, which allows the first electronic device440-1to distinguish between different indicators V.

For example,FIG.7F, which is an enlarged view of the indicator V-2, shows that the indicators V may include different respective colors, or different respective combinations of colors. A color combination of the indicator V-2includes a first color of an inner ring710-2and a second color of an outer ring720-2. For example, the inner ring710-2may be yellow and the outer ring720-2may be dark blue. In some embodiments, the rings710-2and720-2may be concentric rings on a cable collar751that can be attached on an end portion of the cable300-2. As an example, the rings710-2and720-2may be on a substantially flat surface of the cable collar751that the camera C faces when the cable300-2is connected to the antenna200.

Other examples of indicators V include different respective polygonal shapes, different respective barcodes (e.g., 2D barcodes, such as Quick Response (“QR”) codes), and different respective strings of alphanumeric characters. As with the rings710-2and720-2, such indicators V may be on respective cable collars751. Alternatively, an indicator V may be on a surface of a cable300, such as on a plastic jacket of the cable300.

In response to identifying each indicator V, the electronic device440-1may, in some embodiments, generate a digital designator730indicating that the cable300is connected to the antenna200. For example, upon identifying the indicator V-2, the electronic device440-1may generate a digital designator730-2indicating that the cable300-2is connected to port240-2. In some embodiments, the designator730-2may include information about the indicator V-2, such as information indicating the colors that the electronic device440-1detects on the indicator V-2. Moreover, the electronic device440-1may use one of various color-filtering techniques to detect the colors on the indicator V-2.

In some embodiments, respective cable collars751may be on opposite ends of each cable300. For example, a human installer may use the electronic device440-1to detect indicators V on opposite ends of each cable300when connecting the cables300(e.g., jumper cables) between a radio342(FIGS.3A and3B) and an antenna200.

FIG.7Gillustrates an antenna200that has thirty ports240that are connected to thirty cables300, respectively. In response to identifying thirty indicators V on the respective cables300, the electronic device440-1may generate thirty designators730indicating that the cables300are connected to the antenna200. Accordingly, the antenna200is not limited to eight, twelve, or twenty ports240that are detectable by the electronic device440-1, but rather may include thirty or more ports240that the electronic device440-1can detect.

FIG.8illustrates frequency groups810,820, and830of antenna ports240. The groups810,820,830may provide RF signals at different respective frequencies, such as 600 Megahertz (MHz), 1800 MHz, and 2600 MHz. In some embodiments, each group may include multiple pairs of ports240. For example, a middle-frequency group820may include first and second pairs820-1and820-2of ports240. Similarly, a low-frequency group810may include first and second pairs810-1and810-2of ports240, and a high-frequency group830may include first and second pairs830-1and830-2of ports240.

Each pair may have a unique visual indicator245(FIG.7A) that the electronic device440-1can detect. Moreover, multiple indicators245within a group may be the same color, which may facilitate accurate connections of the cables300to the ports240by a human test operator or installer. For example, indicators245for the group820may be yellow, indicators245for the group810may be red, and indicators245for the group830may be orange. As an example, an indicator245for the first pair820-1may have a solid yellow line and an indicator245for the second pair820-2may have a broken yellow line.

FIG.9is a schematic block diagram of frequency groups810,820, and830(FIG.8) connected to PIM matrixes900. An RF instrument410(FIG.4) may use the PIM matrixes900to perform PIM testing of the antenna200(FIG.8) that has the frequency groups810,820, and830. For example, the PIM matrixes900may be respective RF switches that are connected to the instrument410, which may be configured to perform PIM testing of the antenna200. As an example, first and second PIM matrixes900-1and900-2may be respective 2×8 RF switches. Accordingly, the first PIM matrix900-1may have eight outputs910coupled to the instrument410, and the second PIM matrix900-2may have eight outputs920coupled to the instrument410. The use of multiple PIM matrixes900, rather than a single large RF switch, may be beneficial because PIM testing may not be as flexible as other tests on the antenna200.

A human test operator may be responsible for connecting every port240of the antenna200to the PIM matrixes900, and for ensuring that each cable300therebetween is connected to the correct frequency group. For example, if a port240is to be tested at a frequency of the group820, then that port240should be connected to a cable300that is designated (e.g., as indicated by a visual indicator V (FIG.7E) and/or by a color of a plastic jacket of the cable300) for that group820. Image recognition according to the present inventive concepts can help the test operator by confirming that each cable300is connected to the correct frequency group.

In some embodiments, a system400(FIG.4) may detect the respective cable300that is connected to each port240on the antenna200and may responsively (i.e., automatically) direct PIM testing using the PIM matrixes900. For example, a first electronic device440-1(FIG.4) may detect the cable300connections, and a second electronic device440-2(FIG.4) may trigger the PIM testing. Moreover, the first electronic device440-1may verify that the cables300are connected to the ports240in a predetermined arrangement. As an example, the first electronic device440-1may compare visual indicators V (FIG.7E) that it detects on respective cable collars751(FIG.7F) with a predetermined mapping of the cables300to the ports240.

