Patent Publication Number: US-2023163442-A1

Title: Mount for coupling an antenna alignment device to an antenna with non-planar external surface

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Modern communication systems rely heavily on wireless signals transmitted and received by antennas. On the transmit side, antennas receive fluctuating electrical currents through wires from connected circuitry and generate wireless signals as electromagnetic fields corresponding to the fluctuating electrical currents. On the receive side, antennas convert electromagnetic fields of the received wireless signals to electrical currents carried through wires to the connected circuitry. Because of directional oscillation of electrical and magnetic fields, wireless signaling through the transmittal and receipt of electromagnetic fields is inherently directional: heavily influenced by the location of the signal source, multipathing, beamforming, and/or other aspects associated with electromagnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation. Therefore, for an optimal bandwidth and signal strength, antennas—both on the transmit and receive sides—may require precise alignments with respect to each other. 
     The alignments are generally performed using an antenna alignment device. The antenna alignment device is coupled to an antenna to measure the antenna&#39;s alignment parameters such as roll, tilt, and azimuth. The coupling between the antenna alignment device and the antenna is provided by a mount or a bracket. A coupling mount therefore may have to provide engagement surfaces (or engagement components generally) to each of the antenna and the antenna alignment device. 
     Conventional mounts generally have planar form factors, e.g., having perpendicular walls. While the planar form factors of these conventional mounts may be well suited for antennas with similar planar external surfaces, these conventional mounts are generally not suitable for antennas with other form factors, such as antennas with curved surfaces. Furthermore, the antennas may have warping, protrusions, and other imperfections that may impinge on the stability of (and generally, the compatibility of) a planar mount that has to be coupled flush with a planar antenna surface. 
     A significant improvement of the mounts for coupling antennas with antenna alignment devices is therefore desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments disclosed herein attempt to solve the aforementioned technical problems and may provide other solutions as well. An example mount may include a strap (or any other type of clamping mechanism) engaging with an external surface of an antenna. The strap may be connected to a strap base with a canted wall also engaging with the external surface of the antenna. The engagement of the canted wall may be through an abutment of the canted wall against the corresponding external surface of the antenna at a single point or along a single line. Because the entirety of the canted wall does not have to be flush with the corresponding external surface of the antenna, the mount can couple to any kind of antenna form factor such as curved antennas and antennas with imperfections and protrusions. 
     In an example embodiment, a mount configured to couple an antenna alignment device to an antenna is provided. The mount may include a strap configured to engage with an external surface of an antenna and maintain a coupling between an antenna alignment device and the external surface of the antenna; and a strap base, that the strap is connected to, comprising a wall canted at an angle configured to form an engagement contact with a corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna, the engagement contact comprising a single point of contact formed by an abutment of an edge of the wall with the corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna. 
     In another example embodiment, another mount configured to couple an antenna alignment device to an antenna is provided. The mount may include a first portion configured to engage with a first external surface of an antenna and maintain a coupling between an antenna alignment device and the antenna; and a second portion having a wall canted at an angle configured to form an engagement contact with a second external surface of the antenna, the engagement contact comprising a single point of contact formed by an abutment of an edge of the wall with the second external surface of the antenna. 
     In yet another example embodiment, a method is provided and may include engaging a strap with an external surface of an antenna to maintain a coupling between an antenna alignment device and the external surface of the antenna; and abutting a canted wall, formed at the strap base that the strap is connected to, against a corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna such that: an edge of the canted wall forms a single point of engagement contact with the corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    shows an example environment for antenna alignment, based on the principles disclosed herein. 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  show different perspective views of an example environment of using a mount for coupling an antenna alignment device with an antenna, based on the principles disclosed herein. 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  show different perspective views of another example environment of using a mount for coupling an antenna alignment device with an antenna, based on the principles disclosed herein. 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 C  show different perspective views of another example environment of using a mount for coupling an antenna alignment device with an antenna, based on the principles disclosed herein. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  show different perspective views of another example environment of using a mount for coupling an antenna alignment device with an antenna, based on the principles disclosed herein. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  show different perspective views of yet another example environment of using mount for coupling an antenna alignment device with an antenna, based on the principles disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS 
     Antenna alignment measurement is generally predicated on a proper coupling between the antenna and the antenna alignment device. The existing mounts are too restrictive—generally configured for antennas with ideal planar form factors—and therefore not be compatible with antennas having curved form factors or having other imperfections in their form factors. Described herein are examples of mounts that attempt to reduce such incompatibility and allow for more flexibility in coupling to different types of antenna form factors. 
