Patent ID: 8299962

Claim:
A method for detecting the alignment of a multi-band frequency telecommunications antenna including a bulkhead connector, the method comprising the steps: providing a single directional sensor system comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), a microprocessor, a first and second connector connected to said PCB, a multi-axis tilt sensor having multiple individual communication ports adapted for measuring tilt and slant of a telecommunications antenna and a weatherproof housing; providing said telecommunications antenna with multiple remote electrical tilt (RET) remote control units (RCUs) each associated with one of the multi-band frequencies; providing a user interface adapted for reporting directional data obtained by said directional sensor system to the user; providing at least one communications cable; connecting one of said tilt sensor communication ports to each of said at least two RCUs; connecting said user interface to said single directional sensor system with said at least one communications cable; mounting the directional sensor system in-line with said bulkhead connector and perpendicular to the antenna; obtaining directional data associated with the telecommunications antenna with said directional sensor system via said user interface; determining the proper aiming direction for the communications beam; comparing the obtained directional antenna data with the determined proper aiming direction; aligning said telecommunications antenna with the determined proper aiming direction; providing the measured tilt and slant from the single directional sensor system to each respective RCU; and controlling the alignment of the antenna based on the measured tilt and slant and the respective frequency.