FIGS.10A-10Hare flowcharts illustrating operations including detecting cables300connected to telecommunications network equipment430. As shown inFIG.10A, the operations may include using image recognition to detect (Block1010) ports240(FIG.2) of wireless telecommunications network equipment430W (FIG.4). For example, respective positions of the ports240may be detected relative to each other before cables300(FIGS.3A and3B) are connected to the ports240. Moreover, the operations may include using image recognition to detect (Block1020) the cables300as, and/or after, they are connected to the ports240.

In some embodiments, a first electronic device440-1(FIG.4) may perform the operations ofFIG.10A. Moreover, in some embodiments, the first electronic device440-1may capture images of the equipment430W and may transmit image data to the cloud (i.e., one or more servers that are remote to the first electronic device440-1) for image processing. Accordingly, the cloud may perform the image recognition operations ofFIG.10Aand may transmit results of the image recognition operations to the first electronic device440-1, which may then display the results to a human user of the first electronic device440-1.

Referring toFIG.10B, the equipment430W may be an antenna200(FIG.2). Accordingly, detecting (Block1010) ports240may include detecting (Block1010A) ports240of the antenna200. In some embodiments, this may begin upon placement of the antenna200on a table405(FIG.4), which may be a test bench. For example, the first electronic device440-1may use image recognition software along with a camera C (FIG.5A) to detect the antenna200and each of its ports240.

Moreover, in response to detecting (Block1020) cable300connections at the ports240, a system400(FIG.4) may assign (Block1030) the ports240to an RF switch420(FIG.4). For example, the system400may include a second electronic device440-2(FIG.4) that assigns the ports240. In some embodiments, the second electronic device440-2may trigger testing (Block1040) of the antenna200by an RF instrument410(FIG.4) that uses the switch420to connect to the antenna200.

As shown inFIG.10C, detecting (Block1020) cable300connections may include capturing (Block1020-1) image data of cables300that are connected to ports240of the antenna200. For example, the first electronic device440-1may control a camera C to capture at least one image of the antenna200. Moreover, detecting (Block1020) cable300connections may include processing (Block1020-2) the image(s) to generate data regarding the cable300connections. Such image processing may be performed by the first electronic device440-1and/or performed remotely by the cloud and then communicated to the first electronic device440-1. Accordingly, the first electronic device440-1may, in some embodiments, receive data from the cloud regarding image recognition results (e.g., data that identifies detected ports240and/or detected cable300connections). In some embodiments, the first electronic device440-1may use image recognition to generate the connection data, and/or may transfer (Block1025) the connection data within the system400, such as by transmitting the connection data to the second electronic device440-2.

FIG.10Calso shows that assigning (Block1030) the ports240to the switch420may include mapping (Block1030M) the ports240to ports of the switch420. For example, the second electronic device440-2may assign a first port240-1of the antenna200to a seventh port of the switch420, a second port240-2of the antenna200to a third port of the switch420, and so forth until every port240of the antenna200is mapped to a respective port of the switch420. In particular, the second electronic device440-2may use data regarding detection of the ports240and/or connection data regarding the cables300that it receives from the first electronic device440-1to map the ports240. The second electronic device440-2may also use information regarding the model of the antenna200when mapping ports240to the switch420, as different antennas may have different port layouts. Moreover, testing (Block1040) the antenna200may include connecting (Block1040C) a first port or a second port of the instrument410(e.g., a network analyzer410N) to the ports240via the switch420.

Referring toFIG.10D, processing (Block1020-2) the image(s) may include identifying (Block1020-2V) different visual indicators V (FIG.7E) on the cables300. Moreover, processing (Block1020-2) the image(s) may include identifying (Block1020-2P) different respective positions of the cables300on the antenna200. For example, detected positions of the indicators V may be used to identify positions of the cables300relative to each other and/or relative to the ports240.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.10E, processing (Block1020-2) the image(s) may include determining (Block1020-2F), such as verifying, that the cables300are connected to corresponding frequency groups810,820, and830(FIG.8) of the ports240. In response, the second electronic device440-2may trigger testing (Block1040), such as PIM testing (Block1040P), of the antenna200.

Referring toFIG.10F, processing (Block1020-2) the image(s) may include determining (Block1020-2M) that at least one cable300is misconnected to the antenna200. In response, the first electronic device440-1may provide (Block1025M) a user notification of the misconnection(s). For example, the first electronic device440-1may provide the notification via a display screen DS (FIG.5A) and/or speaker SP (FIG.5A) of the first electronic device440-1. As another example, the first electronic device440-1may transmit the notification within or outside of the system400via an interface N (FIG.5A) of the first electronic device440-1.