     The several examples of mounts described herein may provide a more flexible mounting arrangement between an antenna alignment device and antennas with different form factors. An example mount may include a clamp, e.g., a strap clamp, a lip clamp, an extension clamp, and/or any other type of clamp, which may have a first portion (e.g., strap) that may engage with a first external surface of an antenna. For instance, the first portion may include a strap that may wrap around the antenna. A second portion of the mount may include a base structure (e.g., a strap base) that may engage with a second external surface of the antenna. For instance, the base structure may have one or more components that may abut against the second external surface of the antenna. 
     For example, the base structure of the mount may comprise a canted wall. The canted wall may be at an angle to other walls in the base structure, e.g., the canted wall may not necessarily be perpendicular to the other walls. When the base is engaged to the antenna at a corresponding external surface, an edge of the canted wall may abut against the external surface at a single point or a single line of contact. In other words, the entirely of the canted wall may not have to be flush with the external surface of the antenna. Because of the single point (or single line) of contact in the external surface of the antenna, the antenna does not have to be in a planar form factor. The mount has flexibility to be engaged with curved surfaces, protruding surfaces, and surfaces with imperfections. 
     The base structure may comprise a second canted wall that may couple to the antenna alignment device. The second canted wall, based on its angled orientation to the other parts of the base structure, may facilitate an angled mounting of the antenna alignment device. Such angled mounting may be desired when the antenna has a larger form factor that may physically interfere with the antenna alignment device. For instance, cylindrical antennas with larger radii may have curvatures that may obstruct a non-angular mounting of the antenna alignment devices. The second canted wall may further allow for another layer of flexibility of mounting the antenna alignment device at an angled orientation. 
     Although the below description has several examples of mounts using strap clamps, these are just provided for illustrative purposes only; and any other form of clamping mechanism (e.g., lip clamp, extension clamp) should be considered within the scope of this disclosure. 
       FIG.  1    shows an example environment  100  for antenna alignment, based on the principles disclosed herein. The example environment  100  includes an antenna  104 , which may be disposed on a pole  106 . The pole  106  is just an example, and the antenna  104  may be located on any type of structure such as an antenna tower, rooftop, treetop, building wall, vehicle top, satellite, and/or any other type of structure. Furthermore, the antenna  104  can be any type of antenna, including a dome antenna, a sector antenna, a microwave antenna, an omnidirectional antenna, a loop antenna, a multibeam antenna, a Yagi-type antenna, and/or any type of antenna that may have to be aligned for optimal performance. An antenna alignment device  102  may be used for aligning the antenna  104 . The antenna alignment device  102  may output alignment information such as roll, tilt, and/or azimuth. Using the alignment information, a user may align the antenna  104  such that it may have a desired roll, tilt, and/or azimuth. 
     The antenna alignment device  102  may be coupled to the antenna  104  using a mount  108 . The mount  108  may be any kind of mechanical coupling equipment (e.g., mounting bracket) that may allow the antenna alignment device  102  to be coupled to the antenna  104 , decoupled from the antenna  104 , and or adjusted vis-à-vis the antenna  104 . The mount  108  may include any type of coupling mechanism such as lip clamps, extension clamps, and strap clamps. The antenna  104  may not necessarily have planar external surfaces, and this disclosure describes several non-limiting examples of mounts  108  that that may couple the antenna  104  with non-planar external surface with the antenna alignment device  102 . 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  show different perspective views of an example environment  200  of using a mount for coupling an antenna alignment device with an antenna, based on the principles disclosed herein. Particularly,  FIG.  2 A  shows a front view,  FIG.  2 B  shows a back view, and  FIG.  2 C  shows a top view of a mount  208  coupling an antenna alignment device  202  with an antenna  204 . In the illustrated example environment  200 , the antenna  204  may be a 3 foot diameter microwave antenna. 
     The mount  208  may include a strap  212  and a strap base  218 . The strap  212  may engage with the external surface of the antenna  204 . To facilitate the engagement, the strap  212  may be connected to the strap base  218 . Within the strap base  218 , there may be a ratchet  216  that may be used to tighten or loosen the engagement of the strap  212  with the external surface of the antenna  204 . The strap base  218  may also provide a coupling (e.g., a housing to receive a screw) for the antenna alignment device  202 . 
     The strap base  218  may further comprise a canted wall  210 . The canted wall  210  may be at an angle (e.g., not necessarily perpendicular) to the other walls of the strap base  218 . Due to this angle, the canted wall  210  may have only one point of contact (alternatively, a single line of contact) with the external surface of the antenna  204 . The point of contact (or line of contact) may be along an edge of the canted wall  210  that may abut against the external surface of the antenna. This edge abutment along a single point (or single line) of contact may allow the mount  208  to be coupled to antennas of non-planar form factors. For instance, the mount  208  may be coupled to a curved external surface of the antenna  204 . The curved surface may not necessarily be the designed form factor of the antenna  204 . The curved surface (or any other type of non-planar surface) may also be formed by warping and/or other imperfections within the surface of the antenna, and the canted wall  210  may be generally abutted to any point in the curve. 
     The canted wall  210  may allow for more flexibility and convenience of attachment compared to conventional planar brackets (often having perpendicular walls) that may have to be flush with the planar surfaces of an antenna. Because of the single point (or a single line) of contact, the form factor of the canted wall  210  does not necessarily have to match the form factor of the antenna, unlike the conventional planar brackets. Furthermore, as a flush (or a snug) fit is not necessarily required, the canted wall  210  may allow the strap base  218  to be clear from other obstructions within the antenna  204 . For example, there may be components protruding from the external surface of the antenna  204  such as wires, imperfections, and/or the shape of the antenna  204  itself; and the canted wall  210  may allow for the strap base  218  to be clear of the protruding components. 
     As shown, the strap  212  may engage with a first portion of the external surface of the antenna  204  and the canted wall  210  may engage with a second portion of the external surface of the antenna  204 . The first portion and the second portion may be different to maintain a separate engagement of the strap  212  and the canted wall  210  with the antenna  204 . Alternatively, the first and second portions may be at least partially overlapping for the strap  212  and the canted wall  210  to engage the antenna  204  at nearby locations or the same location. The force of engagement of the strap  212  and the canted wall  210  may be controlled using the ratchet  216 . For example, when the ratchet  216  is tightened, the abutment force between the canted wall  210  and the corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna  204  may increase. When the ratchet  216  is loosened, the abutment force between the canted wall  210  and the corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna  204  may decrease. 
     The strap base  218  may also include a second canted wall  214  that may be also be used for coupling the antenna alignment device  202  with the strap base  218 . Although not shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C , the coupling of the antenna alignment device  202  with the canted wall  214  may facilitate an angular orientation of the antenna alignment device  202  with respect to the antenna  204  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  5 A- 5 C ). 
       FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  show different perspective views of another example environment  300  of using a mount for coupling an antenna alignment device with an antenna, based on the principles disclosed herein. Particularly,  FIG.  3 A  shows a front view,  FIG.  3 B  shows a back view, and  FIG.  3 C  shows a top view of a mount  308  coupling an antenna alignment device  302  with an antenna  304 . In the illustrated example environment  300 , the antenna  304  may be 76 mm omnidirectional antenna. 
     The mount  308  may include a strap  312  and a strap base  318 . The strap  312  may engage with the external surface of the antenna  304 . To facilitate the engagement, the strap  312  may be connected to the strap base  318 . Within the strap base  318 , there may be a ratchet  316  that may be used to tighten or loosen the engagement of the strap  312  with the external surface of the antenna  304 . The strap base  318  may also provide a coupling (e.g., a housing to receive a screw) for the antenna alignment device  302 . 
     The strap base  318  may further comprise a canted wall  310 . The canted wall  310  may be at an angle (e.g., not necessarily perpendicular) to the other walls of the strap base  318 . Due to this angle, the canted wall  310  may have only one point of contact (alternatively, a single line of contact) with the external surface of the antenna  304 . The point of contact (or line of contact) may be along an edge of the canted wall  310  that may abut against the external surface of the antenna. This edge abutment along a single point (or single line) of contact may allow the mount  308  to be coupled to antennas of non-planar form factors. For instance, the mount  308  may be coupled to a curved external surface of the antenna  304 . The curved surface may not necessarily be the designed form factor of the antenna  304 . The curved surface (or any other type of non-planar surface) may also be formed by warping and/or other imperfections within the surface of the antenna, and the canted wall  310  may generally be abutted to any point in the curve. 