As shown inFIG.10G, the system400may be used to configure an RF switch420. For example, after the first electronic device440-1detects (Block1010) the ports240, a human test operator may connect (Block1015) the cables300to the ports240. In some embodiments, the cables300may be port-agnostic cables that can each be connected to any of the ports240. The cables300thus may not necessarily be assigned to predetermined ones of the ports240. Accordingly, a human test operator can quickly connect the cables300to the ports240in any arrangement, without needing to manually match the cables300to the ports240in a predetermined arrangement.

Because an RF switch420used for return loss, isolation, and pattern testing can connect either port of a network analyzer410N to any port240of the antenna200, the antenna200may be tested with any configuration and in any orientation, as long as connections between the cables300and the ports240are tracked. Accordingly, the present inventive concepts may use a vision system that automatically detects where each cable300is on the antenna200. Each cable300, and/or each port240, may have a unique visual identifier that image detection software can identify. This information can then be provided to testing software that the system400uses before a test to configure a pattern of the switch420.

The first electronic device440-1may detect (Block1020) each cable300connection in real-time as a person connects the cables300to the ports240, and/or may detect the connections after all (or after one or more groups) of the cables300are connected. Moreover, assigning (Block1030) the ports240to an RF switch420may include controlling calibration (Block1030C) of the switch420, which is connected to at least one of the cables300. For example, the second electronic device440-2may calibrate the switch420in response to receiving data from the first electronic device440-1regarding the connections. After calibrating the switch420, the cables300may be assigned to specific ports of the switch420.

Before calibrating the switch420, however, the cables may be port-agnostic with respect to the ports of the switch and with respect to the ports240of the antenna200. Conventionally, a human test operator must connect a specific cable300among a bundle of cables300to calibrate the switch420. By contrast, the present inventive concepts allow the test operator to connect any cable300in the bundle to a port240and let the system400automatically detect which cable300is connected. This saves the test operator time that would otherwise be spent finding specific cables300in the bundle.

Referring toFIG.10H, processing (Block1020-2) the image(s) may include comparing (Block1020-2C) the cable300connections with predetermined connections for the antenna200. In response to a result of the comparison, the system400may notify (Block1025C) an operator of a base station of the result. For example, the first electronic device440-1and/or the second electronic device440-2may transmit a notification over a wireless (e.g., cellular) network to the operator and/or may display a notification on a display screen DS (FIG.5A) of the first electronic device440-1. In some embodiments, the operator (e.g., an installer) may use the first electronic device440-1to (i) capture photographs of one or more components on a cellular tower, (ii) perform image recognition to construct a wiring diagram for the component(s), (iii) compare the wiring diagram to a predetermined wiring diagram, and then (iv) notify the operator by displaying a result of the comparison on the display screen DS.

Though some of the flowcharts are discussed with respect to an antenna200, the antenna200is provided as an example of telecommunications network equipment430to which operations in the flowcharts may be applied. Accordingly, the operations may be applied to (e.g., repeated for or used instead for) other equipment430, such as a cellular radio342(FIGS.3A and3B). For example, the operations may be used to detect cable300connections to the radio342and/or to test performance of the radio342. Moreover, the operations may, in some embodiments, be performed in the field with respect to jumper cables for a cellular base station. As an example, the operations may be performed by an electronic device440at or near (e.g., within one hundred feet of) the base station. The present inventive concepts can thus help to reduce installation errors when connecting cables300(e.g., jumper cables) between the radio342and the antenna200.

A system400(FIG.4) that uses image recognition to detect connections of cables300to respective ports240of telecommunications network equipment430according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts may provide a number of advantages. These advantages include faster and/or more accurate cable300connections by a human operator (e.g., an installer connecting a radio342(FIGS.3A and3B) to an antenna200(FIGS.3A and3B)), even with a large number (e.g., twenty, thirty, or more) of cable300connections per unit of equipment430. The present inventive concepts can thus save operator time and reduce potential failures of equipment430.

In some embodiments, the system400may capture successive images of a test bench. Upon detecting the antenna200, the system400may use a neural network and machine learning to identify ports240of the antenna200and test leads (e.g., cables300). In some embodiments, once the system400detects a test lead, the system400may determine a unique identifier of the test lead by using color filtering. The system400may use image recognition software to calculate a location of the unique identifier on the antenna200and a corresponding port240. In response to detecting all of the test leads, the system400may configure an RF switch420(FIG.4) and set frequencies for the ports240. Accordingly, the system400allows a human test operator to quickly connect the antenna200(or other equipment430) for testing without the operator needing to have knowledge of the antenna200or how it needs to be connected or tested. The system400may also reduce errors during factory tests and may not have to rely on the experience of the operator to ensure proper testing. Moreover, the system400can be used to verify connections before a test in which multiple RF instruments410(FIG.4) are connected to an antenna200.

The present inventive concepts have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present inventive concepts are not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are intended to fully and completely disclose the present inventive concepts to those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.

Herein, the terms “attached,” “connected,” “interconnected,” “contacting,” “mounted,” and the like can mean either direct or indirect attachment or contact between elements, unless stated otherwise.

Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. As used herein the expression “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.