     The canted wall  310  may allow for more flexibility and convenience of attachment compared to conventional planar brackets (often having perpendicular walls) that may have to be flush with the planar surfaces of an antenna. Because of the single point (or a single line) of contact, the form factor of the canted wall  310  does not necessarily have to match the form factor of the antenna, unlike the conventional planar brackets. Furthermore, as a flush (or a snug) fit is not necessarily required, the canted wall  310  may allow the strap base  318  to be clear from other obstructions within the antenna  304 . For example, there may be components protruding from the external surface of the antenna  304  such as wires, imperfections, and/or the shape of antenna  304  itself; and the canted wall  310  may allow for the strap base  318  to be clear of the protruding components. 
     As shown, the strap  312  may engage with a first portion of the external surface of the antenna  304  and the canted wall  310  may engage with a second portion of the external surface of the antenna  304 . The first portion and the second portion may be different to maintain a separate engagement of the strap  312  and the canted wall  310  with the antenna  304 . Alternatively, the first and second portions may be at least partially overlapping for the strap  312  and the canted wall  310  to engage the antenna  304  at nearby locations or the same location. The force of engagement of the strap  312  and the canted wall  310  may be controlled using the ratchet  316 . For example, when the ratchet  316  is tightened, the abutment force between the canted wall  310  and the corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna  304  may increase. When the ratchet  316  is loosened, the abutment force between the canted wall  310  and the corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna  304  may decrease. 
     The strap base  318  may also include a second canted wall  314  that may be also be used for coupling the antenna alignment device  302  with the strap base  318 . Although not shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C , the coupling of the antenna alignment device  302  with the canted wall  314  may facilitate an angular orientation of the antenna alignment device  302  with respect to the antenna  304  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  5 A- 5 C ). 
       FIGS.  4 A- 4 C  show different perspective views of another example environment  400  of using a mount for coupling an antenna alignment device with an antenna, based on the principles disclosed herein. Particularly,  FIG.  4 A  shows a front view,  FIG.  4 B  shows a back view, and  FIG.  4 C  shows a top view of a mount  408  coupling an antenna alignment device  402  with an antenna  404 . In the illustrated example environment  400 , the antenna  404  may be a 200 mm sector antenna. 
     The mount  408  may include a strap  412  and a strap base  418 . The strap  412  may engage with the external surface of the antenna  404 . To facilitate the engagement, the strap  412  may be connected to the strap base  418 . Within the strap base  418 , there may be a ratchet  416  that may be used to tighten or loosen the engagement of the strap  412  with the external surface of the antenna  404 . The strap base  418  may also provide a coupling (e.g., a housing to receive a screw) for the antenna alignment device  402 . 
     The strap base  418  may further comprise a canted wall  410 . The canted wall  410  may be at an angle (e.g., not necessarily perpendicular) to the other walls of the strap base  418 . Due to this angle, the canted wall  410  may have only one point of contact (alternatively, a single line of contact) with the external surface of the antenna  404 . The point of contact (or line of contact) may be along an edge of the canted wall  410  that may abut against the external surface of the antenna  404 . This edge abutment along a single point (or single line) of contact may allow the mount  408  to be coupled to antennas of non-planar form factors. For instance, the mount  408  may be coupled to a curved external surface of the antenna  404 . The curved surface may not necessarily be the designed form factor of the antenna  404 . The curved surface (or any other type of non-planar surface) may also be formed by warping and/or other imperfections within the surface of the antenna, and the canted wall  410  may generally be abutted to any point in the curve. 
     The canted wall  410  may allow for more flexibility and convenience of attachment compared to conventional planar brackets (often having perpendicular walls) that may have to be flush with the planar surfaces of an antenna. Because of the single point (or a single line) of contact, the form factor of the canted wall  410  does not necessarily have to match the form factor of the antenna, unlike the conventional planar brackets. Furthermore, as a flush (or a snug) fit is not necessarily required, the canted wall  410  may allow the strap base  418  to be clear from other obstructions within the antenna  404 . For example, there may be components protruding from the external surface of the antenna  404  such as wires, imperfections, or the shape of antenna  404  itself; and the canted wall  410  may allow for the strap base  418  to be clear of the protruding components. 
     As shown, the strap  412  may engage with a first portion of the external surface of the antenna  404  and the canted wall  410  may engage with a second portion of the external surface of the antenna  404 . The first portion and the second portion may be different to maintain a separate engagement of the strap  412  and the canted wall  410  with the antenna  404 . Alternatively, the first and second portions may be at least partially overlapping for the strap  412  and the canted wall  410  to engage the antenna  404  at nearby locations or the same location. The force of engagement of the strap  412  and the canted wall  410  may be controlled using the ratchet  416 . For example, when the ratchet  416  is tightened, the abutment force between the canted wall  410  and the corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna  404  may increase. When the ratchet  416  is loosened, the abutment force between the canted wall  410  and the corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna  404  may decrease. 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  show different perspective views of another example environment  500  of using a mount for coupling an antenna alignment device with an antenna, based on the principles disclosed herein. Particularly,  FIG.  5 A  shows a front view,  FIG.  5 B  shows a back view, and  FIG.  5 C  shows a top view of a mount  508  coupling an antenna alignment device  502  with an antenna  504 . In the illustrated example environment  500 , the antenna  504  may be a 457 mm sector antenna. 
     The mount  508  may include a strap  512  and a strap base  518 . The strap  512  may engage with the external surface of the antenna  504 . To facilitate the engagement, the strap  512  may be connected to the strap base  518 . Within the strap base  518 , there may be a ratchet  516  that may be used to tighten or loosen the engagement of the strap  512  with the external surface of the antenna  504 . The strap base  518  may also provide a coupling (e.g., a housing to receive a screw) for the antenna alignment device  502 . 
     The strap base  518  may further comprise a canted wall  510 . The canted wall  510  may be at an angle (e.g., not necessarily perpendicular) to the other walls of the strap base  518 . Due to this angle, the canted wall  510  may have a single point of contact (alternatively, a single line of contact) with the external surface of the antenna  504 . The point of contact (or line of contact) may be along an edge of the canted wall  510  that may be abutted against the external surface of the antenna  504 . This edge abutment along a single point (or single line) of contact may allow the mount  508  to be coupled to antennas of non-planar form factors. For instance, the mount  508  may be coupled to a curved external surface of the antenna  504 . The curved surface may not necessarily be the designed form factor of the antenna  504 . The curved surface (or any other type of non-planar surface) may also be formed by warping and/or other imperfections within the surface of the antenna, and the canted wall  510  may generally be abutted to any point in the curve. 
     The canted wall  510  may allow for more flexibility and convenience of attachment compared to conventional planar brackets (often having perpendicular walls) that may have to be flush with the planar surfaces of an antenna. Because of the single point (or a single line) of contact, the form factor of the canted wall  510  does not necessarily have to match the form factor of the antenna, unlike the conventional planar brackets. Furthermore, as a flush (or a snug) fit is not necessarily required, the canted wall  510  may allow the strap base  518  to be clear from other obstructions within the antenna  504 . For example, there may be components protruding from the external surface of the antenna  504  such as wires, imperfections, or the shape of antenna  504  itself; and the canted wall  510  may allow for the strap base  518  to be clear of the protruding components. 
     As shown, the strap  512  may engage with a first portion of the external surface of the antenna  504  and the canted wall  510  may engage with a second portion of the external surface of the antenna  504 . The first portion and the second portion may be different to maintain a separate engagement of the strap  512  and the canted wall  510  with the antenna  504 . Alternatively, the first and second portions may be at least partially overlapping for the strap  512  and the canted wall  510  to engage the antenna  504  at nearby locations or the same location. The force of engagement of the strap  512  and the canted wall  510  may be controlled using the ratchet  516 . For example, when the ratchet  516  is tightened, the abutment force between the canted wall  510  and the corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna  504  may increase. When the ratchet  516  is loosened, the abutment force between the canted wall  510  and the corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna  504  may decrease. 
     The strap base  518  may also include a second canted wall  514  that may be also be used for coupling the antenna alignment device  502  with the strap base  518 . As seen in  FIGS.  5 B- 5 C , the coupling of the antenna alignment device  502  to the second canted wall  514  allows for an angular orientation of the antenna alignment device  502  with respect to the antenna  504  (compared to the orientation shown in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 C ). This angular orientation may allow the antenna alignment device  502  to clear the physical interference from the relatively larger external surface of the antenna  504 . 
       FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  show different perspective views of yet another example environment  600  of using a mount for coupling an antenna alignment device with an antenna, based on the principles disclosed herein. Particularly,  FIG.  6 A  shows a front view,  FIG.  6 B  shows a back view,  FIG.  6 C  shows a top left hand view, and  FIG.  6 D  shows a top right hand view of a mount  608  coupling an antenna alignment device  602  with an antenna  604 . In the illustrated example environment  600 , the antenna  504  may be 640 mm multibeam antenna. 
     The mount  608  may include a strap  612  and a strap base  618 . The strap  612  may engage with the external surface of the antenna  604 . To facilitate the engagement, the strap  612  may be connected to the strap base  618 . Within the strap base  618 , there may be a ratchet  616  that may be used to tighten or loosen the engagement of the strap  612  with the external surface of the antenna  604 . The strap base  618  may also provide a coupling (e.g., a housing to receive a screw) for the antenna alignment device  602 . 
     The strap base  618  may further comprise a canted wall  610 . The canted wall  610  may be at an angle (e.g., not necessarily perpendicular) to the other walls of the strap base  618 ). Due to this angle, the canted wall  610  may have a single point of contact (alternatively, a single line of contact) with the external surface of the antenna  604 . The point of contact (or line of contact) may be along an edge of the canted wall  610  that may abut against the external surface of the antenna  604 . This edge abutment along a single point (or single line) of contact may allow the mount  608  to be coupled to antennas of non-planar form factors. For instance, the mount  608  may be coupled to a curved external surface of the antenna  604 . The curved surface may not necessarily be the designed form factor of the antenna  604 . The curved surface (or any other type of non-planar surface) may also be formed by warping and/or other imperfections within the surface of the antenna, and the canted wall  610  may be generally abutted to any point in the curve. 
     The canted wall  610  may allow for more flexibility and convenience of attachment compared to conventional planar brackets (often having perpendicular walls) that may have to be flush with the planar surfaces of an antenna. Because of the single point (or a single line) of contact, the form factor of the canted wall  610  does not necessarily have to match the form factor of the antenna, unlike the conventional planar brackets. Furthermore, as a flush (or a snug) fit is not necessarily required, the canted wall  610  may allow the strap base  618  to be clear from other obstructions within the antenna  604 . For example, there may be components protruding from the external surface of the antenna  604  such as wires, imperfections, and/or the shape of the antenna  604  itself; and the canted wall  610  may allow for the strap base  618  to be clear of the protruding components. 
     As shown, the strap  612  may engage with a first portion of the external surface of the antenna  604  and the canted wall  610  may engage with a second portion of the external surface of the antenna  604 . The first portion and the second portion may be different to maintain a separate engagement of the strap  612  and the canted wall  610  with the antenna  604 . Alternatively, the first and second portions may be at least partially overlapping for the strap  612  and the canted wall  610  to engage the antenna  604  at nearby locations or the same location. The force of engagement of the strap  612  and the canted wall  610  may be controlled using the ratchet  616 . For example, when the ratchet  616  is tightened, the abutment force between the canted wall  610  and the corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna  604  may increase. When the ratchet  616  is loosened, the abutment force between the canted wall  610  and the corresponding portion of the external surface of the antenna  604  may decrease. 
     The strap base  618  may also include a second canted wall  614  that may be also be used for coupling the antenna alignment device  602  with the strap base  618 . Although not shown in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D , the coupling of the antenna alignment device  602  with the canted wall  614  may facilitate an angular orientation of the antenna alignment device  602  with respect to the antenna  604  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  5 A- 5 C ). 
     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope. In fact, after reading the above description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement alternative embodiments. For example, other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. 
     In addition, it should be understood that any figures which highlight the functionality and advantages are presented for example purposes only. The disclosed methodology and system are each sufficiently flexible and configurable such that they may be utilized in ways other than that shown. 
     Although the term “at least one” may often be used in the specification, claims and drawings, the terms “a”, “an”, “the”, “said”, etc. also signify “at least one” or “the at least one” in the specification, claims and drawings. 
     Finally, it is the applicant&#39;s intent that only claims that include the express language “means for” or “step for” be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). Claims that do not expressly include the phrase “means for” or “step for” are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).